James Warlick: We see positive effect after meeting of two presidents in Vienna

( OSCE MG American Co-Chair Interview with  Voice of America and Turan news agency Baku, 16 December)

Question:  What is the result of your visit to Baku?  With whom did you meet during your visit, what were the topics that you discussed, and when and where is the next presidential meeting scheduled or expected?

Ambassador Warlick:  First of all I’m very happy to be back in Baku and thank you for the interview.

On this visit I’m here with my other co-chairs -- France and Russia.  We had the opportunity to meet with President Aliyev yesterday and to continue that conversation with the foreign minister.  This is a part of our regular visits to the region and I’ll be leaving today with my co-chairs to have a similar conversation with President Sargsyan.

As you know, the presidents themselves met in Vienna on November 19th and we’re continuing the discussion begun by the presidents themselves, and we expect the presidents to meet again- we hope early in the new year.

Question:  Could you please tell us approximately where the presidential meeting will take place?

Ambassador Warlick:  We don’t have a date yet or a place, but the foreign ministers have been talking to each other and we hope to work that out.

Question:  I would like to know whether any positive moments or a constructive atmosphere were observed after the last presidential meeting.

Ambassador Warlick:  The presidents met on November 19th in Vienna, and they resumed dialogue.  A dialogue that is important for bringing a lasting peace to Nagorno-Karabakh.  We see some positive effects already from that conversation.  The number of incidents along the line of contact has decreased.  The number of deaths has decreased.  And the level of rhetoric between the two governments has been toned down.  That’s very helpful in terms of the process, in terms of building confidence in each other, and of course anything that can reduce the number of casualties and injuries along the line of contact is important.

It’s important for the two presidents to continue to talk to each other and to talk about some of the most difficult issues in resolving the longstanding problem of Nagorno-Karabakh.  It’s that dialogue that can lead to a lasting peace.

Question:  There were long talks and negotiations about the Madrid Principles. I would like to know whether any additional suggestions were added to the Madrid Principles or any positive improvements have been observed in that regard in the overall negotiations.

Ambassador Warlick:  Of course all parties welcome new and fresh ideas, but it’s really up to the parties to determine how they want to deal with this issue.  We as members of the Minsk Group are here to help facilitate that process, whether they want to work through existing frameworks or whether they want to move in some other direction.  

Question:  We know that the position of the Azerbaijani side is identical, is the same, which includes the withdrawal of the troops from the occupied territories, the restoration of all communications, the demining of the territories, the return of the IDPs to their lands, and the re-commencement of negotiations to identify the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.  I would like to know what Armenia’s position is in this regard- is it unchanged?

Ambassador Warlick:  These are all very important issues and those are the issues for discussion among the parties.  For a lasting and durable peace, those are exactly the questions that need to be resolved.  And both countries -- Azerbaijan and Armenia -- are going to act in a way that is best for their people.  We want to facilitate a settlement that is best for all parties so that all parties will see that it is in their interest.

A lasting peace in Nagorno-Karabakh can bring a new era of prosperity to the region, and it is important not to delay but to find a way forward that is satisfactory to all parties.

The cost of war is high for both sides.  Not just in terms of human life, but also in terms of financial resources.  The parties are investing a lot in this period of neither peace nor war.  Those are resources that could be brought to the benefit of the wider population, and we hope with a lasting and durable peace that will be exactly the case.

Question:  A new question has just come to mind.  It seems to me that the Minsk Group Co-Chairs are activated when the war rhetoric is intensified, is increasing.  But also it seems like the situation of neither war nor peace is working for all three parties.  We do not see the activation of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs with regard to the final resolution or settlement of the conflict.  How can you elaborate on that?

Ambassador Warlick:  No one is satisfied with the status quo.  Everyone wants to find a way to a lasting peace.  In my conversations in both Yerevan and Baku, I believe that the presidents want to find a way into real peace negotiations that can bring about this lasting settlement.  That’s why the Minsk Group is here, to help facilitate that.  And the United States as well is committed to the process of peace.  If there is anything that the parties would like us to do, we stand ready to help.

Question:  I would like to know your opinion about how you see the role of the United States as a mediator in this process.  We know that with the Russian President’s initiative there were more than ten presidential meetings with no result.  Also we know that at one time there were one-on-one presidential meetings on the initiative of Madeleine Albright and that the other Minsk Group Co-Chairs were requesting information about the results of these meetings.  So how do you see the different role or initiative of the United States in this process?

Ambassador Warlick:  Our priority is to work through the Minsk Group.  That is in fact the format that is preferred both in Baku and in Yerevan.  But if there is a unique role for the United States where we can help to bring about a settlement, we’re ready to do that and we care deeply about our friends in Azerbaijan and in Armenia, and we would like to find a way to a settlement.

I’m here with the Minsk Group Co-Chairs and we’ve had very productive discussions.  I expect we’ll continue to in the future.  But the United States stands ready to play whatever role is requested by the parties.

Question:  What role do you think Turkey can play in the solution of the conflict in terms of the opening of the border and the restoration of communication between these two countries?

Ambassador Warlick:  Turkey is a neighbor of both Azerbaijan and Armenia and is part of the region.  It’s a very large country with a growing population and growing economy.

If Armenia and Azerbaijan can find a way to a lasting settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh, this would create an opportunity for real prosperity in the region.

It’s not up to me to say what the role of Turkey should be, but Turkey will play an important part in the region for some time to come.

Question:  The Azerbaijan Minister of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly stated that we are ready to sign an agreement on previously agreed-upon issues, after which we can move to the conclusion of the final peace deal.  But for some reason the Armenian side is not going for that, is not agreeing with that.  What do you think are the arguments or the reasons for Armenia to not accept that?

Ambassador Warlick:  Both sides are discussing their approach to the way forward.  In fact both sides have had productive discussions and on many issues are very close.  So there is this question about how do we move forward, and I think both sides want to find a way into real peace negotiations.

Question:  Also, well-known political analysts have stated that without a change in Russia’s position, the resolution of the issue does not seem possible.  I would like to get your opinion on this issue.

Also there are rumors that the Armenian forces will be withdrawn from two or five regions.  And on this issue as well, what can you say?

Ambassador Warlick:  I have very good relations with my Russian co-chair who is very experienced with the region and has worked on this issue for a number of years.  And more generally speaking, the United States and Russia see eye to eye.  We want to bring about a lasting peace in Nagorno-Karabakh.  The U.S. and Russia, and I would add to that France and the European Union, want to work together as partners to help facilitate peace.

How that peace comes about is not for the Minsk Group or any outside country to determine.  It’s up to the parties involved to find a way forward, and there are different formulas.  We’ll support what the parties can agree to when you want to facilitate discussions that can lead to that kind of peace. -03/16В-