Co-Chairs leaving for Karabakh to gain better notion of the wishes and
ideas of the Karabakhi people
15.01.2008 16:14
Tatul Hakobyan
"Radiolur"
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs arrived in Armenia today. Later tonight
the Russian, French and American Co-Chairs will leave for Nagorno
Karabakh, and will return to Yerevan in two days. This is perhaps the
last visit of the Co-Chairs to the region before the presidential
elections in Armenia.
American Co-Chair Matthew Bryza said during a briefing with journalists
that in Baku and Yerevan they learned the opinions of Presidents Robert
Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev.
The aim of the Co-Chairs’ visit is to improve the content of the
document suggested to the parties and overcome the remaining
disagreements.
Bryza found it difficult to predict whether any agreement will be
signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan before the presidential elections
in Armenia. Any of the sides has its position, which it must defend,
and every word must be seriously interpreted, which demands time.
‘I do not say I’m an optimist or a pessimist. I hope that I’m doing my
work effectively. We will do a good work by helping the Presidents to
move forward, and it’s happening, they are moving forward. It’s no
sense saying whether I’m an optimist or pessimist.’
Elections are not the best time for expecting progress in the
settlement of a complex issue like the Karabakh conflict. Can the
presidential elections have a negative impact on the negotiation
process? In response to the question, Mr. Bryza noted: `I hope they
will not. It seems that all presidential candidates in Armenia stand
for the Karabakh process to move forward. In my opinion, all the
presidential contenders understand that the document on the bargaining
table is fair and balanced.’
What is the main purpose of visiting Nagorno Karabakh? `We need to
better understand the situation there. We must better know all the
persons there. We must understand the attitude of the Karabakhi people
towards the document. We must have better information.’
Are the Co-Chairs going to present the document to the authorities in
Stepanakert? Is the Karabakhi side familiar with the suggestion? Bryza
responded he is not aware.
`We have presented the document to the Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan. We, the Co-Chairs, are leaving for Nagorno Karabakh to gain
better perception of the wishes and ideas of the Karabakhi people.’
After visiting Yerevan and Stepanakert, the Co-Chairs will return to
Baku.