Bryza Statement is OSCE MG General Assessment of Current Phase of Talks
«This is the third day that Baku and Yerevan have resumed a fierce debate over settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The interview of new US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno Karabakh Matthew Bryza served as a cause. He gave that after the report on the course of the talks between Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, made by MG Co-Chairs at the session of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna June 22. For the first time the US diplomat revealed some details of the framework agreement, the MG proposed to the parties to conflict,» writes the Vremya Novostey, a Russian newspaper.
According to the publication, in Matthew Bryza's words, Baku and Yerevan now discuss «points of an agreement, according to which Armenian military formations should release territories of Azerbaijan.» The document in question specifically reflects the matter of deployment of peacekeeping forces. A referendum on NK status is planned at the final stage. According to OSCE MG Russian Co-Chair Yuri Merzlyakov, the statement of his US colleague was agreed upon by other co-chairs and is their common evaluation of the current stage of the negotiations.
Yerevan was the first to respond to Bryza's interview. The Armenian MFA stated that conflict settlement principles are revealed in it only «partially». Matters of corridor between Armenia and NK and its interim status before the referendum are left out. Yerevan underscores that «the OSCE MG co-chairs state for the first time that the NK status should be determined by means of a referendum.» The disaccord in the negotiations does not refer to the referendum - the Presidents have already agreed upon the issue. «Differences refer to the sequence of elimination of consequences of the armed conflict,» the Armenian MFA stated. Yerevan calls settlement principles proposed by the MG «serious basis for continuing talks with Azerbaijan» and reaffirms its readiness to continue these.
Baku response followed. The Azeri MFA calls Yerevan's statement «a traditional attempt of purposeful distortion of the negotiation process» and «speculation».
Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev added fuel by stating yesterday, «The degree of combat efficiency of the Azeri Armed Forces allows liberating our lands by force. Only time is necessary for that and Armenians are afraid of war.» The general accused «superpowers, who want to keep Azerbaijan within the sphere of their influence» in being interested in the Karabakh conflict. «However, after they see our strength, they will give up their intention, we will prove it,» Day.az cited Abiyev. Very few doubt that this needles Russia
None of the parties to conflict indicates the stumbling block in the talks. According to the informed sources of the VN, Armenia was ready to allow Azeri refugees and administration return to Kelbajar region at the initial phase of the negotiations: having stipulated that Baku will fix an acceptable date for the referendum in Karabakh - even in a few years. However, Baku refuses to do it. The same sources of the VN believe speaking of the possible meeting of Armenian and Azeri Presidents within the G8 summit in St. Petersburg is groundless, though Baku and Yerevan hint at it, «Kocharian-Aliyev meeting is hardly possible before the autumn.»
As of unexpected removal of secrecy of the information on the course of the talks, according to ICG Vice President Alain Deletroz, «the mediators are tired of talks and they made a correct step, which will promote wide and open nation-wide dialogue on the core of the issue.» In his opinion, «Azeris and Armenians can now make their own opinion on what is on the bargaining table of the Presidents,» the VN writes.
According to the publication, in Matthew Bryza's words, Baku and Yerevan now discuss «points of an agreement, according to which Armenian military formations should release territories of Azerbaijan.» The document in question specifically reflects the matter of deployment of peacekeeping forces. A referendum on NK status is planned at the final stage. According to OSCE MG Russian Co-Chair Yuri Merzlyakov, the statement of his US colleague was agreed upon by other co-chairs and is their common evaluation of the current stage of the negotiations.
Yerevan was the first to respond to Bryza's interview. The Armenian MFA stated that conflict settlement principles are revealed in it only «partially». Matters of corridor between Armenia and NK and its interim status before the referendum are left out. Yerevan underscores that «the OSCE MG co-chairs state for the first time that the NK status should be determined by means of a referendum.» The disaccord in the negotiations does not refer to the referendum - the Presidents have already agreed upon the issue. «Differences refer to the sequence of elimination of consequences of the armed conflict,» the Armenian MFA stated. Yerevan calls settlement principles proposed by the MG «serious basis for continuing talks with Azerbaijan» and reaffirms its readiness to continue these.
Baku response followed. The Azeri MFA calls Yerevan's statement «a traditional attempt of purposeful distortion of the negotiation process» and «speculation».
Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev added fuel by stating yesterday, «The degree of combat efficiency of the Azeri Armed Forces allows liberating our lands by force. Only time is necessary for that and Armenians are afraid of war.» The general accused «superpowers, who want to keep Azerbaijan within the sphere of their influence» in being interested in the Karabakh conflict. «However, after they see our strength, they will give up their intention, we will prove it,» Day.az cited Abiyev. Very few doubt that this needles Russia
None of the parties to conflict indicates the stumbling block in the talks. According to the informed sources of the VN, Armenia was ready to allow Azeri refugees and administration return to Kelbajar region at the initial phase of the negotiations: having stipulated that Baku will fix an acceptable date for the referendum in Karabakh - even in a few years. However, Baku refuses to do it. The same sources of the VN believe speaking of the possible meeting of Armenian and Azeri Presidents within the G8 summit in St. Petersburg is groundless, though Baku and Yerevan hint at it, «Kocharian-Aliyev meeting is hardly possible before the autumn.»
As of unexpected removal of secrecy of the information on the course of the talks, according to ICG Vice President Alain Deletroz, «the mediators are tired of talks and they made a correct step, which will promote wide and open nation-wide dialogue on the core of the issue.» In his opinion, «Azeris and Armenians can now make their own opinion on what is on the bargaining table of the Presidents,» the VN writes.
