BAKU: UN GA Adopts Resolution On Situation In Occupied Territories

UN GA ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON SITUATION IN OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Sept 8 2006

Situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan was discussed
at the 60th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New
York, 7 September, correspondent of AzerTAc reported. In hourly-long
discussions, representatives of the UN-member states have adopted
a resolution. In the Resolution, the UN General Assembly expressed
serious concern with ecological damage caused by the arsons set in
the occupied areas of Azerbaijan. In the document, also was stressed
necessity of quick ecological operations to prevent the arsons and
eliminate its consequences. The sides are ready to cooperate in
this field, the Resolution says, and appraises this cooperation as
trust-building step. As is stated, the Resolution envisions sending
an OSCE mission with the participation of UN Environment Program
specialists to region to ascertain the short and long-term damage
to the environment. The UN relevant structures are called to render
assistance to the fire-affected areas, and the OSCE Chairman-In-Office
is asked to present not later than April 30, 2007, a report connected
to the question to the General Assembly member-states.

Azerbaijan’s permanent representative at the United Nations Yashar
Aliyev made remarks at the discussions. "The arsons committed at the
occupied areas of Azerbaijan since early June of current year cover
over 600 square meters of territory. The fact the Azerbaijan government
is deeply concerned deeply is that the arsons continue and they occur
in the areas the Azerbaijanis should return. These lands in short
time have become deserts, the Ambassador emphasized. After official
request of Azerbaijan government, the OSCE fact-finding mission on
3-5 July has been at some fire-affected areas, and confirmed the
fact. The mission’s report confirms lack of appropriate fire safety
equipments and sufficient water reserve in both sides, and the main
– the need for international assistance. Ambassador Aliyev called
on the General Assembly to take urgent measures to extinguish the
fire, lessen influence of the ecological disaster, and restore the
fire-affected territories of Azerbaijan.

In the discussions, taking the floor on behalf of the GUAM states,
the representative of Ukraine, then representative of Pakistan and
Turkey expressed concern with the arsons in their territories and
called for adoption of the aforementioned resolution.

Speaking on behalf of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, the USA
representative also upheld the offer of Azerbaijan side, noting that
a joint mission of UN Environment Program and OSCE specialists would
be sent to region to learn the situation.

Representative of Armenia estimated discussion of the question carried
out in the frame of United Nations as an obstacle in negotiations
for settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
expressing protest to send a fact=finding mission to the region.

In his reply, Ambassador Yashar Aliyev, noted that last days the
Azerbaijani side, on request of the OSCE MG co-chairs, together with
the Armenian side has worked out and prepared a draft of consensus.

Therefore, disagreement of the Armenian representative with the Draft
resolution at the last moment is "an inglorious and worthless step".