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Aliyev Says Karabakh Independence Not Discussed In Talks

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  • Aliyev Says Karabakh Independence Not Discussed In Talks

    ALIYEV SAYS KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE NOT DISCUSSED IN TALKS

    Asbarez
    http://www.asbarez.com/2009/10/19/a liyev-says-karabakh-independence-not-discussed-in- talks/
    Oct 19th, 2009

    BAKU (APA)-Azeri President Ilham Aliyev on Saturday, in addressing his
    government, unequivocally rejected granting independence to Karabakh
    as he outlined key points to which, he alleged, both sides have agreed.

    "The issue of granting independence to Nagorno Karabakh at whatever
    time-even in a 100 years-is not discussed in negotiations and it never
    will," said Aliyev adding, "Azeri lands must be liberated from the
    invaders. Citizens of Azerbaijan, internally displaced persons should
    return to their native lands, including to Nagorno-Karabakh. This
    issue is also reflected in the negotiating process."

    "Nagorno-Karabakh may be granted temporary status. But this does not
    mean independence, and the two parties-Armenia and Azerbaijan-will
    continue to discuss the future status of Nagorno Karabakh in
    further negotiations. Here are the basic principles around which the
    negotiations are continuing. I hope that the Armenian side will soon
    take the steps necessary to solve the problem by showing a constructive
    approach," said Aliyev.

    After the recent meeting in Moldova with his Armenian counterpart,
    Serzh Sarkisian, Aliyev announced that talks had not yielded any
    results, countering Armenian and OSCE statements that proclaimed
    optimism about the continuing negotiations.

    In his Saturday remarks, Aliyev pointed the finger at Armenia saying
    that his observed impasse was a result of the "unconstructive position
    of Armenia," which he said was employing "delaying tactics." He accused
    Armenia of bringing up issued that he claimed have been agreed to
    back to the negotiation table.

    On several occasions during his presentation Saturday, the Azeri
    president reiterated his belief that Armenia must "withdraw" from
    the liberated territories surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,
    adding that continuing the talks based on the principle of territorial
    integrity has been agreed upon by all parties.

    "Most of all, Azerbaijan wants the status quo in the region to change.

    This status quo has kept our territories under occupation for 20
    years. But this status quo should change positively. If the status
    quo changes at the expense of Azerbaijan's interests, we will not
    allow it," proclaimed Aliyev.

    "The Azeri army is the strongest in the region with the largest
    military capabilities. We need to continue to expand this capacity
    because, as I said, we are living [in a state of] war. The war is not
    over yet, and the negotiations on the settlement of the Armenian-Azeri
    conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, unfortunately, have not yielded any
    results yet," declared Aliyev.
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