ADVISER TO NKR PRESIDENT: "ARMENIAN REFUGEES ARE A SERIOUS FACTOR"

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 25 2007

Arman Melikian, Adviser to NKR President on Foreign Policy Issues, is
not especially optimistic about the possibility of reaching successful
outcomes in the Karabagh talks. "As soon as there is a specific result
the Karabagh party agrees with, it will become possible to display
optimism. I think such displays are premature now," Melikian noted.

As for the current stage of the conflict process, NKR President’s
Adviser stated the Minsk process had become the talks held between RA
and AR FMs and Presidents, IA REGNUM reports. Melikian again reminded
that the Nagorno-Karabagh had the right to be the talks’ participant.

Touching on the OSCE MG Co-Chairs’ statement that it had not been
the mediators, who suggested that Stepanakert’s representatives be
excluded from the talks, Melikian found a share of the Co-Chairs’
guilt, "as they have agreed to such a format".

In Arman Melikian’s words, the Co-Chairs begin to realize that Armenian
refugees are a serious factor, ignoring which will result in a deadlock
in the settlement process. "In case the Armenian refugees agree to
return to Azerbaijan, it will become possible to speak of Azeris’
return. Unless they agree, it is necessary to consider, where the
people (Armenian refugees – ed.) will live, where their new Motherland
will be. From this point of view the liberated territories are the
most suitable place", Arman Melikian said.

To remind, OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairs visited Yerevan May 21-23,
within the frames of a regional visit. May 25 they will arrive in
Azerbaijan, where they are to meet with Azeri officials.