Int`l mediators condemn truce violation; Baku urges probe
International mediators brokering a settlement to
the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict have condemned the recent
ceasefire violation that took place on the Armenia-Azerbaijan
frontline.
In a statement, the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (MG) and the OSCE chairman`s special envoy, Andrjej Caspzyk, called on both countries to thoroughly explain their actions during this incident, which occurred when OSCE representatives were monitoring the contact line between the two countries` troops.
US mediator Matthew Bryza noted that one day prior to the mission, local commanders had provided a guarantee in writing for the safety of international observers.
The co-chairmen urged both parties to the long-standing dispute to abide by the standing ceasefire, expressing disappointment with the fact that 30 people were killed and 50 others injured in similar incidents in 2008. Most of them died as a result of sniper fire.
According to the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry, Armenian armed forces violated the ceasefire on the contact line with Azerbaijan during a regular OSCE monitoring mission in the Fizuli district on February 26. The Armenian troops first fired twice from a sub-machine gun, followed by continuous shooting. The monitoring was interrupted after the incident.
Eldar Sabiroghlu, the spokesman for the ministry, said the shots had targeted the international monitoring group that was working on the Azerbaijani side of the contact line. However, according to OSCE special envoy Caspzyk, it is difficult to blame either side for the ceasefire breach as the sounds of firing were heard twice.
Ambassador Fuad Ismayilov, head of Azerbaijan`s Permanent Mission to the OSCE, said "the fact that the firing began when Caspzyk was on the Azerbaijani side of the contact line clearly demonstrates that the ceasefire was violated by Armenians."
He said Azerbaijan had repeatedly stated that attention should be paid to which side violated the ceasefire.
Ismayilov demanded that Caspzyk investigate such incidents. He said it should be unambiguously stated that the Azerbaijani side never violated the ceasefire and is not interested in doing so.
Ismayilov emphasized "it is Armenia that has violated the ceasefire with the aim of provoking an adequate reaction from Azerbaijan."
"The fact that ceasefire violations are not investigated creates suitable conditions for the continuation of such incidents and Azerbaijan calls to stop such provocations."
The conflict between the two South Caucasus republics began in the late 1980s due to Armenia`s territorial claims. Armenia has since occupied over 20% of Azerbaijan`s internationally-recognized territory since the early 1990s in defiance of international law. The ceasefire accord was signed in May 1994, but over a decade of efforts by US, Russian and French mediators have accomplished little, and Armenia frequently violates the ceasefire.
In a statement, the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (MG) and the OSCE chairman`s special envoy, Andrjej Caspzyk, called on both countries to thoroughly explain their actions during this incident, which occurred when OSCE representatives were monitoring the contact line between the two countries` troops.
US mediator Matthew Bryza noted that one day prior to the mission, local commanders had provided a guarantee in writing for the safety of international observers.
The co-chairmen urged both parties to the long-standing dispute to abide by the standing ceasefire, expressing disappointment with the fact that 30 people were killed and 50 others injured in similar incidents in 2008. Most of them died as a result of sniper fire.
According to the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry, Armenian armed forces violated the ceasefire on the contact line with Azerbaijan during a regular OSCE monitoring mission in the Fizuli district on February 26. The Armenian troops first fired twice from a sub-machine gun, followed by continuous shooting. The monitoring was interrupted after the incident.
Eldar Sabiroghlu, the spokesman for the ministry, said the shots had targeted the international monitoring group that was working on the Azerbaijani side of the contact line. However, according to OSCE special envoy Caspzyk, it is difficult to blame either side for the ceasefire breach as the sounds of firing were heard twice.
Ambassador Fuad Ismayilov, head of Azerbaijan`s Permanent Mission to the OSCE, said "the fact that the firing began when Caspzyk was on the Azerbaijani side of the contact line clearly demonstrates that the ceasefire was violated by Armenians."
He said Azerbaijan had repeatedly stated that attention should be paid to which side violated the ceasefire.
Ismayilov demanded that Caspzyk investigate such incidents. He said it should be unambiguously stated that the Azerbaijani side never violated the ceasefire and is not interested in doing so.
Ismayilov emphasized "it is Armenia that has violated the ceasefire with the aim of provoking an adequate reaction from Azerbaijan."
"The fact that ceasefire violations are not investigated creates suitable conditions for the continuation of such incidents and Azerbaijan calls to stop such provocations."
The conflict between the two South Caucasus republics began in the late 1980s due to Armenia`s territorial claims. Armenia has since occupied over 20% of Azerbaijan`s internationally-recognized territory since the early 1990s in defiance of international law. The ceasefire accord was signed in May 1994, but over a decade of efforts by US, Russian and French mediators have accomplished little, and Armenia frequently violates the ceasefire.
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