Bryza: Elections do not hinder negotiations on Karabakh
Regnum, Russia
July 31, 2006
"I see there is a political will to solve the question; philosophy
laid in the basis of our proposals, is acceptable," OSCE Minsk Group
US co-Chair Matthew Bryza stated to Radio Liberty after his meeting
with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan.
Speaking on proposals’ details, he stressed that there are questions,
connected with Kelbajar and Lachin, as well as conducting a
referendum. Matthew Bryza confirmed that, according to OSCE MG
co-chairs, Nagorno Karabakh people should solve the question of
Karabakh’s status itself. "However, the question is who should be
considered to be Karabakh people. There are people, who lived there
in 1988 and who wish to participate in the referendum too," Mr. Bryza
stated. "All these questions should be processed as a part of single
package." "Principles, which are now on the negotiation table, are no
agreement. They are just principles, proposals. Hence, an agreement
is unavoidable, if there is no such yet," he stressed.
Answering a question, whether there is a chance to reach an agreement
within this year or whether the question will be postponed till 2009,
Mr. Bryza said: "Of course, there is a chance. It would be favorable
for presidents of both countries to appear at the elections with a
settled problem. However, elections do not prevent from negotiations.
Simply, the question is much easier to be solved, when political
processes are not escalated." At the same time, the US diplomat
stressed that the OSCE MG is ready to act until parties seriously
consider the talks: "We see that our friends in Armenia consider the
question quite seriously."
Mentioning situation with democracy in Armenia, Mr. Bryza said:
"We hope that Armenia moves in a right direction. The US-Armenian
relations will be the stronger; the Armenian democracy will be
stronger. Armenia’s participation in the Millennium Challenge Program
is the best evidence for the US to be sure that Armenia is moving
forward on a democratic way. Democracy is a process."