Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents held meetings in Astana, Kazakhstan within the summit of the CIS heads of state last Wednesday. The two mulled over the protracted Garabagh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The first meeting was attended by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Steven Mann (USA) and Henry Jacolin (France), who informed the two leaders of the work recently done in this area.(24-SEP-2004)
The Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov told journalists after the meeting that the two presidents discussed issues agreed upon in Prague earlier. “One of the proposals made concerns liberation of regions adjacent to Upper Garabagh, the return of displaced persons home and ensuring their security.” Baku and Yerevan are now expected to forward their proposals to the co-chairs which will outline the future activity of the OSCE MG. “The ideas discussed by the presidents are within the framework of Azerbaijan´s territorial integrity”, Merzlyakov said.
Three-hour talk
The Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders held three-hour talks in private followed by a trilateral meeting attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Ilham Aliyev gave a positive assessment to the meeting. “I believe that the meetings of the two countries´ foreign ministers held on a permanent basis with participation of the (OSCE) Minsk Group are positive.” Aliyev admitted that the two presidents cannot say anything specific as to what they had discussed behind closed doors. “We always have to confine ourselves to very general phrases, and there will be no exception today, because the process is extremely important.” The Armenian leader Robert Kocharian told journalists that the meeting was ´quite interesting´ and that the presidents have clarified certain positions and standpoints. “Now we have to take time to find out where we stand”, he said. The process of negotiations concerning the resolution of the Upper Garabagh conflict is “underway,” Kocharian said. He admitted, however, that “we can´t boast of anything special.” The Armenian President said that the two sides approach the dialogue “with patience”. “We are discussing complex problems that we have inherited”, he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin assessed the meeting as a step forward and expressed his confidence that the two countries´ presidents will arrive at common decision on the issue. Influential the Russian Federation media reported that the talks, which besides the conflicting sides, involve the Russian President, are more efficient. Azeri pundits say that the so-called “Russian formula” of the conflict settlement does not meet the country´s interests at all, as it envisions withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijan´s territories adjacent to Upper Garabagh in exchange for referendums on the status of both Garabagh alone and throughout the country. Local experts reasonably believe that the outcome of a separate referendum in Upper Garabagh will be far from authentic. Moreover, these results, no matter how turn out, would not have any political consequences or force, as the issue of altering Azerbaijan´s borders is the country´s own prerogative. The status of Upper Garabagh can be determined only through a referendum held all over Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, the presence of the Russian formula is more favorable than the stalling peace talks that have persisted for over a decade. It is for this reason that President Ilham Aliyev said that any course of developments in this direction could promote conflict settlement.
Opinion
Moscow considers the talks held by the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian Pesidents as “useful and constructive”, Russian President´s administration spokesman said following the negotiations. “It is evident that the parties are ready to continue dialogue and search for a compromise”. It is common knowledge that this is an extremely complex and persistent problem, and its resolution will take time, serious efforts and mutual concessions, Russian media reported. “Aliyev and Kocharian aim to seek exclusively political ways of untangling the Garabagh problem”, the same Russian official said and pointed out that the two presidents confirmed “observance of ceasefire obligations”. “Such intentions give a hope that the conflict will be done away with despite existing problems.” the Russian Federation, along with the two other co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, USA and France, is ready to provide all the necessary assistance in this area. “Russia is ready to support a conflict settlement that would suit all sides involved, and, if necessary, act as a guarantor for mutually acceptable agreements. Such an approach was approved by the parties”, the Russian representative added. Moscow believes that the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents should “agree on their own”, but the Russian Federation “can contribute to developing and deepening the dialogue” between Baku and Yerevan. the Russian Federation certainly understands that the results of two referendums would be contrary to each other and no miracle will take place, as residents of Garabagh will vote for its independence, while voters in Azerbaijan – for its return to Baku´s control. Nonetheless, Russian politicians believe that the start of the conflict settlement process will most likely relieve tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Moreover, the Russian Federation will assert its desired role of becoming a key peacemaker in the conflict.
