Key West Talks
For the Resolution of the Karabakh Conflict

Opening Speech - Robert Kocharian

Truman Little White House
Key West, Florida
End of day - April 3, 2001


Date Released:
April 4, 2001
Source: U.S. Department of State

[Blair: Context: U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell opened the remarks, introduced President Heydar Aliyev, who gave a comprehensive statement of the Azerbaijani perspective of the conflict. Then Powell introduced President Kocharian who gave a very brief statement.]

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you, Mr. President. And now I call on the President of Armenia, President Kocharian.

PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN: Distinguished Secretary of State, distinguished co-chairs, distinguished ladies and gentlemen. Let me at the very outset express my gratitude to the co-chairs of the Minsk Group who have made possible for us as intermediaries and mediators in this process to have this get-together and to once again discuss the means of ways to resolve this protracted conflict. And certainly I am very thankful to the US, who is kind enough to become hosts, giving this site to have this round of talks here.

I am sure most of you in this room, save perhaps some correspondents here, are well aware of both of the history of this conflict, its current status. They know it in depth and in detail; there is no need for me once again to go back in it or to come up with any assessment at this time.

I have not made these many miles of a trip to Florida to try this propaganda campaign here or to be a tutor to co-chairs. No, I have come here to work constructively to seek settlement.

And that is the end of my statement. Thank you very much.

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much for that short statement, and I think we can thank the press at this point and ask to be excused for the rest of our meeting.

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