Key West Talks: Near-Breakthrough in Direct Negotiations
WarEcho Team news
Presidents Aliyev and Kocharyan meet in Key West, Florida, reportedly coming close to agreement on conflict resolution
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev met for direct talks in Key West, Florida, hosted by the US State Department, reportedly coming closer to agreement than ever before.
High-Level Engagement
The talks featured:
- Direct presidential negotiations
- US Secretary of State hosting
- Informal atmosphere
- Extended discussions
- Serious compromise explored
Reported Framework
Though never confirmed, reportedly discussed:
- Land swap proposals
- Horizontal linkage concepts
- Security arrangements
- Refugee return modalities
- Status determination process
Near-Agreement
Sources suggested:
- 80% of issues resolved
- Presidents showed flexibility
- Creative solutions explored
- Momentum building
Why No Deal
Obstacles:
- Final status disagreements
- Domestic opposition feared
- Military establishments resistant
- Public unprepared
- Details disputed
Kocharyan’s Dilemma
- New to presidency
- Hardliner reputation
- Military backing crucial
- Ter-Petrosyan’s fate remembered
Aliyev’s Calculations
- Veteran leader
- Health declining
- Legacy concerns
- Son’s succession planned
Aftermath
- Talks continued
- But momentum lost
- Positions hardened again
- October parliament shooting
Historical Assessment
Key West represented:
- Closest to agreement
- Personal diplomacy peak
- Missed opportunity
- Never replicated
Lessons
- Leadership crucial
- Timing matters
- Domestic constraints binding
- External mediation limited
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