InternationalUnited States, Russia, and France insist on peaceful solution in Karabakh
Propose measures to strengthen cease-fire
Published: Thursday December 04, 2008
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reads the statement of the three countries that co-chair the OSCE Minsk Group mediating the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, while Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Armenia's Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried look on. Tigran Balayan
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Helsinki, Finland - Top diplomats from the United States, Russia, and France met today with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Helsinki and, at the conclusion of their meeting, made a joint declaration calling on the parties "to recommit to a peaceful resolution" of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
In their statement, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried welcomed the declaration signed November 2 near Moscow by the presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia, in which they committed to "a political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."
Speaking to Italian television last week, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev claimed that the declaration did not preclude the use of force by Azerbaijan. Today's joint declaration pointedly used the phrase "peaceful settlement" in summarizing the November 2 declaration. It then focused on specific steps to build confidence and reduce cease-fire violations.
In today's declaration, the ministers "reiterate" their "firm view that there is no military solution to the conflict and call on the parties to recommit to a peaceful resolution."
The United States, Russia, and France co-chair the OSCE Minsk Group, which mediates in the negotiations over the final resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is holding a meeting of its Ministerial Council in Helsinki.
A similar meeting had taken place at the OSCE Ministerial meeting in Madrid in November 2007, where the top diplomats of the co-chair countries put forth proposals now known as the Madrid Principles to the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers.
Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian also met with his Turkish counterpart, Ali Babacan today. No announcement was made about the substance of their talks.
No breakthrough had been expected
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza, one of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, told journalists in Helsinki that the meeting of the co-chairs and the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan was routine and no breakthrough had been expected.
Asked by the Armenian Reporter about Mr. Aliyev's statement that the Moscow declaration does not preclude a military solution to the Karabakh conflict, Mr. Bryza said, speaking in Russian, "In the name of the OSCE Minsk Group I say that the conflict does not have a military solution. Aliyev does not want war. That was one interview, but of course Aliyev does not want war."
Mr. Aliyev has repeatedly threatened the use of force against Karabakh and his government has been investing heavily in offensive weaponry.
Mr. Bryza added that he hoped Karabakh would one day formally participate in the negotiations, "but it is even now part of the negotiations since we visit Xankendi/Stepanakert and we listen to the members of parliament and local political operatives."
An Azerbaijani journalist asked whether the visits and meetings indicated that the United States recognized Karabakh. "No, no, but in Karabakh there is an organization that is called parliament. We meet those people. It is necessary to hear their views. I do not say we formally recognize Karabakh's parliament."
Mr. Bryza, who has recently been playing up the preference of the international community for maintaining the territorial integrity of states, and has been playing down the right of peoples to self-determination, said, "Azerbaijan has its view, and we say that the Karabakh peace agreement must begin with territorial integrity, because that principle operates in the whole world. But there can be no agreement if it does not include points about a certain level of self-determination for Nagorno-Karabakh and the principle of the nonuse of force." [He later clarified his position. See story.]
Parties to a conflict
The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finland's Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, said yesterday that the Ministerial Council would focus on two big themes: the Caucasus - Georgia in particular - and European security. He added that he expected a declaration on Nagorno-Karabakh. (The draft text of the declaration appears here.)
Mr. Stubb, in a recent statement, spoke of an "urgent need . . . to tackle tensions . . . between Armenia and Azerbaijan." The statement was notable for its failure to mention Nagorno-Karabakh as a party to the tension over its future. At the OSCE's Budapest summit in 1994, the organization recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as a full party to the conflict.
Asked by the Armenian Reporter today about the role of Karabakh in the peace process, Mr. Stubb said, "Negotiations should be conducted by France, the USA, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. That is the framework in which we discuss, and I am happy that the process goes on and I think this is the best format, and I support Minsk Group process fully."
