U.S. CALLS ON BAKU TO FOCUS ON PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.06.2008

One of Azerbaijan’s greatest challenges is to find a peaceful
resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh dispute, according to the Assistant
Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

"The United States, in its role as Co-Chair of the Minsk Group
alongside our French and Russian colleagues, continues to actively
pursue a diplomatic resolution of this problem. While we support
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, Nagorno Karabakh’s final status
must be determined through negotiations and a spirit of compromise that
respects international legal and political principles," Daniel Fried,
said in his testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s
"The Caucasus: Frozen Conflicts and Closed Borders" hearing.

"An important step forward was taken by President Aliyev and Armenian
President Sargsyan when they met for the first time in St. Petersburg
on June 6 to discuss the resolution of the conflict, after which
they met with the Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Both sides reaffirmed their
commitment to working within the Minsk process and expressed their
readiness to continue discussions on the Basic Principles, a document
developed under the auspices of the Minsk Group that lays out the
basic framework for a lasting, peaceful settlement."

"As Azerbaijan’s income from its rich oil and gas resources rises
dramatically, we continue to urge its leadership to use these revenues
wisely for both current and future generations. We hope that the
Azerbaijani government will avoid the temptation of thinking that
renewed fighting is a viable option. In our view, it is not. We
have noted our concern with persistent bellicose rhetoric by some
Azerbaijani officials. We have urged the government of Azerbaijan to
focus on the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh dispute and
its resultant benefits for regional integration, which will lead to
greater prosperity and stability for the entire Caucasus region. In
sum, Azerbaijan has the opportunity to accelerate its economic and
political development, to build on its successes in establishing good
relations in its region, and to settle the Nagorno Karabakh dispute,"
Mr Fried said.