United Press International UPI
Jan 22 2010

Medvedev to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh clash

MOSCOW, Jan. 22

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will meet with the leaders of
Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the
Kremlin says.

The Kremlin press service confirmed Thursday Medvedev will hold talks
with Azerbaijan President Ilkham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan about the lengthy conflict between the two Transcaucasian
republics, ITAR-Tass reported.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict began in 1988 when leaders in the
landlocked region attempted to secede from the Azerbaijan Soviet
Socialist Republic.

Those seeking Nagorno-Karabakh autonomy wanted instead to incorporate
with Armenia, triggering an armed conflict that lasted from 1991 to
1994.

Talks first began in 1993 with Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and
Armenia all taking part.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group
helped bring about a gradual settlement and Armenia and Azerbaijan
continued to communicate regarding the conflict.

The new meeting aimed at settling the conflict is to take place Monday
in Sochi, Russia, with representatives from Russia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan taking part, ITAR-Tass reported.