Mediamax, Armenia
Feb 14 2009

Armenia blames top US diplomat for "hindering" Karabakh talks

Yerevan, 14 February: An official representative of the Armenian
Foreign Ministry, Tigran Balayan, has said that a recent statement by
the US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza, was aimed
at "hindering the negotiation process".

According to the press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry,
Balayan said this while commenting on Bryza’s interview to the Voice
of America. In the interview, the [US] diplomat said that any
agreement on the Karabakh conflict should be based on the principle of
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. In should also include the right
to self-determination and the non-use of force.

"The aim of this statement is not understandable. It gives an
impression that such comments could only be made with the aim of
hindering the negotiation process, which is underway on the basis of
the Madrid proposals. These proposals are based on three equal
principles of international law non-use of force, the right to
self-determination and territorial integrity. The Armenian side has
repeatedly stated that recognition of the Artsakh [Karabakh] people’s
right to self-determination is a key issue. Talks are being held on
the principles of a settlement. No agreement has been reached yet, and
generally speaking, it is early to speak about an agreement," Balayan
said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress