SERGE SARGSYAN: THERE ARE NO PRECONDITIONS FOR RESUMPTION OF MILITARY ACTIONS
Tatul Hakobyan

"Radiolur"
29.06.2006 14:50

Today RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan turned to the disclosures
of the US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Matthew Bryza. A
few days ago the newly appointed Co-Chair publicized the content of
negotiations between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Bryza
said, in particular, "We have a framework agreement, which urges to
withdraw the Armenian troops from the territories, where they are
currently deployed. The agreement envisages normalization of economic
and diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

There are also other factors like the deployment of peacekeepers,
international economic assistance to the Karabakh region and economic
development. That is to say, there is package suggestion. At the end,
at some point it is envisaged to hold a referendum to determine the
future status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

This is the main sketch of the suggestions put on the negotiations
table.

During today’s meeting with journalists at the Military Institute after
Vazgen Sargsyan Serge Sargsyan said, "I think it would be correct if
MR. Bryza presented the document itself and refrained from making
personal comments. The Co-Chairs urge the parties not to publicize
the details of talks to avoid emotional impact, while they try to do
it themselves."

Yesterday US Embassy in Armenia made public the text of the statement
of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs made June 22nd at the OSCE Permanent
Council. The Co-Chairs underline they see no sense in initiating
additional meetings between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan,
unless they demonstrate adequate political will to overcome the rest of
the misunderstandings. The statement includes the principles presented
to the consideration of the Presidents of the two countries.

Armenian military units should be withdrawn from Azerbaijani
territories around Nagorno-Karabakh; special attention should be paid
to Kelbajar and Lachin regions.

For determining the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh it is
envisaged to hold a referendum or a general voting, the terms of which
have not been set so far. The referendum or the voting should come
in the result of a compromise agreement between the two sides. The
parties are obliged to continue the talks to decide upon the terms
and format of the referendum. International peacekeeping forces will
be deployed in the conflict zone.

"Now it is time for the two Presidents to try to achieve progress
in the settlement process. This is the only way to reinforce the
positive results achieved during the last two years of negotiations,"
the statement says.

In response to the question whether the Armenian side is going to make
known the complete framework agreement imposed by the Co-Chairs in
the result of the recent meetings between Presidents Robert Kocharyan
and Ilham Aliev, RA Defense Minister said, "We’ll see. In any case,
we act within the limits of the logics, the main idea of which is to
keep the parties from an emotional attitude towards the document.

Serge Sargsyan does not think that the lack of progress in the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict causes a situation where the war
becomes inevitable.

"I don’t think that there has been any events recently that envisages
war.

What kind of war are you speaking about? Why war? Who has said there
will be a war? I do not consider there are any preconditions for
resumption of military actions in the nearest future," the Minister
said.

After Matthew Bryza’s revelations, RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
issued a statement, underlining, in particular, that Armenia agreed
to the suggestions made in Bucharest, while these were rejected
by Azerbaijan.

"Besides, Azerbaijan’s instability of opinion is a serious obstacle
for achieving progress in the negotiations process. In case this policy
is maintained, Armenia will insist that Azerbaijan holds direct talks
with Karabakh," the statement of the MFA said.