Regnum, Russia
June 23 2006

Matthew Bryza: Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement tools are on
negotiation table

For the first time in the history of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement, Matthew Bryza, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
and new U.S. Co-Chairman of OSCE Minsk Group, introduced a set of
proposals for the negotiations on the conflict settlement for the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents.

In an interview to RFE/RL, M. Bryza said a framework agreement has
been prepared. The agreement calls Armenia for withdrawal of troops
from ~Sthe territories of Azerbaijan under the control of Armenia.~T On
the other hand, the document provides for normalization of diplomatic
and economic relations of Armenia and Azerbaijan, M. Bryza said. The
agreement also contains other provisions for dislocation of
peacemakers in the conflict zone and international economic
assistance to the region of Nagorno Karabakh, as well as for a
referendum for Nagorno Karabakh’s status at a certain stage. Thus, a
comprehensive set of proposals is currently on the negotiating table
for Armenia and Azerbaijan, which, however, the parties refuse to
take into consideration so far, M. Bryza said.

He, however, refused to specify what particular provisions the
parties cannot agree upon. The U.S. Co-Chair urged the presidents to
adopt the framework agreement and added that it required political
will.