OSCE MINSK GROUP COCHAIRMAN WITH ARMENIA – BAKU

Interfax
May 18 2009
Russia

Head of the Azeri presidential administration’s external relations
department Novruz Mamedov has accused the OSCE Minsk Group cochairmen
of posting false information on the alleged progress in the Karabakh
settlement process for the benefit of Armenia.

"No progress was made at the Prague negotiations [of the Azeri and
Armenian presidents], and the Armenian side did not change its stance,"
Mamedov told the Azeri channel ANS.

"A false message was posted. The intermediaries claim that the
negotiations go on, there is no need to worry and work continues in
the right direction," he said.

"On one hand, they want to calm down the world and to show off. One
the other hand, they wish to present Armenia as a constructive side
ready for further negotiations," he said.

"We wonder why they give such care, love and support [to Armenia],"
Mamedov said. In his words, the attitude of the cochairman does not
help the achievement of the common goal.

"They have no settlement principles but the one ‘you decide and we
give support’," he said.

"I think that principles of the cochairmen’s activity are faulty.

They must define a position in line with international laws and offer
guidelines. Then the world, the OSCE, the United Nations and the UN
Security Council should define their position. But so far no fair
position has been presented," Mamedov said.