YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)Russia’s Ambassador to Armenia Andrey Urnov described Russia’s position on the Karabakh problem as follows:
"Russia–being a mediator in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict is seeking for a just and lasting settlement. This settlement should be acceptable for all parties to the conflict. This settlement is possible only on the basis of compromise. The compromise in its turn is possible on the basis of the formula "de jure and de facto". It is important to ensure firm–international guarantees of security for Nagorno Karabakh. This means the elimination of its enclave status–assurance of safe on-land communication with Armenia– and creation of conditions enabling the population of Karabakh to solve their problems independently. The rest is secondary."
Speaking at the American University of Armenia–Urnov noted that the statement by the Russian Minister Aman Tuleyev on
alleged illegal arms supplies to Armenia was purely Tuleyev’s viewpoint–which was not substantiated by facts and which would in no way affect the Armenia-Russia relations.
A Noyan Tapan reporter asked Urnov: "The Azeri government has officially responded to Tuleyev’s viewpoint–saying that facts of illegal arms supplies to Armenia have been proven. Don’t you think that such statemen’s–which you denied–undermine Russia’s image as a super power–which has interests in the Caucasus and which co-chairs the Minsk conference?"
"Frankly speaking–I regret to hear Tuleyev’s statement," answered Urnov. "As for the government of Azerbaijan–it would probably be strange if it had not sided with Tuleyev," the ambassador added.