Heated discussion evolves over Garabagh peace plan

A heated debate took center-stage in Baku in the past three days, as Russian and Turkish top envoys held face-to-face meetings with President Aliyev to discuss the next round of the Garabagh peace talks in Geneva. The first to come to Baku was Turkish deputy foreign minister, ambassador at large Yigit Alpoglan.

Shortly after arrival on Sunday, he was taken to the President’s Residency and was immediately received by President Aliyev.

He was quoted as saying to the press that he had an important message for the head of state and was here to ask for President Aliyev’s opinion. The diplomat added that his soonest response was eagerly awaited in Turkey.

He declined to spell out the essence of his talk with the President.

Media sources report that the Turkish diplomat has brought proposals of his country regarding a new peace plan to be discussed in Geneva.

President Aliyev said this type of communication in the run-up to summits was quite convenient.

On the next day, a Russian delegation led by the secretary of the Security Council Vladimir Rushaylo arrived in Baku to discuss aspects of regional security in the Caucasus in view of the Garabagh conflict, as well as bilateral relations.

The delegation also included the first deputy foreign minister of Russia Vyacheslav Trubnikov, Russia's Key West negotiator.

Mr. Rushaylo said he had come on Russian President Putin’s assignment.

Various assumptions are being made as to the inter-connection of the two visits. Observers say Ankara and Moscow are trying the influence the position of Baku in the Geneva talks.

It is believed that in view of the potential stationing of Russia's peace-keeping contingent in the region, Turkey is trying to prevent the possible fall of the region under Russian military control.

Some observers in Baku believe Russia, in turn, is eager to strike a deal with Turkey not to allow any Nato presence in the region.

Political commentators believe that Mr. Rushaylo's visit has to do with Armenia's concerns over recent military training of the Azeri army.

New peace plan

Receiving Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov on Tuesday, President Aliyev said the Key West talks was a landmark event in the history of the OSCE Minsk Group. H. Aliyev underscored that the new format of the talks had added quality to the process of negotiations. He then urged Russia to take a more active part in the settlement of the conflict.

Mr. Trubnikov told President Aliyev that a new peace plan would be forwarded to the two presidents in Geneva. He assured the Azeri leader that Russia would step up work to resolve the deadlocked negotiations.

According to information that has leaked to press, Garabagh will only be a nominal part of Azerbaijan, enjoy broad autonomy with its own Constitution, government and armed forces.