Experts: Agreement on Karabakh Status May Serve as Base for Break in Talks

PanARMENIAN.Net - Representatives of the French President reported that during his meeting with Armenian and Azeri Presidents Robert Kocharian and Ilham Aliyev French leader Jacques Chirac wished them good luck in the talks that give much hope. Many columnists suppose a break will be made during settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in 2006. "There is a chance to lay the foundations for an agreement," French President's official representative Jerome Bonnafont cited Chirac. "Jacques Chirac assured both presidents that the international community wishes to support the efforts of establishing peace." In diplomats' words, Baku and Yerevan representatives discuss NK possible status. This is perhaps the major stumbling block at the talks. The Armenian party refuses any opportunity of subordination to Baku authorities. Azerbaijan says any decision on Karabakh status should be taken within the framework of country's territorial integrity. Just agreement on the status may serve as base for a break.



However, experts suppose that judging from Aliyev's and Kocharian's hard-edged statements, as well as the militant publications of Azeri and Armenian media, attaining a break will not be easy. In diplomats' words, any document will most likely contain an agreement over withdrawal of Armenian troops from regions around NK in exchange for keeping control over Karabakh territory itself. The matter may also concern sending international peacekeeping forces. At that a referendum on NK status may be postponed for unknown time, BBC reported.