OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO MEET IN APRIL

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 30 2006

“OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs might hold their next meeting in April. I
do not rule out the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign
Ministers, but the exact date of this meeting has not yet been fixed,”
American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Steven Mann told.

The co-chair did not tell when the co-chairs will visit the region.

“We are analyzing the situation and specifying out next steps. The
latest meeting of Azerbaijan’s and Armenia’s Presidents inspired
confidence in me that we will be able to solve the Nagorno Garabagh
conflict,” Mr.Mann said.

The American co-chair also commented on the recent regular cease-fire
violations in the front line.

“The personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, Andrzey
Kasprzyk informs us regularly about this issue. The preserve of the
cease-fire is the main topic of discussion between the conflicting
parties as well as the Defense Ministers. The most optimal method
should be agreed in order to avoid war. Lack of reaching an agreement
might lead to adoption of radical decisions. The United States thinks
that the 2006 is a promising year for reaching peace accord. However,
it will not be possible to completely solve the conflict in 2006
because it needs many years. I think the parties will decrease the
risk of the war outbreak. I do not think anyone is interested in
resuming the war. I do not predict the war might break out in future
as no one can predict it. However, the cease-fire violation does not
sound good,” the US diplomat said.

Mr.Mann also said that the issue of the participation of the separatist
regime in Nagorno Garabagh in the negotiating process depends on the
conflicting sides.

“The matter should be considered from another point of view: Will the
Nagorno Garabagh’s participation in the talks provide for progress
or not. The approach of the OSCE MG co-chairs is as follows: if the
parties are for involving the Nagorno Garabagh in the talks, we will
support this option,” Mann said.

The American co-chair noted that Kosovo model cannot be a precedent
for other conflicts.

“Each conflict is individual in its own way, has its roots and
history. If we try to equate the Nagorno Garabagh conflict to another
one, we will thus attain no good. The Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan deserve respect for their latest steps. The diplomatic
delegates of both sides are professionals and I am glad to work with
such professionals,” the mediator remarked.

Steven Mann also reminded that the co-chairs used the expression “the
occupied territories of Azerbaijan” during the negotiating process,
and this expression was stated in all documents.

“This expression is used in agreements and one of the main issues is
that the parties clarify this issue,” Mann said.