I DON’T THINK THAT CE CAN REPLACE THE OSCE MINSK GROUP- LORD RUSSELL JOHNSTON
Author: Z. Ibrahimli

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 11 2006

The head of the temporary PACE committee on Nagorno-Karabakh, Lord
Russell Johnston said in his interview to the MediaMax that he thinks
about the resumption of hostilities in the region “with the great
displeasure.”

He stated that “creation of the PACE committee on Nagorno-Karabakh
doesn’t mean that we try to become full-fledged mediator in the talks.”

“The OSCE Minsk group is professionally occupied in that problem for
more than 10 years and I don’t think that the Council of Europe can
replace it. Our goal is -to render all necessary assistance to the
OSCE Minsk group co-chairmen,” Lord Johnston said.

Speaking about the committee plans he did not exclude the possibility
that its members will visit Armenia and Azerbaijan this year.

“We are also thinking about arranging the meeting of Armenian and
Azerbaijani MPs, though it is too early to speak about the exact
plans,” he concluded.