ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN: APPOINTMENT OF U.S. OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIR

US Fed News
September 8, 2009 Tuesday 9:25 PM EST

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 — The U.S. Department of State’s Under Secretary
for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs issued the following press
release:

The Secretary is pleased to announce the appointment of Ambassador
Robert Bradtke as the next U.S. OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair. Ambassador
Bradtke brings to this position more than thirty-six years of Foreign
Service experience and extensive expertise in European security
policy. In July of this year, he completed a three year assignment as
Chief of Mission at American Embassy Zagreb, Croatia. Prior to that,
he served from 2001 to 2004 as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
for European and Eurasian Affairs, with responsibility for NATO and
the OSCE.

The United States understands the critical importance of achieving
a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We welcome
recent positive dialogues between President Sargsian of Armenia and
President Aliyev of Azerbaijan. Secretary Clinton has indicated to
the two presidents her strong interest in the Minsk Group’s ongoing
efforts to bring the process to a fruitful conclusion, and the Obama
Administration is committed to doing everything possible to support
this goal.

We have informed the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan of
Ambassador Bradtke’s appointment. Ambassador Bradtke looks forward
to his first trip to the region in the coming weeks.