MATTHEW BRYZA: "PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA MAINTAIN MUTUAL TRUST AND RESPECT"

Today.Az
olitics/48974.html
Nov 13 2008
Azerbaijan

"Russian troops can not act as peacekeeping forces in the Karabakh
conflict", said US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza
in Baku.

He explained that the co-chairs have always relied on principles,
according to which in case peacekeeping forces are dislocated in the
conflict area in the future, they must not be from the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairing countries and from the states, neighboring the region.

"I do not know who can fulfill a mission of a peacekeeping force,
but we should complete works on the basic principles", said Bryza.

The co-chair announced that he discussed the issues of the Karabakh
conflict settlement at the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan.

"I can not say that Presidents Aliyev and Sargsyan have found contact
points, but I agree that there is a level of trust and respect between
them", said Bryza.

As for possible return of a part of the occupied lands of Azerbaijan
by the end of this year, he said he can not say when it will happen.

"Basic principles of the co-chairs are balanced and we do hope that
the lands will be returned to Azerbaijan for the refugees to be able
to return. Perhaps, a corridor will be created, perhaps, peacekeeping
forces will be deployed, and, perhaps, voting will be held or not be
held in the future.

In this issue, it is important for the Presidents to find a contact
point", said he.