US URGES BAKU TO REFRAIN FROM WAR
AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
March 16 2006
The United States has said the parties to Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh
conflict should stick to a negotiated settlement, despite the
fruitless outcome of talks between the Azeri and Armenian leaders,
which was followed by Azerbaijan’s threats to launch war to solve
the long-standing dispute.
The resumption of military action will not solve the problem even
in 20 years, said the US co-chair of the mediating OSCE Minsk Group,
Steven Mann, who visited Baku, along with the US Department of State
Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried,
to discuss the Garabagh problem with the top Azerbaijani leadership.
Addressing a news conference upon the results of the visit, Mann
said that although the presidential talks in Rambouillet, France
in February yielded no results, the peace process continues and the
sides are seeking to continue the talks.
“There are issues of concern for both parties that are reflected in
their positions. But the resumption of hostilities would be a tragedy
for both countries. No war will lead to a solution either now or in
20 years.”
The mediator also said that for the conflict to be solved, each side
should be ready to “answer important questions”. “At the same time, in
considering the military option, Azerbaijan should take into account
other factors, such as the importance of energy projects that will
bring profits to the country,” Mann said. The co-chair continued
that both the US government and the international community supports
a settlement strictly through peace talks. “America is cooperating
with Azerbaijan and Armenia and deems both as friendly nations.”
Asked why the U.S. has not duly assessed Armenia as aggressor,
Mann said such terse questions are frequently asked by Azerbaijanis
as well as representatives of the Armenian Diaspora in the United
States. “But we do not intend to take any sides on these issues and
urge the parties to give preference to peace talks,” Mann said.
Touching on Armenian president Robert Kocharian’s recent statement
that his country may recognize independence of the self-proclaimed
Upper Garabagh republic, the mediator said he is not in favor of
such speculations at the current stage in the negotiations, as such
statements “do nothing to facilitate solving the problem”. Assistant
Secretary Daniel Fried said that during the Baku meetings, Azerbaijan
decisively defended its national interests with regard to the conflict
resolution. “However, our discussions proceeded in a serious and
constructive manner,” he said. Fried has met with President Ilham
Aliyev, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov as well as opposition
representatives. “The conclusion we came to is that Azerbaijani
representatives have put forth a strong and resolute stance on the
issue,” the Assistant Secretary said. He reiterated that both parties
to the conflict are interested in solving the protracted dispute. “We
have concluded that Azerbaijanis want to return to their homeland. We
therefore believe that this must happen soon, as a war would prove
disastrous for everyone,” Fried said. The American official, who is
expected to visit Armenia next, said he would hold intense talks on
the Garabagh conflict with its officials as well. He declined to cite
any details, but said he would lay out certain initiatives. The news
conference was also attended by the US ambassador in Baku Reno Harnish.