BAKU INSISTS YEREVAN MUST ACCEPT OSCE PLAN
news.az
May 5 2010
Azerbaijan
Novruz Mammadov A senior Azerbaijani official has said that Armenia
did ask the OSCE mediators for time to withdraw from the districts
of Lachin and Kelbajar.
‘Araz Azimov’s ideas comprehensively clarify certain issues that
are on the negotiating table. The deputy minister raised the issues
negotiated there,’ Novruz Mammadov, head of the International Relations
Department at the Presidential Administration, said today.
He was commenting on remarks by Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister
Araz Azimov yesterday that Armenia had asked for time to withdraw
from Lachin and Kelbajar.
Mammadov said these proposals had been elaborated by the OSCE Minsk
Group mediators. ‘From this point of view, indeed Armenia demanded
time not only for withdrawal from these two regions, but for other
issues raised by Araz Azimov. Armenia demanded two weeks; several
months have passed, but there is no reaction yet.’
The head of department said the Minsk Group co-chairs were working on
it and keeping in touch with the sides. ‘Maybe we will be informed
about the positions of the sides soon. The issue raised is the most
correct way to solve the conflict. There is no other solution. Armenia
must understand this full well. This is an opportunity for the
international community and for the leaders of the co-chairing
countries. It needs to put pressure on Armenia and to try to solve
the problem.’
Asked whether war would be unavoidable by the end of the year,
Mammadov said: ‘It is difficult to forecast war, but we are always
ready to liberate our lands by any means.’
Mammadov said the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs were working in Vienna
on the issues raised by Araz Azimov. ‘They have to force Armenia to
accept the project they have elaborated.’