Matthew Bryza: "Decision on Karabakh's future status is not my task as mediator"

PanARMENIAN.Net - "There exist three major principles, which will influence on the talks around the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement: refusal from the use of force, recognition of the right to territorial integrity of countries and the right of nations to national self-determination. I think, in any conflicts, let it be in Georgia, Moldavia or Caucasus, if people are looking for a peaceful solution it is possible to find a compromise between those principles," OSCE Minsk Group American Co-Chair, US Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza stated.



He said the United States has been founded by separatists. "After some time several countries recognized our independence, this is normal. We reached the right to self-determination. And then -in the XVIII century, after several years other former colonies of Spain also needed our help; we were asked to recognize their independence. But we said, "No, thanks, it does not proceed from our interests!" However, we put in every case all approaches differ from each other," M. Bryza said. The American diplomat underlined that the search of compromises is the objective of leaders. He thinks the right to self-determination can reach independence or autonomous status. "And as a mediator I cannot determine what status we will have at the end. It is not my mission. Perhaps, representatives of the nations will decide in future that it would be better for Karabakh to be independent? Or they may decide that the disputed region must be a part of Azerbaijan with a high level of independence? However, this is not my task… Negotiations are on the way, we are looking for compromises. But I'd like not to comment on details of the discussion between the two presidents. According to the Constitution of Azerbaijan, the referendum must be held with the participation of citizens of Azerbaijan. If so, what would it mean for the status of Karabakh, what will be the result of it? And now the Armenian side thinks over it, what is better for him, what will mean that referendum if the Azeri side entirely participates in it? Or perhaps we will have another definition, another word, which would reflect the number of votes or residents or former residents of Karabakh who can participate in the voting. And this is a question for presidents, not for me," Bryza underlined.



At the same time he thinks there exists a right for all refugees to return, this is a principal issue. "But we cannot force a solution to this issue. The presidents themselves must decide and resolve it: when, how, on what conditions and so on," the OSCE MG American mediator said, "Vremya Novostei" reports.