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THE INTENTION OF ALL OF US IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS TO ENSURE A LASTING AND ABOVE ALL PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT

The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE Dimitrij Rupel, urged Permanent Members of the UN Security Council in March to use their influence to help end some long-standing conflicts in the OSCE region. Addressing the Security Council in New York, he said there were signs that conflicts in parts of Moldova and Georgia and in Nagorno-Karabakh, sometimes referred to as "frozen", were starting to thaw. The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel answered Arminfo's questions on clarifying the stance.

Q: What kind of tasks do you intend to solve with the help of Permanent Members of Security Council to resolve the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh? Whether it will still adhere to peace settlement or imply provisions that will admit the military intervention?

A: In my speech to the Security Council, I made the point that some of the Permanent Members of the Council have important influence in regional and indeed world affairs. I asked them to use their influence to encourage the parties to achieve a settlement. The intention of all of us in the international community is to ensure a lasting and above all peaceful settlement.

Q: Did the SC Permanent Members agreed to help OSCE Minsk Group while settling the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh?

A: In the discussion that followed my address, I received encouraging support from Security Council members for the efforts of the OSCE to help mediate in relation to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. My intention was not to get into detailed discussions on how various countries can help. But I am satisfied that the issue is being taken seriously both by the United Nations and in the relevant national capitals.

Q: As you have pointed out the "thaw" of the conflicts, will the solution of the all three mentioned conflicts (Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia and Moldova) imply the same decision? If no, what in your opinion is the specific of Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

A: All three situations are quite different from one another. The OSCE's role and approach is different in each case. In the case of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group are working to promote negotiations that will lead to a lasting and stable settlement. Their role is to mediate, not to arbitrate. A solution depends on the political will of all the parties concerned.

As I said, the role of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs is to mediate. It is up to the parties concerned to agree a solution acceptable to them.

Q: Why did it become necessary to address to SC? Do you intend to address to the other international structures on the very point?

A: Addressing the United Nations Security Council is a normal part of the work of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office. My predecessors have also done so. The OSCE cooperates closely with the UN in many countries and we maintain regular contacts at all levels to ensure we work together effectively. I also have regular talks with other international organizations. For example in my first three months as Chairman-in-Office, I had meetings with the European Union, NATO and the Council of Europe as well as with the UN.

Oksana Musaelyan , ARMINFO, 1 April, 2005