Boris Yeltsin warned against “neither war nor peace” threats back in 1997

January 8, 2011 - 15:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - In a letter first President of Russia Boris Yeltsin sent to his U.S. counterpart Bill Clinton in 1997, Yelthin wrote that “the main tasks of Russia's Caucasus-oriented policy are provision of stability at our southern frontiers, cooperation in the establishment of territorial integrity in the neighboring countries of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.”

As he went on to say, “The South Caucasus is among the most “explosive” spots in post-Soviet space, with protracted conflicts in Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia further exacerbating the regional situation. Some positive tendencies, such as observation of ceasefire, have been achieved through the assistance of mediating states, UN and OSCE, with certain negotiation mechanisms operating. However, current situation of “neither war nor peace” is fraught with new threats.”

“I'm satisfied with the interaction between our countries in Karabakh conflict settlement. The issue was recently discussed with Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev. Though the conversation was complicated, we succeeded in convincing him of the necessity of a more flexible and constructive approach to key issues in conflicts settlement,” Yeltsin said in his letter.

The Russian President further stated that the settlement will be conducted with the involvement of 3 co-chairs from Russia, U.S. and France. The President characterized peaceful settlement of the conflict as the only possible option, expressing readiness to cooperate with U.S. in provision of stability in South Caucasus, Russia in Global Affairs magazine reported.