OSCE mediators 'awaiting decisions of presidents'

The OSCE mediators brokering settlement to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh are awaiting decisions from Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian that would move forward the peace process and are required to reach a 'framework agreement', the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and the new co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group (MG), Matthew Bryza, has said.

"The document has emerged as a result of a lengthy process. Certainly, I cannot impose it on either side, but it brings us closer to reaching a solution to the conflict. Without the presidents' decisions or advice, we cannot move forward. That's why we are currently at this stage," Bryza told the Armenian media.

According to AssA-Irada, he said the decision to disclose the core principles of peace talks had been made prior to his recent statement that caused a great deal of debate.

Bryza told Radio Liberty earlier that the mediators submitted a framework accord to the conflicting sides.

"I did not make the decision to disclose the principles on the negotiating table. It was made prior to my appointment to the post," Bryza said. He emphasized that the statement did not aim to put pressure on Armenia.

"I hope that my friends both in and outside the Armenian government will put an end to speculations. My responsibility is actually to explain the decisions made by the three co-chairs [from the United States, Russia and France] prior to my appointment."

With regard to a possibility of a change of power in Armenia prompted by the disclosure of the gist of talks, Bryza said: "I don't believe an agreement would lead to a political crisis in any country."

/AzerNEWS/