November 23, 2006 - 16:40 AMT
Nezavisimaya Gazeta: OSCE MG Puts Strong Pressure on Armenian and Azeri Presidents
"Many analysts believe that if mediators (the OSCE MG) manage to make Armenian and Azeri Presidents sit down at the bargaining table, it will signal that a certain common mode of conflict settlement was already found by two FMs," the Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. "A ready and specific document is on the bargaining table now, the newspaper writes. According to a source in diplomatic circles, the basic items of the framework agreement provide for the following steps: Armenia withdraws troops from Azeri territories under its control, refugees return to the places of their permanent residence, diplomatic and economic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan normalize, peacekeeping forces are stations in the conflict region, international economic assistance is provided to Nagorno Karabakh and a referendum is held over the NK status," says the article. "The Armenian party is expected to withdraw troops from 7 occupied regions of Azerbaijan. In exchange Baku will provide a 40-km corridor, joining NK with Armenia that will be controlled by the peacekeeping forces. The Presidents, upon whom the OSCE MG co-chairs put strong pressure, will answer whether this option suits Yerevan and Baku," writes the NG.