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Russian mediation effective in case of its impartiality and honesty: LINKS excutive director

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Materials 9 February 2009 17:12 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 9 / Trend , E.Rustamov/

A role of Russia as a mediator in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be effective in the case of its impartiality and honesty, British Non-Government Organization LINKS executive director believes.

"Russia is a co-chair of the Minsk Process. It can only be effective in this role if it is perceived as an unbiased and honest broker," Executive Director of LINKS Dennis Sammut told Trend on Feb. 9.

"This also goes for the other two governments who are co-Chair of the Minsk process, the US and France. They need to have the trust of both sides if they are to succeed," Sammut stressed.

Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 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 the peace negotiations.

"I have read reports about Russian arms transfers to Armenia. I have no way of confirming this and the Russians and the Armenians have denied this. Even if the Russian government have not given these armaments they need to reassure the Azerbaijani public on this issue," Sammut said.

Media outlets reported about an armament supply worth $800 million from the Armenia-based 102nd Russian military base to Armenia. Russia's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vasiliy Istratov was invited to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry to clarify the situation. Russian Defense and Foreign Ministries denied media reports that the country supplied ammunition to Yerevan. Baku, however, remained dissatisfied with Moscow's reply. During a telephone conversation both countries' Foreign Ministers agreed to continue consultations on the issue.

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