Today, Azerbaijan
Jan 18 2008

OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen: "Armenian press has distorted
information, spread in our name" – UPDATED

18 January 2008 [13:18] – Today.Az

The co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk group have arrived in Baku today.
13:48

"The parties of Nagorno Garabagh conflict need time to think over",
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairman Bernard Fassier told reporters in Baku,
commenting on the negotiation process.

"Time is necessary to assess the details, problems and proposals.
Therefore, we do not have any calendar, especially for this year,
considering presidential elections both in Azerbaijan and in
Armenia", he said.

According to him, the proposals must be negotiated. "Perhaps, they
should be improved. Anyway, it would be better if the Presidents
approve these proposals after presidential elections, if not now".

Speaking about the positions of the sides, Fassier noted that each
party prefers to express attitude to the problems, which do not suit
it and does not say what suits it. "Therefore, we want time for
assessment", the co-chairman concluded.

US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza opposed the
information of the Armenian press, according to which he criticized
the slogan "Two states-one nation" and the policy in this direction,
noting that misunderstanding occured.

"I have never said that. This is Turkey’s policy and, perhaps,
Azerbaijan’s and I do not have a right to demand to change it. I have
just mentioned the fact of such policy in Ankara and someone
misinterpreted my words", M.Bryza said.

————
13:23

US mediator Matthew Bryza told reporters that they held discussions
with President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and Minister of Foreign
Affairs Vardan Oskanyan.

He regarded the talks in Armenia as constructive, however, according
to him much is left to be done.

"It is difficult to speak about achieving any agreement before
presidential elections in Armenia to be held in February. The meeting
of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia is planned. It is
important that the co-chairmen and sides have time to continue
discussions", the US diplomat said.

Commenting on his statements regarding the relations between
Azerbaijan and Turkey, M.Bryza said that his words had been
distorted.

Commenting on the fact that the mediators went to Khankendi from
Armenia, but not from Azerbaijan, Bryza announced that this route is
more comfortable: "It is a bit difficult to pass there from
Azerbaijan. We are always asking for Azerbaijan’s permission, when
passing to Khankendi from Armenia.

Matthew Bryza noted that the presidents and foreign ministers of
Azerbaijan and Armenia are informed about the details of the talks:
"However, the sides have a right to share this information. Perhaps,
Armenia will inform the representatives of Nagorno Garabagh".

French co-chairman Bernard Fassier noted that the discussions held
both in Yerevan and Khankendi were constructive and interesting: "I
hope that we will be able to continue our work. This work will base
on proposals, introduced to the sides in Madrid. These proposals have
been explained to the sides and we have familiarized with the
position of the sides on this issue. We have mentioned that it will
take time to consider the positions of the sides".

The co-chairman compared this issue with looking at a picture at a
distance and closer: "For example, when looking at the picture from a
close distance, it is possible to see only one detail, while when it
is far away, more details are seen. We would like to see the results
of the talks from such point of view".

In turn, Russian co-chairman Yuri Merzlyakov commented on information
on basic principles, published in Armenian press in his name: "I have
never said that. If it had been like that, we would not have returned
here. Positions of Azerbaijan and Armenia do not coincide on a number
of points. We have proposed to hold a meeting of the Foreign
Ministers of the two countries so far".

Commenting on the proposals of the co-chairmen on the involvement of
Nagorno Garabagh to the negotiation process, Y.Merzlyakov said that
these statements had also been distorted: "We have mentioned
repeatedly that all the parties must take part in the discussions
only after basic principles are coordinated".

Speaking about the participation of the Azerbaijani community of
Nagorno Garabagh in the discussions, the Russian diplomat said that
this is an internal matter of Azerbaijan. If Azerbaijan wants, the
Azerbaijani community may take part in the discussions.

/APA/

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