Thomas de Waal: Karabakh talks needs breakthrough
A popular breakthrough is essential for the Karabakh conflict settlement, said Thomas de Waal, Caucasus editor at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting.
"Baku says Yerevan should make concessions while Yerevan insists on the opposite. However, mutual concessions are essential for a real resolution of the conflict. People should be granted the possibility to return to their homes and feel safe. International guarantees are needed for this. I think that the international community can send peacekeepers," he said. "The March 4 incident was dangerous. Ceasefire is fragile. Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk and five field assistants are alone."
"Unfortunately, the publics in both states cherish the same ideas as 20 years ago. There are plenty of complicated questions, such as deployment of peacekeepers, fixation of borders, return of refugees, etc. In my opinion, leaders of the conflicting sides are not ready to take a decision. Armenia, for example, is negotiating return of 7 seized territories - Aghdam, Fizuli, Jebrail and others. But why isn't the subject of talks made public? It means that the societies are unaware of what is going on. I know that the Azerbaijani authorities are ready to grant the highest autonomy to Karabakh. The matter can even concern an interim international status. Many in Azerbaijan call Karabakh's capital Hankendi, meanwhile the city is named Stepanakert in the international documents," Mr de Waal said, Zerkalo (Mirror) Baku-based newspaper reports.
"Baku says Yerevan should make concessions while Yerevan insists on the opposite. However, mutual concessions are essential for a real resolution of the conflict. People should be granted the possibility to return to their homes and feel safe. International guarantees are needed for this. I think that the international community can send peacekeepers," he said. "The March 4 incident was dangerous. Ceasefire is fragile. Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk and five field assistants are alone."
"Unfortunately, the publics in both states cherish the same ideas as 20 years ago. There are plenty of complicated questions, such as deployment of peacekeepers, fixation of borders, return of refugees, etc. In my opinion, leaders of the conflicting sides are not ready to take a decision. Armenia, for example, is negotiating return of 7 seized territories - Aghdam, Fizuli, Jebrail and others. But why isn't the subject of talks made public? It means that the societies are unaware of what is going on. I know that the Azerbaijani authorities are ready to grant the highest autonomy to Karabakh. The matter can even concern an interim international status. Many in Azerbaijan call Karabakh's capital Hankendi, meanwhile the city is named Stepanakert in the international documents," Mr de Waal said, Zerkalo (Mirror) Baku-based newspaper reports.
