US DIPLOMAT EXPECTS GARABAGH AGREEMENT ‘IN COMING WEEKS’

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 18 2006

Baku, May 17, AssA-Irada
Washington believes Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents may sign a
peace agreement in the coming weeks to end the conflict over Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh, said Anne Derse, the nominated US ambassador
in Baku.

It is currently a crucial time for the negotiating process and
additional opportunities have emerged to resolve the dispute this year,
Russian ITAR-TASS news agency quoted the diplomat as saying.

Commenting on the possible use of military action to settle the
dispute, she said any use of force by either side at the moment could
have tragic ramifications.

The parties failed to agree upon the issues of principle during
the latest talks held by the two leaders in Rambouillet, France in
February, which was followed by Azerbaijan’s threats to resort to
military action.