On 18 August 2003 a Monitoring of the front line was held on the border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Monitoring took place in the area between the village of Chinari in Armenia and the village of Aghdam in Azerbaijan.

On the Azerbaijani side the Monitoring was conducted by the Personal Representative of the Chairman in Office of the OSCE, Ambassador A. Kasprzyk, and two of his Field Assistants. On the Armenian side the Monitoring was conducted by the Coordinator of the Office of the Personal Representative, Lieutenant Colonel I. Palatinus, and two Field Assistants. Officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense and Local military commanders of the two sides also took part in the Monitoring. Both sides were in constant radio communication throughout the Monitoring.

During the Monitoring a number of shots were heard. It was not possible to determine whether the firing came from the Armenian or Azerbaijani side or both. The shots were fired at some distance from the Monitoring site and the firing point or points could not be seen and the type of weapon or weapons used could not be identified.

As a result of this firing Ambassador Kasprzyk took the decision to abort the Monitoring. He expresses his disappointment that this unfortunate incident affected the course of the monitoring and placed in danger the OSCE teams and escort personnel.

It is expected that both sides will now conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and Ambassador Kasprzyk considers that it would be useful for military representatives from both sides, at the appropriate level, to consult with each other as part of this investigation.

Despite reports, which have appeared in the press it is stressed that no conclusions have yet been drawn as to who was to be blame for the firing. Ambassador Kasprzyk will submit a detailed report on the Monitoring to the Chairman in Office of the OSCE as soon as possible.