US researcher says Karabakh status 'to be put off'

"The issue will be solved only after a lion's share of the occupied Azeri territories is returned," said Svante Cornell with the University's Central Asia and Caucasus Research Institute, AssA-Irada informs.

"No final decision will be made on the Garabagh status at this point. We are talking about putting off the issue until later. First, most of the Azerbaijani land will be returned, refugees returned home and economic ties [between the two countries] established," Cornell told Radio Liberty.

The researcher said that unlike in previous years, Armenia is not supported by France and the United States any longer. "Azerbaijan is currently the most important country for the U.S. considering future prospects, while France has taken a neutral stance on the Garabagh problem. Armenia is currently left aside from the developments ongoing in the region, while Azerbaijan is in their spotlight. This means the former is lagging behind, while the latter is asserting its positions both in terms of development and the NK conflict."

The analyst said that during President Ilham Aliyev's recent talks with US counterpart George Bush in Washington, he called on the United States to play a greater role in the Karabakh settlement. America could therefore heed attention to the problem, said Cornell.
Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said the recent visits by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group mediating the conflict resolution to the region "is not just for the sake of traveling".

"The visit by the French mediator Bernard Fassier to Yerevan and further to Baku and his meeting with the Azeri president show their willingness to hold discussions."

Azimov added that the Azeri and Armenian foreign ministers are expected to meet soon.

/AzerNEWS/