BAKU: Azerbaijani MP: Minks Group Co-Chairs Have No Understanding Of

AZERBAIJANI MP: MINKS GROUP CO-CHAIRS HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF ESSENCE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT
Z. Ahmadov

Today
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Feb 15 2010
Azerbaijan

"The trio of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs do not want the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to be resolved," Azerbaijani Member of
Parliament Gultakin Hajibayli said.

"I am becoming more and more pessimistic about settlement of the
Karabakh conflict even in spite of all efforts made by Turkey to
address this issue based on Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. In
this regard, I would note tolerating attitude OSCE Minsk Group,"
the Azerbaijani MP said.

"I should also note that Russia has repeatedly provided military
support worth hundreds of billions of dollars to Armenia. The United
States, for just position of which we hope very much, provides
financial assistance to the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh directly
from its budget. Well, I will say nothing at all about France. What
to say about the state that has recognized the "Armenian genocide?"

"This suggests that the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group do
not want the Karabakh conflict to be resolved or does not understand
the essence of this conflict. Azerbaijan has not occupied a single
inch of the Armenian territory and therefore Azerbaijan’s limit of
concessions in the Karabakh negotiations has ended," the MP noted.

"Deoccupation of the Azerbaijani territories requires pressure of
world powers on Armenia. But we do not see this. On the contrary,
the countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group put pressure on Turkey
to open Armenian-Turkish border while Armenia feels very comfortable.

However, it should be noted that there are still forces in Armenia
that understand that this country has no future without good relations
with Azerbaijan and Turkey," the MP added.

"Of course, these forces are not in power, but openly declare that
Armenia’s leaders are leading the country to a standstill. Meanwhile,
Armenian authorities suppress any dissent. The recent statements
Sargsyan made in London prove my words. He almost stated that the
Armenian-Turkish rapprochement and progress in the Karabakh conflict
is far from accomplishment," the MP noted.

When asked what effect visit of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Bill
Burns to Azerbaijan can have on relations between the two countries,
Hajibayli noted that "Azerbaijan and the U.S. are strategic allies
on many issues. Senior American officials have not visited Baku lately.

This may be due to the fact that the new U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan,
who is to organize such visits, had not yet been appointed.Â"

"The Karabakh issue will be discussed during Burns’ meetings in Baku.

We expect impartial attitude of the American side on this issue.

Though the U.S. is the only country in the world that provides
financial assistance to the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh on the state
level questions Washington’s just position in the Karabakh conflict
to a great decree," Hajibayli said.

"I think that the United States is interested in demonstrating
fair position in the Karabakh conflict, given the level of our
bilateral economic cooperation and investment of American companies
in Azerbaijan," she said.

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