YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Quoting Azeri defense ministry–the Turan news agency Wednesday reported about an incident in the southern region of the Nagorno-Karabakh–where according to the report–Karabakh armed units allegedly shelled a car–which was transporting Andrey Kasprczik–OSCE acting chairman’s envoy.
In this connection Karabakh acting President Leonard Petrossian held a meeting Thursday with Mark Skovgard–a field assistant to the OSCE acting chairman’s envoy. Government spokesperson Leonid Martirossian informed that during the talk the sides noted the importance of maintaining cease-fire in the conflict area. Petrossian reaffirmed the commitment of Nagorno-Karabakh to observe peace.
Commenting on the information by the Turan news agency which quoted Kasprczik as accusing the Karabakh side–Skovgard pointed out that the views expressed in the report could not be taken for the OCSE’s point of view. It is rather the result of the work of agency’s editor-in-chief–said Skovgard.
He also informed that the OSCE was proceeding with its inquiry to clear up all circumstances of the incident. According to him–consultations between envoy Kasprczik and the OSCE’s acting chairman are being held simultaneously.
The OSCE envoy stressed that such publications only hindered the peaceful process to the Karabakh crisis and the establishment of lasting peace in the region.
Spokesperson of Armenia’s defense ministry–Hovhannes Charkchian declared that no one has opened fire in the direction of the OSCE vehicle from Armenian territory. Although the two sides had agreed upon monitoring that particular region–according to Karabakh officials–the task was made difficult after two groups of Azeri infiltrators were discovered. Only one has been caught and deported–while the second group is still being sought.
An investigation–requested by the Azeri side–revealed that fire was not opened by the Armenian side.