AZG Armenian Daily #102, 30/05/2008
Karabakh issue
IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO RESTART THE WAR
OSCE Minsk Group Russian former Co-chair, Deputy Chairman of the
Russian Diplomats Association Vladimir Kazimirov in a press conference
mentioned that it is important not to restart the war.
According to him, while Azerbaijan hopes for military revenge and the
Armenian party tries to hold the most advantageous field positions,
the progress in the political settlement of the conflict is
impossible. "I don’t understand the Armenian party that agrees to
discuss the issue of Karabakh status after 10-15 years. Here the
position is so clear that 5 years would be sufficient", mentioned
V. Kazimirov.
Touching upon the ceasefire agreement achieved 14 years ago on the
Armenian-Azerbaijani contact line Mr. Kazimirov mentioned that
besides the Bishkek statement signed on May 5, there are also two
other documents that serve as a basis for it – the statement of the
leaders of CIS countries on Nagorno Karabakh conflict adopted in April
1994 and the document of ceasefire maintenance signed by the heads of
military departments of the three parties of the conflict.
The former Co-chair criticizes not so much the Minsk Group that has
become a consultation body rather than the Co-chairs. According to
him, settlement of the conflict based on the ideas being discussed at
present brings into question the compromise between the parties and
demands prolonging at best.
Translated by L.H.