US Garabagh mediator urges Azeri, Armenian ‘independent decisions’

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 14 2006

Baku, July 13, AssA-Irada — The US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group
brokering settlement to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh dispute has called on the two countries’ presidents to
"prepare their people for compromises".

"If I were them, I would prepare the public for compromises to settle
the conflict. First of all, military action is out of the question.

Secondly, no one [neither side] can gain everything," Matthew Bryza
told a local TV channel.

Bryza reiterated that he believes the sides should make independent
decisions, saying that preparing the parties for concessions is
outside the co-chairmen’s authority.

With regard to possible concessions of the Azerbaijani side, he said
the country’s territorial integrity should not be violated under
any circumstances.

"We [the co-chairs] assumed the responsibility for peace talks and
have now reached a stage that enables the presidents and the community
to make decisions.

Bryza stated that the mediators excelled in mediating the peace process
and developed a suitable "framework agreement", and it is now up to
the presidents to make suggestions on how to improve the document.

Bryza reiterated that he binds great hope for reaching a solution to
the Garabagh conflict in 2006.

The American intermediary is expected to visit the region in August.

He is due to hold talks in Baku and then in Yerevan.*