Trend News Agency (Baku, Azerbaijan)
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency
 Wednesday


US remains committed to working toward Karabakh conflict's peaceful
settlement: Hoagland

by  Leman Zeynalova, Trend News Agency, Baku, Azerbaijan



Aug. 16--The United States remains committed to working with the
parties of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict toward a
peaceful settlement of the conflict, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair
from the US, Ambassador Richard Hoagland told Trend Aug.16.

He noted that the issues relating to the return of territories, return
of Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs to their lands, non-use of force and
status for Nagorno-Karabakh are all important elements of a
comprehensive settlement the parties need to discuss.

"This is precisely why my fellow co-chairs and I continue to encourage
the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia to meet at the earliest
possible opportunity and engage in good-faith negotiations on a way
forward," he said. "I would like to remind that the OSCE co-chairs are
mediators and facilitators. We cannot force a final decision; only the
leaders of the sides can decide when it is finally time to make an
historic decision that will guarantee peace and lead to eventual
prosperity for the entire region."

During the increased diplomatic activity in the coming weeks and
months, the co-chairs will be making a number of statements to
reinforce policy and encourage highest-level negotiations, added
Hoagland.

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

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions
on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding districts.