MATTHEW BRYZA REFUTES INFORMATION ABOUT PREPARATION OF A "SECRET PROTOCOL"
Noyan Tapan
Nov 17, 2008
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-chair,
Ambassador Matthew Bryza considers the current visit of OSCE Minsk
Group Co-chairs to the region constructive and successful. He stated
this at the November 17 press conference.
Matthew Bryza refuted information about preparation of a "secret
protocol binding the Armenian side" spread by some sources. In his
words, such rumors do not correspond to reality.
He specially mentioned that the mood of the Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan has considerably changed for the better after the November
2 meeting in Moscow. "Mutual respect by both Presidents constantly
grows. In order to outline the further settlement ways they start
looking at the process with each other’s eyes," the American Co-chair
stated.
Matthew Bryza assured that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs have much
work to do. In particular, the work with the Presidents and Foreign
Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will be continued. "We are content
with the fact that both Presidents instructed their Foreign Ministers
to start working in the spirit of pragmatism," Matthew Bryza stated.
In his words, the most important is that none of the sides undertake
measures that can endanger the settlement process. The American
diplomat expressed deep concern with the information about the
military incident not far from Fizuli, about which he learnt the day
before. That incident once more shows the necessity to deepen the
confidence measures, as it is confidence that should help to prevent
such incidents. A. Bryza reminded that according to one of the points
of the Declaration signed in Moscow, the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict should be peaceful and political.
As regards the statements he made in Baku about the necessity to
withdraw the Armenian armed formations from the territories adjoining
Nagorno Karabakh, the American diplomat mentioned that there is a
tendency in Baku to cover any issue one-sidedly, be it the Nagorno
Karabakh problem, agricultural or some other issues. "I said in my
interview to Azeri journalists that a balanced solution is needed,
but the journalists wanted to provide information in favor of them,"
M. Bryza stated.