ALI AKHMEDOV: "CONCEPT OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP ON THE SETTLEMENT OF THE GARABAGH CONFLICT IS INCORRECT"

Today
litics/42218.html
Jan 9 2008
Azerbaijan

The settlement of the Garabagh problem is more difficult than it may
initially seem, as reported by Ali Akhmedov, deputy chairman of the
ruling party Yeni Azerbaijan and its executive secretary.

"The settlement of the conflict depends not only on the Azerbaijani
authorities", he noted.

A.Akhmedov stressed that the authorities of Azerbaijan do their best
to create favorable international climate for the conflict settlement.

He also mentioned changes in the position of the international
community as compared to the previous years.

"It is all important for the further settlement of the conflict",
he said.

A.Akhmedov noted that the development of the military potential of
Azerbaijan had caused concern of the Armenian side and organizations,
supporting it on the international arena.

"Several international organizations voiced concern over the
development of our military potential. They are concerned over
Azerbaijan’s possible settlement of the problem on basis of principles
of justice by force", Akhmedov added,

Akhmedov said touching upon the mediators’ activity on the settlement
of the Garabagh conflict that the chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group
have not yet found variants, acceptable for both sides.

"This proves that their concept is incorrect", he stressed.

The deputy chairman of the party considers that there are no variants
that would be acceptable for both sides.

"The matter is the release of the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. If
Armenia accept these proposals, another situation may emerge.

Otherwise, in case the Armenian side does not agree to release the
occupied lands of Azerbaijan, it is not clear how the mediators
will seek for the variants acceptable for both sides", the executive
secretary said.

"We hope that the Azerbaijani diplomacy, the power and strength of our
country will change mediators’ attitude to the issue. Azerbaijan is
for the settlement of the conflict only if the territorial integrity
of the country is provided and it does not accept any other variants",
A.Akhmedov concluded.