«The situation over settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is not as hopeless, as it seemed right after Rambouillet,» US Assistant State Secretary Daniel Fried said. In his words, Armenian and Azeri Presidents Robert Kocharian and Ilham Aliyev did not manage to agree over settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, thus many people thought, «There will be war there and horrible things will happen.» The US Assistant State Secretary reminded that he visited Baku and Yerevan along with OSCE MG co-chair Steven Mann soon after Rambouillet.
«We had series of useful and effective talks with Azeri and Armenian authorities, we lately met with Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian and Azeri Deputy FM Araz Azimov. Both governments provided us with certain material for working. Thus, the situation is not hopeless,» Fried added. «It is important for both parties to realize they cannot fully attain their goals. None of the countries can get the maximum. Simultaneously, it cannot happen than any of the countries gets nothing,» Fried remarked.
Besides, he remarked that in case of resumption of the war Baku should not hope for profiting from oil and gas export. «Azerbaijan expects much money from oil and gas export, however, it will be the case if there is peace. If there is war, there will be no money. Is it clear? Just look at the map. You know what I am speaking about,» Fried said.
