U.S.: Karabakh Conflict Parties Close to Settlement as NeverMay 17, 2006 - 15:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza stated that "the parties to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict are as close to the settlement as never". In his words, the U.S. considers the next several months to be a real "window of possibilities". Matthew Bryza also remarked that the Armenian and Azerbaijani governments should demonstrate political courage to overcome the discrepancies. According to another U.S. State Department representative David E. Appleton, progress can be proved by the fact that Baku requested the U.N. Refugee Agency to develop a program for the return of refugees after the signing of a peaceful agreement, reported RFE/RL. Azerbaijani authorities report that they have already resettled 3,000 people in the Nagorno-Karabakh town of Stepanakert. On June 10, Azerbaijani President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will leave for Turkey on a working visit. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. Partner news |