TURAN News Agency,
26, January 2008

The atmosphere of Karabakh conflict settlement talks is tense, but positive, Matthew Bryza, U.S. co-chairman of OSCE Minsk Group, said in his interview to Voice of America (VOA) radio.

"We hope that the sides can find an agreement on basic principles this year. Though a long path has been passed, disagreements still remain, but they could be eliminated at the sides' will," said Bryza. "During the last visit we have familiarized themselves with two countries' presidents' opinion on the document submitted to Foreign Ministers in Madrid. The sides had some concerns and wishes and we will try to take them into consideration. In any case, it is not the matter of absolutely new document or new principles," added Bryza.

Diplomat actually confirmed that basic principles envisage withdrawal of troops from occupied territories, Azerbaijani refugees' home-coming, bringing of peacekeeping troops in the region, maintenance of ties between Armenia and Karabakh and holding of referendum on Karabakh's status. All these ideas exist, but they could be implemented in case of achievement of consent on all points simultaneously, said Bryza. Asked about principle of territorial integrity, Bryza said that recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity is among main U.S. priorities.

"We also know that Armenia would like to clarify Nagorno Karabakh's status. My goal and the goal of the other co-chairmen is to persuade the sides of the need to make compromises. It is the most difficult thing, but we can achieve that," said diplomat.

Speaking about the visit to the Aghdam region, Bryza said that this was the most difficult trip during his career. "I was shocked to see all the destructions and, when I imagined people's sufferings, I was eager to achieve peace," said Bryza.

With regard to U.S.-Azerbaijani talks in Davos, the diplomat said that Condoleezza Rice and Ilham Aliyev discussed Karabakh conflict settlement and security problems, including security on the Caspian Sea and the protection of infrastructure.

Bryza also said that U.S. attaches special significance to the development of democracy in Azerbaijan. There are both positive and negative moments here. The U.S. draws its attention mostly to state of free press, concluded Bryza