ARMENIA REFUSES TO ACCEPT MADRID PRINCIPLES FOR KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS – AZERI OFFICIAL

Interfax
May 12 2010
Russia

The Azeri authorities have accused Armenia of refusing to say directly
whether or not it accepts the updated Madrid principles aimed at
settling the conflict over Nagorno- Karabakh.

"We are surprised by the Armenian side’s decision to ignore nine
meetings at the level of presidents that have been held since 2007,
when the Madrid proposals were presented. The updated Madrid document
based on the visions and approaches of the sides in the conflict
have already been prepared and submitted to the sides," Azeri Foreign
Ministry spokesman Elkhan Polukhov told Interfax.

Polukhov dismissed remarks of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian, who accused Azerbaijan of continuing to "distort the
essence of the talks", as "another insinuation".

Nalbandian said at a Council of Europe ministerial session in
Strasbourg that "Azerbaijan continues distorting the reasons and
consequences of both the conflict and the negotiations, and uses
every opportunity to threaten to use force."

"Evidently, the aim of Armenia’s insinuations is to avoid giving a
direct answer to the question whether or not it accepts the updated
Madrid document," the Azeri official said.

The authorities in Baku have said more than once that they accept
the updated Madrid principles with certain exceptions, Polukhov said.

Azerbaijan would not accept this document if it found a lot of
exceptions, he said.