MEDIATORS NOT EXPECTING ‘BREAKTHROUGH’ IN FORTHCOMING MEETING OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
June 8 2007

US Ambassador Matthew Bryza, an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, stated in
a news conference in Yerevan that he does not expect a breakthrough
in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the forthcoming
meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents in St. Petersburg
on 9 June, Armenian news agency Mediamax reports.

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement held very honest and open talks with Armenian President
Robert Kocharian and Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Bryza
stressed. "We discussed the manifestation of optimism and pessimism.

I am optimistic, because I am a mediator and I work to regulate
the conflict."

On 5 June Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated in an interview
with Mediamax that he is well-aware of the source of the US diplomat’s
optimism. The current state of negotiations, as well as the stance
the Azerbaijani side has taken over the past two months makes positive
results least hopeful.

Bryza explained his optimism with the changes in the resolution
observed this past year. He reminded those attending the press
conference that when he joined the OSCE Minsk Group a year ago the
mediators decided to cease their activities and make proposals on a
resolution. Several rounds of talks were held afterwards between the
Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the Presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Minsk.

"The April meeting of the Foreign Ministers in Belgrade revealed
the necessity for a new meeting of the Presidents due on 9 June,"
Bryza added.

"Thus, over this period the process experienced quality changes and
this is the major cause for my optimism," the mediator elaborated.

The parties are solving their disagreements, while there are still
some that are disputable.

In his turn, French Ambassador Bernard Fassier said it will be possible
to speak about a breakthrough only when the Presidents of Azerbaijan
and Armenia will instruct their ministers to commence work over the
text of a peace agreement.

Commenting on the Armenian President’s statement, stressing the
importance of defining Nagorno-Karabakh for his country, Bryza said
that every side has its priorities and such an approach is not a
surprise for him. "During the process we did not act with closed eyes,
but took into consideration the importance of the status and security
of the Armenian side.