BAKU DISCLOSES WHAT PEACEKEEPING FORCES IT WANTS TO SEE IN KARABAKH

Today.Az
15 August 2009 [11:59]

There are still certain differences in the conceptions of the
Armenian and Azerbaijani sides regarding settlement of the Karabakh
conflict, Head of International Relations Department of Azerbaijani
Presidential Administration Novruz Mammadov said in an interview with
Turan news agency.

"Azerbaijan’s position remains the same – stage by stage liberation
of occupied territories around Karabakh, and return of displaced
people to their native lands. During the transition period Lachin and
Kelbajar regions must be liberated and a corridor between Karabakh
and Armenia must be created. These processes must be accompanied by
cleaning territories from mines and restoration works. It can take
from 5 to 10 years," Mammadov said.

"Then displaced people must return to Karabakh, and it is necessary to
deploy peacekeeping forces. After the return of 60,000 Azerbaijanis
there and the restoration of situation legal status of Karabakh
can be determined only in the frames of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. It can take up to 10 years," Mamedov said.

He said it is early to speak about exact time now, because it is
not known how the processes will develop. The return of only seven
regions around Karabakh will cause the return of 760,000 people.

"All houses, industrial and social infrastructure have been destroyed
there. Several years will take cleaning the territories from mines,
and the whole process can take 15 to 20 years," Mammadov said.

Not going into details of renewed Madrid Principles he said that they
are about development of Karabakh’s status, i.e. who and when will
take a decision, question on peacekeeping forces, their structure,
placing and question connected with corridor.

He agreed with co- chairs that the sides are close to agreement,
but even a small detail can influence the process of settlement.

"Of course Armenia wants the resolution of legal status at first stage,
but co-chairs agreed that all seven regions around Karabakh must be
returned," Mammadov said.

"Azerbaijan’s does not want peacekeepers from neighbor countries in
the peacekeeping forces. It would be better if peacekeeping forces
were from European states and U.S.," Mammadov said.

He said that it would be appropriate to deploy peacekeepers to the
contact line between Karabakh and nearby regions.

"Status of Karabakh must be determined on the basis of Azerbaijan’s
Constitution. It will be determined at the last stage, so nothing
can be said now," Mamedov said.

In case of successful development of peaceful process communication
will be opened; question on opening of automobile roads will be raised.

"I think Armenia first of all is interested in opening of railway,
because of blockade caused by it itself," Mammadov said.