Carey Covano: Russia sent his peacekeepers because of Shushi

Unlike all other elements of the cease-fire agreement in Karabakh dated November 10, 2020, the placement of Russian peacekeepers in the region was not part of the previously discussed issues in the negotiations, which were held through the mediation of the Minsk Group.

According to Haqqin.az, the freedom told Carey Kavano in an interview with the Armenian service, which in 1999-2001 was the co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group from the United States.

Cavano participated in the Key Wastal negotiations, on which Azerbaijan and Armenia were closest to a peace agreement. And also during the terrorist attack in the Parliament building in Yerevan in October 1999, he, together with the Assistant of US Secretary of State Journal Talbott, visited the region to discuss the peaceful plan in Karabakh.

According to Cavano, one of the factors that the public confidence undermined the other trust, was the shooting of the Armenian Parliament on October 27, 1999. As Kavano noticed, “a few key persons who would play an important role in the future implementation of the decision on Karabakh were killed.”

“That day I was in Armenia with a delegation of American co-chair. In the morning we met the presidential palace with the president, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. From there we went to the airport and flew to Ankara, and when we arrived in Ankara, We learned that the shooting of the Armenian Parliament was taken, that the Prime Minister and Speaker of the Parliament were killed, “said the former co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group.

According to Kavano, at that time serious discussions were among the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Cavano did not go into details about the then discussions, noting that now is not the best moment for this, given that the parties can still return to possible compromises at the negotiating table.

“in the Minsk group there was a discussion that the best solution would be if peacekeepers or observers would not represent neither the neighboring countries nor the countries co-chairs. I think Russia has fully agree with this, because it was the most politically profitable approach. For this issue. Why did Russia send his peacekeepers? I think it was associated with the degree of danger of the situation, with the speed with which the Armenian side lost control of the territory, and the rapid development of events around Shushi, “said Kavano.