December 25, 2003 - 22:07 AMT
ARMENIA DOES NOT FEEL PRESSURE BY KARABAKH SETTLEMENT INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS
Armenian President Robert Kocharian denied statements by the opposition that international mediators on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict put pressure on Yerevan, making it to sign a peace document unfavorable for Armenia. Answering the questions of "Golos Armenii" newspaper he noted that the format of negotiations and the methodology used in the talks do not provide for pressure the opposition speaks about. In his words, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and leaders of their respective countries have repeatedly stated they are ready to contribute to the settlement, however the decision should be made by the parties to conflict. "Up to today (and I hope it will remain the same in the prospects) the settlement formula and methodology have not changed," the President stated. At that he made a supposition that the opposition hopes to see fulfilled its plans of coming to power via the situation, the pressure may result in.