Armenian PM reiterates adherence to peaceful Karabakh settlement

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
July 22, 2006 Saturday 04:31 AM EST

By Tigran Liloyan

Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan has reiterated Yerevan’s
adherence to a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. "We remain
peaceful settlement supporters," he said when speaking at the tenth
congress of the Armenian Republican Party, the leader of which he is.

Margaryan reminded about the Karabakh conflict settlement principles
backed by the Armenian ruling party.

The premier believes international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh
people’s right for self-determination and border security must be
ensured. Nagorny Karabakh must not be under the jurisdiction of
Azerbaijan, he said. He believes the region must participate in the
negotiations.

The package of proposals put forth recently by the co-chairmen of
the OSCE Minsk group envisages withdrawal of Armenian forces from the
territory controlled by them and bringing of peacekeeping forces there.

It would be acceptable, if Azerbaijan had not rejected it and
threatened to increase the military budget for a military solution
of the problem, Margaryan said.

The Armenian premier welcomed the Minsk group co-chairmen’s efforts.
He expressed the hope their activities would have a positive effect
on Karabakh conflict settlement.