United Press International UPI
June 24 2011

Breakthrough in Nagorno-Karabakh?

Published: June 24, 2011 at 12:13 PM

MOSCOW, June 24 (UPI) — Azerbaijan and Armenia are ready to sign a
truce that would resolve a simmering conflict over the breakaway
republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, Kommersant reported.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have complained of violations to a 1994
cease-fire agreement related to conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, an
area of dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Nagorno-Karabakh, which declared independence in 1991, lies inside
Azerbaijan but has a population that is predominantly ethnic Armenian.

The United States, Russia and France have been trying to mediate the
territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia that has resulted
in the deaths of some 30,000 people.

A Russian government source told daily newspaper Kommersant talks
between Baku and Yerevan were moving toward a positive resolution.

U.S. President Barack Obama “strongly encouraged” Azeri and Armenian
leaders during Thursday phone calls to endorse the basic principles of
the agreement.

“President Obama told both leaders that now is the time to resolve
this conflict and to offer the people of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and
Nagorno-Karabakh a better future for themselves and for their
children,” a White House statement said.