President addresses Key West meeting

President Aliyev addressed the meeting of US Secretary of State Colin Powell with Azeri and Armenian Presidents, as well as co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Tuesday.

In his remarks, Heydar Aliyev gave a detailed account of the conflict history and activity of international organizations toward peace settlement and voiced his resentment that so far this work has not justified the expectations of the Azerbaijan people.

Informing the meeting participants of the direct talks between the Azerbaijan and Armenian Presidents launched in April 1999 on the initiative of the USA, Heydar Aliyev said in late 1999 the two presidents were very close to achieving a compromising solution to the conflict. But shortly afterwards Armenia backed down from the agreements reached.

“During these difficult negotiations the Armenian party has always taken a tough and uncooperative position, which it keeps adhering to at the present time. Since Armenia has occupied 20% of Azeri territories and is abusing of this advantage in the negotiations, we cannot come to an agreement. Armenia desires to take over a part of Azerbaijan by all means, annex it or achieve a status of independence for Upper Garabagh”, H. Aliyev said.

He then indicated that since direct talks started, the OSCE Minsk Group has been very passive. H. Aliyev emphasized that according to international law, the UN charter and other important covenants, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of all independent UN member-states must be respected by all, especially by the OSCE, which has assumed responsibility for resolving the conflict.

“The situation which has emerged today is setting a dangerous precedent in international relations”, the President of Azerbaijan said.

Instead of ensuring the unconditional observance of international legal norms and principles, the world community is procrastinating. As a result, basic international laws and practices that had formed in decades are being shattered because of 100,000 Armenians living in the Upper Garabagh region of Azerbaijan.

“Peace, stability and security achieved as a result of recognition of military aggression cannot be durable”, H. Aliyev stated.

In conclusion, President Aliyev expressed a hope that the OSCE MG co-chairs – Russia, USA and France – would step up their effort toward breaking the deadlocked negotiations and establishing peace, while Armenia will take a constructive position.*