GARABAGH ACCORD POSSIBLE DESPITE STALLING TALKS – MEDIATOR

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 12 2006

Baku, April 11, AssA-Irada
The latest round of Armenia-Azerbaijan talks to settle the Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh conflict failed, but chances remain to strike a
deal, an international mediator has said.

The parties failed to agree upon the issues of principle during the
negotiations held by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian in
Rambouillet, France in February, which was followed by mutual threats.

“The OSCE Minsk Group (MG) co-chairs were very disappointed over
the fact no progress was achieved at Rambouillet. But don’t ask me
to elaborate on the details, as the meeting is left behind,” the
French co-chair of the MG Bernard Fassier told a news conference at
the French embassy in Baku Tuesday. He said the year 2005 was very
intense and prolific for Garabagh talks, considering the meetings
the mediators held with the top leadership of the two countries and
their frequent visits to the region.

“The initial principles of a peace accord to be signed were discussed
at all the meetings. The sides reached agreement on a number of these
issues during the talks.”

Fassier said that although the Rambouillet meeting was expected to
foster a common ground on more principles relating to the conflict
settlement, it has been impossible to accomplish the goal after the
presidential talks. “But this does not mean the negotiating process
is over.”

Fassier continued that the co-chairs welcome the fact peace talks
have not been disrupted after the latest meeting in France. He also
expressed concern over the fact that immediately after the discussions,
Azerbaijan and Armenia exchanged terse statements and the ceasefire
violations on the frontline intensified.

“Certainly, this is not normal, as the parties have a ceasefire they
agreed upon.”

The mediator went on to say that a resumption of military action
is not a way out and this has been repeatedly stated both by the
intermediaries and the countries co-chairing the Minsk Group.

“War is a very dangerous option, as the side launching the hostilities
could never be sure when the hostilities will end. This holds true
for superpowers as well.”

Fassier said that a start of military action would deal a blow on
Azerbaijan’s prospering economy. Foreign investors making considerable
investments in the country do not want to see this happen either.

Fassier said that President Ilham Aliyev has been conducting talks for
a long time. “He stated during the talks that he supports long-lasting
peace suitable for both parties. The president also said that the
talks will continue even if there is one out of a hundred chance for
a peaceful solution.”

The co-chair said there are currently greater chances for a peaceful
settlement, therefore, the mediators support the continuation of talks.

Fassier said he would inform the other two OSCE co-chairs from Russia
and the United States of the outcome of his visit to the region. The
two will further pay similar separate visits later this month,
followed by a meeting of the three mediators in Moscow to review
progress in the negotiations.

“After these meetings, the principles at the core of a future peace
accord will be developed. The three co-chairs will pay another visit
to the region early in May. The developed principles will be submitted
to the sides then.”

The French co-chair said the date and venue for the next meeting of
the Azeri and Armenian presidents has not been scheduled yet.

Fassier said the talks on Garabagh will continue further with the
intensity observed late in 2005.

“Our objective is to give an impetus to the stalling peace process.

But I cannot say with confidence that we will be able to achieve any
results by the year-end. The only thing I can say now is that there
are currently opportunities to move forward. But the co-chairs’ efforts
are not sufficient for this. As you know, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev has been invited to the United States, while Russia invited
his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian to Moscow.

This means the co-chairing countries are doing their utmost to settle
the conflict. However, we can only cite ideas and hold meetings during
our visits to the region, but cannot pass a decision instead of the
conflicting sides.”

Fassier said that a peace agreement to be reached in conclusion of
the talks will not fully justify expectations of either side, as this
practice is unprecedented around the world. However, it is possible
for the parties to uphold most of their interests, he said.

The mediator dismissed the reports saying the USA has laid out new
proposals on Garabagh during Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov’s recent visit to Washington.

“US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice did not present any new
proposals during her meeting with the minister…These suggestions
are nothing new. We are simply talking about advancing the proposals
already made by the co-chairing countries.”

Fassier termed as inappropriate the co-chairing countries’ presenting
proposals separately to the conflicting sides. During all the recent
meetings with Azeri and Armenian diplomats, Secretary Rice cited
proposals that had been agreed upon by all the three countries
in question. He said that prior to his visit to the region, he was
briefed by the US co-chair Steven Mann about the content of the talks
being held in Washington at the time.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress