05.10.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. There are 3 factors today that delay the course of the Karabakh conflict settlement within the framework of the direct dialogue between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan: the health condition of Heydar Aliyev, the upcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan and the presidential elections in the United States. Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian stated this in the interview to MEDIAMAX.
The Foreign Minister found it difficult to answer the question on how long the direct negotiations between presidents Kocharian and Aliyev may last. No one could presume that in October 1999 a terrorist act would be realized in the Armenian Parliament, thus actually stopping the process of negotiations, said Oskanian. The problems with the health of president Aliyev, which caused some difficulties, was also unpredictable, the minister said.
In any way, the direct dialogue will be continued as Robert Kocharian and Heyday Aliyev “haven’t yet exhausted all their resources”, noted Oskanian. The foreign minister noted at the same time that as soon as Armenia realizes that this process leads to a deadlock, she will turn to the OSCE Minsk Group with a suggestion to activate its mediatory efforts.
“It is early yet to speak of the temporary frameworks of the Karabakh conflict settlement, but we hope that next year progress in this direction will be observed”, said Minister Oskanian. -0-
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