RA FOREIGN MINISTER REPORTS ON TRUCE VIOLATION

armradio.am
04.03.2008 18:25

Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian informed today on serious
violation of truce by the Azerbaijani side, as a result of which
there are killed and wounded.

"On March 3, in the North-Eastern part of Martakert region of
Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan undertook serious infringement on our
positions. The given incident differs from the previous violations
of truce from the Azerbaijani side by its volume and the armament
used. The skirmish continues till now, as a result of which there
are killed and injured. From the Armenian side there is one injured,
the Azerbaijani side has reported on two people dead," Vartan Oskanian
stated, speaking at a press conference in Yerevan today.

The Foreign Minister noted that the Armenian side initially yielded
to the enemy one of the positions occupied, however, it was later
returned.

Vartan Oskanian informed that at present, the OSCE Minsk Group US
Co-Cchair Matthew Bryza and the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk are in Baku and are holding talks
on reestablishment of truce.

"Bryza and Kasprzyk did not manage to reach success, since Azerbaijan
agreed to truce only if it preserved the given position. Now, when
the given position is returned, I believe it will be easier to reach
consent," Vartan Oskanian stated.

"We absolutely condemn such actions of Azerbaijan and call on to the
soon return to a ceasefire order", Armenian Foreign Minister stated,
expressing opinion that "Baku obviously tried to speculate on the
internal political situation in Armenia, evidently deciding that all
our attention is concentrated on the internal issues".

Vartan Oskanian also stated that Azerbaijan took up attack on the
"diplomatic front" as well. In particular, Azerbaijan presented to
the consideration of the UN General Assembly the draft of the new
resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh, the voting on which is planned for
March 14. According to the Minister, the Armenian diplomacy is working
on the prevention of the resolution and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair
states are against the given resolution.