U.S SEES NO ALTERNATIVE TO NEGOTIATION PROCESS IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

Trend
March 30 2010
Azerbaijan

The United States do not see any alternative to the negotiation
process in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, which must lead to a
peaceful resolution of the conflict," Donald Lu, Charge d’affaires
of the U.S. Embassy said.

He confirmed the U.S. commitment to the peaceful resolution of
conflict.

"Peace negotiations require political will from both sides. But
Azerbaijani people must be sure that the United States led by its
leaders – President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton are committed
to resolve this conflict," he told media at the American Center of
the Azerbaijani Languages University today.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s resolutions
on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied
territories.