23:00, 23 November 2004

Azerbaijan's negotiations with Karabakh 'arouse derision'

The Azerbaijan authorities are not inclined to limit themselves to discussing the situation on the occupied territory of Azerbaijan at the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly, and will seek for the adoption of a corresponding resolution by the United Nations, President of Azerbaijan Ilkham Aliyev told journalists. Commenting on the statements by the Armenian side that Azerbaijan would have to carry negotiations with Nagorny Karabakh in case this issue was taken up by the United Nations, Mr Aliyev said such statements could arouse only a "derision". Armenia is a party in the conflict therefore the negotiations are conducted with it. "If Armenia wants the negotiations to be conducted with Nagorny Karabakh, let it withdraw its troops from the occupied territory and stop allotting budget funds to Karabakh. Then Azerbaijan will come to an agreement with Karabakh as one does with separatists all over the world," he said.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot