TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2008

US Senator Does not See Solution to Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
14.01.08 19:58

Azerbaijan, Baku, 14 January /corr. Trend A.Ismaylova /Influential US
Senator, Republican Richard Lugar, said in Baku on 14 January that
currently he does not see a solution to the conflict. Answering the
questions regarding the strengthening of the position of the
international community in settling the conflict, Lugar replied
`settling the conflict is important for the USA and I see general
efforts towards it’. He highlighted his optimism regarding the
peaceful solution of the conflict.

In addition, Lugar touched upon the activity of the Armenian
diasporas in the USA, which lobby recognition of the so-called
`Armenian genocide’. `The Armenian diasporas are more than Armenians
in Armenia,’ he said.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began
in 1988 due to the Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
Since 1992, the Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven neighbouring
districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire
agreement which ended the active hostilities. The Co-Chairs of the
OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France and US) are currently the holding
peaceful negotiations.