OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS POINT OUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WITHDRAWAL OF SNIPERS FROM THE CONTRACT LINE

ArmInfo
2009-07-08 19:33:00

The withdrawal of snipers would improve the situation on the contact
line, the OSCE MG co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard
Fassier (France) and MAtthew Bryza (the Untied States) said during
a press-conference in Yerevan today.

Merzlyakov said that the statement of the foreign ministries of the
OSCE MG co-chair-states contained such a proposal and it had been
supported by Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. "Unfortunately, we have
failed to convince the Azeri authorities of the expediency of this
proposal. We believe that if adopted this initiative would lead to
stability and security on the contact line," Merzlyakov said.

When asked by ArmInfo to comment on the attempts of the parties
to politicize the issue of POWs, Merzlyakov said that there was an
agreement for the return of POWs. However, presently the situation has
changed because of the reluctance of some POWs to come back home. This
does not mean that the issue is politicized, simply, it has received
a different implication.

Fassier said that they had failed yet to receive Azerbaijan’s consent
to the withdrawal of snipers. "But, as our British friends say,
never say never. And we very much hope that one day, when the general
climate improves, this proposal will be accepted," Fassier said. He
pointed out that the intitiative would help to spare young lives and
said that they would try to push it through.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress