US diplomat: Peace talks not deadlocked despite exhausted mediating effort
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
posted July 10 2006
Baku, July 7, AssA-Irada — The US mediator brokering settlement to
the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict says the
"creative potential" of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs has run out,
but this does not mean an impasse in the peace process.
"The latest statement of the mediators made at the OSCE Permanent
Council meeting that they cannot achieve any more progress in
determining the principles for peaceful settlement does not imply
a deadlock. It means that the co-chairmen’s efforts have been
exhausted and there is a need for initiatives from the two countries’
presidents," the US co-chair Matthew Bryza said in an interview with
the BBC’s Azeri service.
"The statement means that we have reached a point where the co-chairs
are saying the two leaders should make a decision on what they want,"
Bryza said.
He said the heads of state have political will and are willing to
cooperate.
"But we are not sure if they are ready to take the final and
challenging step – finalize the framework agreement. This is time when
the two leaders should explain the benefit of the peace plan to their
people and show them the way to advance through concessions. This is
a road of diplomacy, not war."
Bryza said there are fair and promising principles on the negotiating
table.
"These are the best proposals made so far. I would say that we are
closer to peace than ever before. But I can’t guarantee that the
presidents would use their sovereign right to accept these proposals
or make changes that would suit both sides."
The intermediary stressed that the US government’s statements on
supporting Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and the issue of Upper
Garabagh’s self-determination are not contradictory.
"If you are paying attention to the co-chairs’ statements, there
is reference to both principles. The main thing is to find a common
ground in these principles at the negotiating table," Bryza said.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Taghizada said the US co-chair’s
statement suggesting that the mediators have exhausted their creativity
raises different questions.
"I am not sure how it should be assessed. It appears that the co-chairs
want to step aside from the peace process and lay responsibility on
the parties to the conflict.
"This is wrong. But if this [the statement] aims to give an incentive
[to the sides], that’s different," Taghizada said.
With regard to compromises, Taghizada said it is not clear what the
US diplomat means.
"He probably remembers that although Azerbaijan has been subjected
to aggression and occupation, it remains committed to diplomatic
contacts. This is our biggest compromise. It is wrong to equate an
aggressor with a victim of aggression."
Taghizada declined detailed comment on the assumptions that the
OSCE mediators’ latest statements are aimed to put pressure on the
conflicting sides, but said there is no need to pressure Azerbaijan.
"We understand very well how serious the unresolved status of
the Garabagh conflict is for the region and the international
community. This is one of the priorities in Azerbaijan’s foreign
policy," he added.*