THEY ARE NOT TO BLAME THAT KARABAKH IS NOT PARTY IN TALKS

Lragir.am
08-06-2007 12:15:38

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs stated in a news conference on June
7 in Yerevan they are not to blame for the absence of Karabakh in
the talks on the conflict. In answer to the question why they meet
with NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan if Karabakh is not a party in
the talks, it is not considered as a conflict side but an object,
as Yuri Merzlyakov had said, Bernard Fassier said they do not meet
with Ghukasyan every time, second, if sooner or later Karabakh must
become involved in the talks, it is necessary to have meetings with the
"representatives of Karabakh". Bernard Fassier said when they start to
deal with the issues related to the security and fate of the people of
Karabakh, Karabakh must be involved in the discussion of these issues.

The reporters also asked the co-chairs if the withdrawal of the
Azerbaijani force from the Armenian territories is considered along
with the proposal to return the Azerbaijani territories and withdraw
the Armenian force from these territories. The reporters mentioned
Artsvashen, Shahumyan, Getashen, the north of Martakert which were
occupied by Azerbaian but which had been within the administrative
borders of Nagorno Karabakh. Matthew Bryza thanked for reminding,
saying that they are aware of it, however, these are details of the
issues under negotiations, meanwhile the basic principles are now
being discussed and it is not correct to reveal the details for the
people who are involved in the talks.

In answer to the historical reminder on the status of Karabakh that
Karabakh has never been part of independent Azerbaijan, especially
before the USSR, Fassier said he prefers settlement through talks to
retrospect through history.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress