US AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN: "IT IS TIME TO SETTLE ALL CONFLICTS IN THE CAUCASUS"

Today.Az
politics/47584.html
Sept 16 2008
Azerbaijan

The events in Georgia proved once again that it is time to settle the
conflicts, existing in the region, said US ambassador to Azerbaijan
Anne Derse.

"US vice president Dick Cheney said during his visit to Azerbaijan that
it is the most favorable and important moment for the resolution of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. He announced that the United States support
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the conflict should be
settled by this principle, but naturally, considering international
and diplomatic experience", she told reporters Tuesday.

The ambassador noted that the United States had been active in the
resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and "it will further continue
being active".

"As you know, US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza is
visiting the region, tomorrow he will arrive in Baku and hold talks
in this direction", said Derse.

She also noted that the independent and sovereign states, existing in
the Caucasus, have a right to define their future independently. This
is a long-term position of the United States, which remains changeless.

"Official Washington wants to see the Caspian and South Caucasus
region as developing, stable and democratic regions in the world".

Speaking of the Caucasus security platform, the diplomat said there
is no news in this direction and "this idea is in process of formation
and we are just watching this process".

As regards the announcement about inclusion of the South Caucasus
into the influence area of definite countries, the ambassador noted
that the United States do not believe or accept such statements.