The international NGO International Crisis Group (ICG) has released its long-expected report on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. One major conclusion of ‘Nagorno-Karabakh: Viewing the conflict from the ground’ is that all sides to the conflict will have to educate, commit and prepare themselves far better for peace for the seeds of the high-level negotiations to bear fruit. (16-SEP-05)

‘Nagorno-Karabakh: Viewing the Conflict from the Ground,’ explores how the Armenians and Azeris from Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts live and how they view the resolution of the conflict. Despite signs of progress at internationally mediated negotiations (to be discussed in a subsequent report), rising military expenditures and increasing ceasefire violations are ominous signs that time for a peaceful settlement may be running out.

-Nothing has been done. The rights of victims remain neglected
The brutal war over Nagorno-Karabakh killed some 18,500 people and displaced over a million before settling into a shaky cease-fire in 1994. Eleven years on, life in Nagorno-Karabakh has regained some sense of normality with a developing economy and elected institutions. Yet nothing has been done to restore rights of war victims. The creation of mono-ethnic institutions in Nagorno-Karabakh, the destruction of Azeri property, and the privatisation of land and businesses pose significant obstacles to Azeri return and reintegration.

-Time is running out. The divide is becoming unbridgeable
Many displaced persons have become highly dependent on the Azerbaijani state, with few opportunities to participate fully in political life and determine their own future. Refusing to allow dialogue and demonising Armenians through the state-sponsored media and schools, Baku has hardened anti-Armenian feelings among average citizens. The Azerbaijanis and Armenians are as separated as they have ever been. “There is need to counter the hate propaganda and unlock the potential for confidence building and dialogue between average Azeris and Armenians”, says Sabine Freizer, Director of Crisis Group’s Caucasus Project. “This has to happen before the memories of cohabitation fade and the divide becomes unbridgeable”.

-All leaders of all parties must sell the idea of peace to their people
Neither community appears prepared to agree to the kind of settlement being considered by the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in the negotiations sponsored by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
“The vast majority of those affected by the conflict have been kept in the dark about the details of the negotiations”, says Alain Deletroz, International Crisis Group’s Vice President for Europe. “But there is no way for any peace process to succeed unless leaders from all sides start actively selling the idea to their people”.

Contacts: Andrew Stroehlein (Brussels) 32 (0) 2 541 1635
Kimberly Abbott (Washington) 1 202 785 1601
Read the full Crisis Group report on our website: http://www.crisisgroup.org

The International Crisis Group (Crisis Group) is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation covering over 50 crisis-affected countries and territories across four continents, working through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict.