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OSCE Minsk Group Presents Summary Of Field Assessment Mission's Repo

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  • OSCE Minsk Group Presents Summary Of Field Assessment Mission's Repo

    OSCE MINSK GROUP PRESENTS SUMMARY OF FIELD ASSESSMENT MISSION'S REPORT

    news.am
    March 24 2011
    Armenia

    OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs presented the Executive Summary of the
    report of Field Assessment Mission conducted in Nagorno-Karabakh.

    Armenian News-NEWS.am posts the text available on OSCE website.

    The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs conducted a Field Assessment
    Mission to the seven occupied territories of Azerbaijan surrounding
    Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) from October 7-12, 2010, to assess the overall
    situation there, including humanitarian and other aspects. The
    Co-Chairs were joined by the Personal Representative of the OSCE
    Chairman-in-Office and his team, which provided logistical support,
    and by two experts from the UNHCR and one member of the 2005 OSCE
    Fact-Finding Mission. This was the first mission by the international
    community to the territories since 2005, and the first visit by UN
    personnel in 18 years.

    In traveling more than 1,000 kilometers throughout the territories,
    the Co-Chairs saw stark evidence of the disastrous consequences of
    the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the failure to reach a peaceful
    settlement. Towns and villages that existed before the conflict are
    abandoned and almost entirely in ruins. While no reliable figures
    exist, the overall population is roughly estimated as 14,000 persons,
    living in small settlements and in the towns of Lachin and Kelbajar.

    The Co-Chairs assess that there has been no significant growth in the
    population since 2005. The settlers, for the most part ethnic Armenians
    who were relocated to the territories from elsewhere in Azerbaijan,
    live in precarious conditions, with poor infrastructure, little
    economic activity, and limited access to public services. Many lack
    identity documents. For administrative purposes, the seven territories,
    the former NK Oblast, and other areas have been incorporated into
    eight new districts.

    The harsh reality of the situation in the territories has reinforced
    the view of the Co-Chairs that the status quo is unacceptable, and
    that only a peaceful, negotiated settlement can bring the prospect
    of a better, more certain future to the people who used to live in
    the territories and those who live there now. The Co-Chairs urge the
    leaders of all the parties to avoid any activities in the territories
    and other disputed areas that would prejudice a final settlement
    or change the character of these areas. They also recommend that
    measures be taken to preserve cemeteries and places of worship in the
    territories and to clarify the status of settlers who lack identity
    documents. The Co-Chairs intend to undertake further missions to other
    areas affected by the NK conflict, and to include in such missions
    experts from relevant international agencies that would be involved
    in implementing a peace settlement.




    From: A. Papazian
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