OSCE ENVOY DOWNPLAYS CEASEFIRE BREACHES

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 9 2006

The OSCE chairman’s special envoy Andrjej Caspzyk has said the
situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan frontline is stable, despite
frequent ceasefire breaches documented by officials and international
experts.

Caspzyk told the press in Armenia that talks between the two countries’
defense chiefs were important. This will provide an opportunity to
agree ways of preventing truce violations.

"My position on the issue overlaps with those of the Azeri and Armenian
governments. Observance to the ceasefire requires the will of both
sides," the diplomat said.

Caspzyk said that monitoring he regularly conducts on the frontline
facilitates compliance with the ceasefire. Relevant bodies and military
men of both countries have always been willing to provide assistance
in this respect, which shows that they are interested in honoring
the ceasefire.

Earlier reports said that Azerbaijani and Armenian defense ministers
Safar Abiyev and Serzh Sarkisian met on October 20 to mull ways of
preventing ceasefire violations, promote trust between the conflicting
sides and strengthen border control.

Armenian forces have been occupying Azerbaijan’s Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh region since a 1994 cease-fire ended separatist hostilities
that killed an estimated 30,000 people and ousted about a million
out of their homes. Years of OSCE-brokered talks have brought little
tangible result.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress