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BAKU: No light at the end of the tunnel

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  • BAKU: No light at the end of the tunnel

    AzerNews, Azerbaijan
    June 23 2005

    No light at the end of the tunnel


    The talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers held in
    Paris on Friday were 'comprehensive, serious and beneficial', Azeri
    officials have said.
    The ministers held a meeting attended by the co-chairs of the OSCE
    Minsk Group (MG) mediating the Upper Garabagh conflict settlement.
    The intermediaries also met with each minister in private.

    Liberation of the occupied territories, the return of displaced
    persons home and other issues were discussed.
    The parties did not reach any specific agreements but their positions
    'drew closer' on some issues, Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov
    said on Monday.
    "The return of occupied territories is a pivotal issue for
    Azerbaijan. This however, does not mean settling the conflict yet, as
    a number of other problems will remain to be solved."
    Azimov told a news briefing that to achieve a conflict resolution,
    the contempt between the two nations should be done away with, while
    Azerbaijan and Armenia should start cooperating.
    Among other key issues discussed in Paris was the co-existence of the
    Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Upper Garabagh. The issue of
    granting Garabagh the status of self-administration is currently not
    being discussed, the Deputy Foreign Minister said.
    "The status of the region should be determined with the involvement
    of all people living here. For this to be possible, all refugees must
    return home."
    Azimov said Azerbaijan proposed to ensure a transportation link
    between Upper Garabagh and Armenia, which is 'currently under
    scrutiny'. The proposal dwells upon restoring and opening the road
    connecting Aghdam, Khankandi, Shusha, Lachin, the Goris and Sisian
    regions of Armenia, and Shahbuz, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, with
    further access to Turkey. Certainly, the road may open after the
    occupied territories are liberated, said Azimov.
    The Deputy Foreign Minister noted that the sides are interested in
    opening this road, as it goes through residential areas populated by
    both Azerbaijanis and Armenians.
    "This road would facilitate restoring trust between Azerbaijani and
    Armenian residents in the region. Opening of the road has not only
    pragmatic but also political importance."
    In reply to a question whether the road will open before or after the
    status of Garabagh is determined, Azimov said 'it will be an
    important step in the peace process leading to the status
    determination'. As for financing issues, he said the road will not
    require considerable funds, as it already exists and it is necessary
    only to restore it in some areas and build small sections along the
    route.
    The Deputy Foreign Minister said a donor conference will be held on
    the initiative of the OSCE Minsk Group after Azerbaijan and Armenia
    reach an accord. Considerable funds will be required to restore the
    liberated land, establish infrastructure and implement mine clearing
    operations there, which cannot be done on account of the Azerbaijani
    government alone, Azimov said.
    "The European Union and other international organizations have
    already said they will allocate funds for the purpose. Moreover, some
    donor countries have stated they will be involved in the process on
    the individual basis."
    The Deputy Foreign Minister noted that peacekeeping forces will be
    stationed in the conflict zone after the conflict is resolved.
    "It has been agreed that co-chairing countries [France, United States
    and Russia] will not be included in these forces. The precise make-up
    of peacekeepers will be determined as results are achieved in peace
    talks."
    The MG co-chairs will visit Baku next month. The visit is likely to
    take place on July 10 or 11. Its precise date will be determined
    shortly. The intermediaries will leave Baku for Yerevan.
    "Azerbaijan would like for the co-chairs to come up with concrete
    proposals during their visit to the region", Azimov said.
    The next meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents will be
    held in Kazan, Russia late in August as part of the summit of the
    Commonwealth of Independent States, the Deputy Foreign Minister said.

    Azerbaijan suggested that the two countries' foreign ministers meet
    again at least twice before the presidents' meeting.
    "In general, the Azerbaijani side wants the negotiating process to be
    stepped up", Azimov said. He emphasized that it is time to continue
    the negotiations on the level of experts.
    With regard to the so-called 'elections' held by Garabagh
    separatists, Azimov said this may be prevented only through peace.
    "The conflict must be resolved within democracy and Azerbaijan's
    territorial integrity. Our position was fully supported by the MG
    co-chairs."
    The mediators said at the Paris meeting that they consider the regime
    in Garabagh illegitimate and do not recognize the results of the
    'elections'.

    'No progress'
    Armenian foreign minister Oskanian says that talks with his Azeri
    counterpart Mammadyarov were fruitless.
    "Although the Presidents are taking little steps forward, no progress
    was achieved at the Paris meeting."
    Oskanian was quoted by Radio Liberty as saying that the discussions
    covered all areas - from the status of Upper Garabagh to refugees'
    problems and security.
    "The issue of peacekeepers was also discussed but negotiating this is
    premature. The status of Garabagh is the most important issue for
    Yerevan and until it is determined, other issues should not be
    considered."
    Oskanian also said that 'the foreign ministers failed to revitalize
    the agreement reached by the two presidents in Warsaw'.
    "We agreed to continue the talks and will probably meet again in
    July", he said.
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