Co-Chairs detail their visit
"Some of you laugh at my words. But you needn't do it. Call Mr. Bako Sahakian and he will confirm my words," OSCE Minsk group French Co-Chair Bernard Fassier said in Yerevan during today's press conference.
Journalists burst into laughter after Mr. Fassier said the Co-Chairs were unable to travel to Stepanakert because of the unfavourable weather conditions.
It was the second time the Co-Chairs conditioned their travel to Karabakh with weather conditions.
The Co-Chairs are in Yerevan to arrange preparations for the forthcoming meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow.
The Co-Chairs are convinced that the meeting will bring new changes in the negotiations over the Karabakh conflict settlement.
U.S. Co-Chair Matthew Bryza was delighted with Ilham Aliyev's statement that NKR residents have a right to live in safety. Bryza views President Aliyev's words as a long-awaited and serious achievement "by which Mr. Aliyev prepares his people for a peaceful regulation."
A1+ reminded Mr. Bryza that Ilham Aliyev also noted that Nagorno Karbakh cannot be independent; it will be given sovereignty within Azerbaijan.
"Don't you think that by excluding Karabakh's independence Aliyev intends to wage a war and doesn't prepare his people for a peaceful resolution," asked A1+.
Russian Co-Chair Yuri Merzlyakov answered instead. "Aliyev's statement would sound ridiculous if, as Azerbaijan's President, he announced that he longed for Karabakh's independence. Statements shouldn't be mixed with negotiations."
"Does it mean that during the negotiations Aliyev pursues other goals? Shan't we take his statements seriously?" wondered A1+.
"I cannot understand the meaning of your question. Anyway, I advise you to take Co-Chairs' statements seriously," said Mr. Merzlyakov.
Today Yuri Merzlyakov announced that Karabakh conflict cannot be solved within a day or two.
U.S. Co-Chair Matthew Bryza denied the rumours about his appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan.
"Mrs. Clinton has told me that the Karabakh issue is the most important one at the moment and I am to continue my mission," said Mr. Bryza.
