YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–The US intends in the immediate future to intensify its efforts to achieve a political settlement of the Karabakh conflict–AFP reported on Monday–citing an unnamed US State Department source. He said that "very serious discussions" will be held following the presidential elections in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on September 1.
An article in the Armenian state newspaper "Hayastani Hanrapetutyun" on August 6 argued that the Armenian society must accept that "mutual concessions on key issues" are necessary to resolve the conflict. The article sparked widespread speculation that the Armenian leadership is preparing to make substantive concessions. Writing in "Hayots Ashkhar" on August 7–Samvel Babayan–the commander-in-chief of the Karabakh Armenian armed forces–rejected such speculation. He asserted that "even if such a document is signed–it won’t be implemented."
