MATTHEW BRYZA’S STATEMENT NO SURPRISE FOR ARMENIA’S AUTHORITIES

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 17 2006

YEREVAN, July 17. /ARKA/. US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew
Bryza’s statement was not a surprise for Armenia’s authorities,
RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyann told reporters.

"The OSCE MG Co-Chair regularly informed us of the negotiating
process," the Minister said.

Oskanyan made a generally positive appraisal of the statement, as
"open brackets will allow all sections of Armenia’s population to
discuss this issue."

The Minister also pointed out that he is not going to organize a
campaign for a framework agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh. "This document
is just a compromise which allows the parties to enter a new stage
in negotiations, and it is not perfect for Armenia," Oskanyan said.

On June 23, Matthew Bryza made the fundamental principles of the
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement public He pointed out that the conflicting
parties were discussing a framework agreement. Under the agreement,
Armenian forces are to leave the Azerbaijani territories under
control. The agreement also envisages the stationing of peace-makers in
the conflict zone, international economic aid to Nagorno-Karabakh and
a referendum on the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. P.T. -0-