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U.S. urges Nagorno-Karabakh conflict parties to avoid rhetoric that would increase tensions

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Materials 19 November 2010 08:43 (UTC +04:00)
U.S. urges parties of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict "to remain in dialogue and avoid any rhetoric that would add to tensions", Acting Deputy Spokesman of the State Department Mark Toner said at a press briefing on Thursday.
U.S. urges Nagorno-Karabakh conflict parties to avoid rhetoric that would increase tensions

Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 19 /Trend, R.Darakhshan/

U.S. urges parties of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict "to remain in dialogue and avoid any rhetoric that would add to tensions", Acting Deputy Spokesman of the State Department Mark Toner said at a press briefing on Thursday.

Answering a journalist's question on the elevation of the rhetoric in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, in particular, threats of the President of Armenia to resolve the issue "once and for all" through force, Toner also said that the U.S. remain engaged in the Minsk process. 

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. 

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding negotiations to resolve the dispute. 

Armenia has failed to implement U.N. Security Council resolutions stipulating the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions.

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