14:49, 20 November 2003

President of Nagorny Karabakh estimated statements by Azerbaijan leaders as blackmail

At a press conference on November 18, President of Nagorny Karabakh Arkady Gukasian commented on the statement of the Azerbaijan Foreign Minister, who said Baku would not sit to the bargaining table with Stepanakert and Azerbaijan would be compelled to solve the problem "by other means". Arkady Gukasian declared this to be blackmail. Baku perfectly realizes no one wants a war in the region and Azerbaijan is trying to gamble on it, thrusting its stance on the world community. The head of Nagorny Karabakh urged the Azerbaijan authorities not to increase tension and think about bridges that can be used for the settlement. The president reminded that the Azerbaijan part rejects any contacts with Karabakh, including those of popular diplomacy, to present day, showing its unreadiness for the negotiations.

Author: Naira Ayrumian, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot