Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 10 2004

AZERBAIJAN PEOPLE CATEGORICALLY AGAINST PARTICIPATION OF THE ARMENIAN
OFFICERS IN EXERCISES FORTHCOMING IN BAKU
[September 10, 2004, 22:52:39]

This idea has been stated by Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan,
colonel-general Safar Abiyev at the meeting with the ambassador of
the Russian Federation in our country Nikolay Ryabov that took place
on September 10 in connection with end of his diplomatic mission.

Especially having emphasized that during his activity Nikolay Ryabov
actively helped further improvement of the Azerbaijan-Russian
relations, having noted his merits that today connections between our
countries on all directions, including in the field of military
cooperation, are at a desirable level, colonel-general Safar Abiyev
has expressed to the ambassador condolence in connection with
numerous human loss as a result of the act of terrorism accomplished
in the city of Beslan of Northern Ossetia.

Having touched the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the Minister has
noted that Azerbaijan also is the state undergone to terror.
Aggressive Armenia has made 32 acts of terrorism as a result of which
was lost more than 2 thousand innocent citizens of Azerbaijan in our
territory. Khojali tragedy is the most monstrous act of terrorism
accomplished in the territory of Azerbaijan.

Having expressed gratitude for reception, ambassador Nikolay Ryabov
has stated that the national leader of Azerbaijan people Heydar
Aliyev is the architect of independent Azerbaijan, and has noted:
”Due to efforts of this ingenious person, the Russian – Azerbaijan
relations have reached a high level. The President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev successfully continues this policy. I believe, that the
Russian – Azerbaijan relations in all areas achieve the highest
level.

Having stated that Azerbaijan people expects much from the meeting of
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia during summit of the heads of CIS
states forthcoming in Astana, and having emphasized, that this
meeting renders positive influence on settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, colonel-general Safar Abiyev has told:
”Within the next few days, the field exercises will be carried out
in Baku within the framework of the NATO ”Partnership for Peace”
program ”Cooperative Best Effort-04 ”. The aspiration of Armenia,
grasping the Azerbaijan territories, supporting terror and separatism
at the level of state policy to take part in these exercises
forthcoming in Baku surprises us. Armenia does not recognize
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Besides, does not refuse
territorial claims to Azerbaijan. Between Azerbaijan and Armenia
there are no diplomatic ties. In this case, participation of officers
of the Armed Forces of Armenia in exercises forthcoming in Baku is
impossible. The people of Azerbaijan are categorically against
participation of the Armenian officers in these exercises. We
consider that diligence for the sake of participation in the
mentioned exercises, shown by Armenia before summit of the heads of
CIS states forthcoming in Astana and the meeting of Presidents of
Azerbaijan and Armenia during this action, serves the even greater
strain of relations between two states and to failure of
negotiations. The Ministry of Defense states that Armenia covered by
a veil of the international cooperation and occasionally
participating in actions of the NATO should refuse participation in
the exercises forthcoming in Baku.

Ambassador Nikolay Ryabov has told: ”It is your position. I think
that it is necessary to intensify even more process of negotiations
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We wish the further improvement of
the Russian – Azerbaijan military cooperation in the name of national
interests of both states”.

Minister Safar Abiyev has reminded, that Azerbaijan has refused
participation in the in the last year exercises conducted in Armenia,
has expressed to the Russian diplomat gratitude in connection with
end of his mission in Azerbaijan, has wished him successes on new
work.

Military attaché ¯f the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in
Azerbaijan Republic, rear admiral Vladimir Lomakin took part at the
meeting.