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BAKU: OSCE Karabakh mediators' visits have no impact

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  • BAKU: OSCE Karabakh mediators' visits have no impact

    Lider TV, Azerbaijan
    Dec 1 2011

    OSCE Karabakh mediators' visits have no impact


    [Presenter] The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen have released a statement
    about their visit to the region. Noting the incidents on the contact
    line, international mediators stressed the importance of observing the
    cease-fire agreement. However, the forecast of analysts is not
    positive. Intensity observed in the work of the Minsk Group will not
    influence the resolution of the conflict.

    [Correspondent] It is stated in the statement that the mediators
    travelled to Yerevan and Baku on 28-30 November. Jacques Faure, who
    will succeed Ambassador [Bernard] Fassier as the French co-chair of
    the Minsk Group, also participated in the visit. The co-chairmen met
    the presidents, foreign ministers and defence ministers in Yerevan and
    Baku. In all their meetings, they reaffirmed their strong commitment
    to assisting the sides in achieving a lasting and peaceful settlement
    to the Karabakh conflict.

    Noting recent reports on incidents on the contact line of the troops,
    the international mediators stressed the importance of respecting the
    cease-fire. They reiterated that such incidents demonstrate the need
    to implement the proposed mechanism to investigate incidents along the
    front-lines, on which the presidents have agreed in principle. The
    co-chairs also discussed additional measures for enhancing confidence
    through people-to-people exchanges and efforts to preserve places of
    worship, cultural sites, and cemeteries, the statement of the
    co-chairmen says.

    However, political analysts believe that the co-chairmen's visits to
    the region have no impact on the settlement of the conflict. The
    intensity observed in the work of the OSCE is calculated to delay the
    resolution process.

    [Cumsud Nuriyev, political analyst] Since the day the OSCE was
    created, nearly 40 years now, the OSCE has not resolved any conflicts
    so far. All of these three countries [co-chairing the Minsk Group] are
    the leading countries in the world. The USA and Russia are the
    countries standing in the opposite poles of the world, to say the
    least. And since this issue [Nagornyy Karabakh conflict settlement] is
    not within their interests, it is being delayed.

    Former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Libardyan [as heard; presumably
    former aide to the first president of Armenia Zhirayr Liparityan] has
    said in the USA that Russia has lost this card and now the USA will
    win the card. The main goal here is calculated for the upcoming
    elections. But at any rate, the OSCE's mission matches neither the
    OSCE regulation, nor the interests of the Azerbaijani government to
    restore its territorial integrity. It serves their own interest in the
    region more.

    [Corespondent] It is stated in the co-chairmen's statement that on 29
    November, the co-chairmen crossed the border between Armenia and
    Azerbaijan by foot, and met with local officials to discuss the
    situation in the border region. On 30 November, the co-chairmen met
    with representatives of Nagornyy Karabakh's Azerbaijani community, and
    underscored that a peaceful settlement must include the right of
    internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their former
    places of residence.

    In addition, two days ago Armenians once again refused to attend a
    meeting in Berlin of the local communities [Azerbaijani and Armenian
    communities of Karabakh]. This is explained by the invader country's
    fears that its policies of invasion might be exposed on an
    international level.

    [Cumsud Nuriyev] I do not think there will be another meeting next
    time. They are expecting Azerbaijan to send a weak delegation so that
    they can do provocative actions. As long as Azerbaijan pursues
    successful foreign diplomacy, Armenians will try to avoid such issues
    in this way or another.

    [Correspondent] Looking ahead to the December OSCE Ministerial Council
    meeting in Vilnius, the co-chairmen urged the sides to reaffirm their
    commitment to seeking a peaceful settlement and moving beyond the
    unacceptable status quo.

    Experts are not expecting any results from the council's Vilnius
    meeting to advance the settlement process.

    Ataya Alamdarqizi, Ceyhun Mustafayev, Lider TV.



    [translated from Azeri]

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