SOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT "ALMOST FOUND"

PanARMENIAN.Net - The conflicting parties have already agreed on the key points of a peace deal that could be formalized as early as this year or at the beginning of next, a high-level source told RFE/RL. According to the source, the current state of the talks "is very similar to the Key West phase of the settlement (April 2001), when everyone thought accord is reached and the problem will be solved soon." In the words of the source, a similar state may be formed at the Kazan meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in August. There FMs of the two countries, as well as Presidents R. Kocharian and I. Aliyev will discuss the text of the agreement on settlement of the conflict. According to the source, A referendum to be held within 10 to 15 years from the signing of a peace agreement will form the basis of the peace process and will allow the Nagorno Karabakh people to decide Karabakh fate on their own. "The option of a referendum was already proposed a few months ago, however the matter concerned a referendum both in Azerbaijan and NK, and now the matter concerns a referendum to be held only in NKR. At that Azerbaijan will de facto recognize the status of Nagorno Karabakh, i.e. the right for self-determination. Lachin will remain under control of Karabakh. As of the Azeri lands controlled by Armenia, these are returned to Azerbaijan in exchange for agreement to hold a referendum," the source stated, adding that in the course of the referendum "the Karabakh people should decide their status, i.e. join Armenia, remain within Azerbaijan or become independent." Security guarantees were spoken about much - the source continued, - Armenian and Azeri diplomats, as well as international mediators have announced that international peacekeeping forces will be present in the conflict zone. However, it is not specified which forces these will be. "Azerbaijan has always come against Russian peacekeepers, and Armenia was against Turkish ones," he said. As reported by diplomatic sources, the matter is almost solved, i.e. the forces should not represent an OSCE MG member country. This fits both the interests of Azerbaijan and Armenia, as Russia and Turkey are part of the OSCE MG. The source also reported that the "stepwise-package" format includes the Armenian-Turkish relations as well, specifically the issue of opening of the Armenian-Turkish border. Upon the signing of the accord Turkey will open its border with Armenia, Azerbaijan will lift the blockade of communication routes. As reported by the same source, the conflict solution is "almost found." Already in early June a supreme White House official stated "there is notable progress in peaceful settlement of the NK conflict," Regnum news agency reported.