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ANKARA: U.S. Sees Progress In Nagorno-Karabakh, High-Tension In Cauc

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  • ANKARA: U.S. Sees Progress In Nagorno-Karabakh, High-Tension In Cauc

    U.S. SEES PROGRESS IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH, HIGH-TENSION IN CAUCASUS

    Hurriyet
    Nov 4 2008
    Turkey

    ISTANBUL - An official from the U.S. said there is progress in the
    efforts to resolve the long-standing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict but
    refrained from declaring an end to tensions in the Caucasus.

    The clashes between Russia and Georgia in August placed the region's
    frozen conflicts, a legacy of the Soviet Union, under the spotlight.

    Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the two breakaway regions
    of Georgia, while the negotiations to resolve Nagorno-Karabakh issue,
    the other frozen conflict, had intensified.

    "There is a lot progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. There is a
    lot happening. I can't predict if or when we will succeed. But the
    presidents of both Armenia and Azerbaijan seem committed to try to
    reach a framework agreement now," said Matt Bryza, deputy assistant
    secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs.

    Bryza spoke to HotNewsTurkey ahead of a visit to Moscow the weekend
    where he will attended negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue
    hosted by Russia.

    Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders met in Moscow at the weekend and
    signed a declaration calling for a "peaceful resolution" to their
    dispute over the province of Nagorno-Karabakh on the basis of "binding
    international guarantees", taking a step further towards the resolution
    of the conflict.

    The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia began in 1988 on Armenian
    territorial claims over Azerbaijan.

    Since 1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20 percent of
    Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven
    surrounding districts, displacing 10 percent of the Azeri population
    in the series of bloody clashes both between and within the two
    neighboring countries.

    Bryza, who is the American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group that acts
    as a mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve the conflict,
    also said Turkey can play a huge role in facilitating a resolution,
    helping the mediation role by maintaining strong relations with
    Azerbaijan and normalizing relations with Armenia.

    "The mediation structure is now working very well," Bryza said,
    ruling out suggestions that the warmer relations between Ankara and
    Yerevan could lead to Turkey playing a mediator role in the process.

    TENSION REMAINS HIGH

    Although Bryza sounded optimistic on the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh
    conflict, he cautioned that the tension in the Caucasus is far from
    being over.

    He said there are signs coming from South Ossetia, especially the
    violence being carried out by gangs, and "there could be another
    miscalculation that leads to war," he added.

    "We urge our Russian colleagues to do everything possible to behave
    responsibly... We underscore it is Russia's responsibility as an
    occupying power to ensure that human rights and the rule of law appeal
    itself in South Ossetia and in Abkhazia and it hasn't happened,"
    he said.

    He said Russia should allow humanitarian aid workers access to South
    Ossetia and Abkhazia, adding it is violating its ceasefire commitments
    by failing to withdraw all of its troops to their original positions.
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