Middle East Times, Egypt
March 7 2008
Nagorno-Karabakh shooting prompts concern
Published: March 06, 2008
HELSINKI, Finland, March 6 (UPI) -- The head of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe has called for restraint after
violations of the Nagorno-Karabakh cease-fire.
A dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed
Nagorno-Karabakh area led to an exchange of fire and the death of as
many as 16 soldiers. The OSCE chairman-in-office, Finnish Foreign
Minister Ilkka Kanerva, is calling for restraint from both sides of
the conflict, the OSCE reported.
"I call on the parties to exercise maximum restraint, and observe the
terms of the cease-fire," Kanerva said in a statement. "At this
critical juncture in the negotiations to find a peaceful solution to
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, any action leading to a
destabilization of the line of contact can only have a negative
impact on the overall situation. I urge the parties to avoid actions
that could lead to further unnecessary loss of life."
The exchange violates the cease-fire agreement established by Armenia
and Azerbaijan in 1994 after a bloody conflict. Kanerva was in the
region to attend the OSCE Minsk Conference and says during talks with
Armenia and Azerbaijan officials he "underlined the importance of
maintaining stability in the region and of efforts towards a peaceful
resolution of the conflict," the release said.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in
any form.
March 7 2008
Nagorno-Karabakh shooting prompts concern
Published: March 06, 2008
HELSINKI, Finland, March 6 (UPI) -- The head of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe has called for restraint after
violations of the Nagorno-Karabakh cease-fire.
A dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed
Nagorno-Karabakh area led to an exchange of fire and the death of as
many as 16 soldiers. The OSCE chairman-in-office, Finnish Foreign
Minister Ilkka Kanerva, is calling for restraint from both sides of
the conflict, the OSCE reported.
"I call on the parties to exercise maximum restraint, and observe the
terms of the cease-fire," Kanerva said in a statement. "At this
critical juncture in the negotiations to find a peaceful solution to
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, any action leading to a
destabilization of the line of contact can only have a negative
impact on the overall situation. I urge the parties to avoid actions
that could lead to further unnecessary loss of life."
The exchange violates the cease-fire agreement established by Armenia
and Azerbaijan in 1994 after a bloody conflict. Kanerva was in the
region to attend the OSCE Minsk Conference and says during talks with
Armenia and Azerbaijan officials he "underlined the importance of
maintaining stability in the region and of efforts towards a peaceful
resolution of the conflict," the release said.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in
any form.