Clinton warns of wider Caucasus conflict

By Arshad Mohammed

YEREVAN | Mon Jun 4, 2012 5:53pm EDT

(Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced concern on Monday that violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan could lead to a broader regional conflict as three Armenian soldiers died in a border incident.

Clinton began a trip to the South Caucasus region by calling on all sides to renounce violence as the former Soviet republics traded accusations over a clash that killed the Armenian soldiers and wounded troops on both sides of their border.

"I am very concerned by these incidents and have called on all parties, all actors, to refrain from the use or threat of force," Clinton told reporters at a news conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

"There is a danger that it could escalate into a much broader conflict that would be very tragic for everyone concerned," she added.

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