WASHINGTON: NO FAILURE IN NEGOTIATING PROCESS ON KARABAKH

Regnum, Russia
March 7 2006

“I do not believe talks between presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
in Rambouillet may be considered as failure. Also, I do not think, that
the talks reached a deadlock and necessity to change negotiating format
is imminent, because OSCE Minsk Group has exhausted its abilities,”
stated yesterday adviser to US State Department under-Secretary on
Europe and Eurasia Matthew Bryza.

As a REGNUM correspondent in Yerevan informs, Bryza believes, that
parties of Karabakh conflict are “very close to settlement, but
they should make several most difficult steps.” “Those questions,
which stayed uncoordinated, are most difficult ones and they need
formulation of clear position from the both heads of states,” the
American diplomat stressed. “If heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan fix
accurate deadlines to achieve the agreement, the USA, in its turn, will
render maximum assistance to solve the problem,” stated Matthew Bryza.

At the same time, the adviser to US State Department under-Secretary
practically refute information, that official Washington is going to
recall its ambassador in Yerevan John Evans, because of his statements
concerning international acknowledgement of Armenian Genocide in
Ottoman Turkey in the beginning of last century.

Additionally, Matthew Bryza expressed his anxiety about destruction
of Armenian cultural heritage in Nakhichevan (Azerbaijan). “Events,
happening in Nakhichevan, are awful tragedy and we focus our attention
on them,” stated he, stressing that Washington brings its anxiety to
the notice of the Azerbaijani authorities.