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NO GARABAGH 'FRAMEWORK ACCORD' ON AGENDA, AZERI OFFICIAL SAYS
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 4 2006
Baku, July 3, AssA-Irada
Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has said no "framework
agreement" on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict
is under discussion.
"There is no such document. I believe that in general, these statements
were rather hasty and of provocation nature. They were most likely
aimed to confuse the situation to see what happens next," Azimov
said while commenting on a recent statement by the co-chairs of the
mediating OSCE Minsk Group.
US co-chair Matthew Bryza has told Radio Liberty that the mediators
submitted a framework accord to the conflicting sides, but the latter
have yet to accept it.
Azimov said talking of any final document is premature at this stage
of the peace process.
"But I can say with confidence that there is no agreement, as the
talks are still underway.
"The co-chairs' statement was aimed to see how the developments unfold
and study public opinion. But in any case, it was inconclusive. Taking
some elements out of context only leads to misunderstanding."
The deputy minister went on to say that Armenia has started taking
advantage of the "shock therapy" statements to make speculations.
"Everyone will be held responsible for their statements. Making final
statements is inappropriate in the absence of any results after two
years of discussions," the diplomat said.
Azimov unequivocally dismissed the statements that the Azeri government
had agreed to hold a referendum on Upper Garabagh in the future. "The
Azerbaijani leadership will never act counter to the Constitution. This
is absolutely out of question."
Azimov said a referendum could be held only in the entire territory
of Azerbaijan as a nationwide poll, in compliance with the relevant
provision of the Constitution. The deputy minister said any issue, and
the territorial integrity and inviolability of borders in particular,
must be solved through a vote in the entire country.
"The Azerbaijani leadership will never back away from its stance on
the referendum issue. Any speculations to that end are false. Our
position is clear. Discussions on political issues are possible only
after armed conflicts are eliminated," the deputy minister said.
"The Armenians living in Upper Garabagh were not the only residents
of the region and Azerbaijanis lived there as well. If we are talking
about democracy, the demographic composition of the region is to
be restored and the Azeri community must return there. To make this
possible, a suitable peaceful environmental should be ensured, which
requires the withdrawal of Armenians. This is a normal and logical
process and the Armenian side has accepted this. Political issues and
determination of the status of the parties [residents] living in these
areas should be addressed in accord with the law."* The Azeri official
noted that the "referendum" term should be used as rarely as possible.
"By using this word, we serve Armenian purposes, as the main goal
pursued by Armenians and representatives of some countries supporting
them is to put forth some kind of a term that they could materialize
this in the future by causing disputes around it."
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 4 2006
Baku, July 3, AssA-Irada
Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has said no "framework
agreement" on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict
is under discussion.
"There is no such document. I believe that in general, these statements
were rather hasty and of provocation nature. They were most likely
aimed to confuse the situation to see what happens next," Azimov
said while commenting on a recent statement by the co-chairs of the
mediating OSCE Minsk Group.
US co-chair Matthew Bryza has told Radio Liberty that the mediators
submitted a framework accord to the conflicting sides, but the latter
have yet to accept it.
Azimov said talking of any final document is premature at this stage
of the peace process.
"But I can say with confidence that there is no agreement, as the
talks are still underway.
"The co-chairs' statement was aimed to see how the developments unfold
and study public opinion. But in any case, it was inconclusive. Taking
some elements out of context only leads to misunderstanding."
The deputy minister went on to say that Armenia has started taking
advantage of the "shock therapy" statements to make speculations.
"Everyone will be held responsible for their statements. Making final
statements is inappropriate in the absence of any results after two
years of discussions," the diplomat said.
Azimov unequivocally dismissed the statements that the Azeri government
had agreed to hold a referendum on Upper Garabagh in the future. "The
Azerbaijani leadership will never act counter to the Constitution. This
is absolutely out of question."
Azimov said a referendum could be held only in the entire territory
of Azerbaijan as a nationwide poll, in compliance with the relevant
provision of the Constitution. The deputy minister said any issue, and
the territorial integrity and inviolability of borders in particular,
must be solved through a vote in the entire country.
"The Azerbaijani leadership will never back away from its stance on
the referendum issue. Any speculations to that end are false. Our
position is clear. Discussions on political issues are possible only
after armed conflicts are eliminated," the deputy minister said.
"The Armenians living in Upper Garabagh were not the only residents
of the region and Azerbaijanis lived there as well. If we are talking
about democracy, the demographic composition of the region is to
be restored and the Azeri community must return there. To make this
possible, a suitable peaceful environmental should be ensured, which
requires the withdrawal of Armenians. This is a normal and logical
process and the Armenian side has accepted this. Political issues and
determination of the status of the parties [residents] living in these
areas should be addressed in accord with the law."* The Azeri official
noted that the "referendum" term should be used as rarely as possible.
"By using this word, we serve Armenian purposes, as the main goal
pursued by Armenians and representatives of some countries supporting
them is to put forth some kind of a term that they could materialize
this in the future by causing disputes around it."