Azeri leader upbeat about European body’s Karabakh debate – TV

ANS TV, Baku
13 Oct 04

[Presenter in studio] Baku is confident that the discussions on
the Nagornyy Karabakh problem at the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe’s [PACE] winter session will be favourable to
Azerbaijan. This conclusion is based on the report prepared by the
European body’s former rapporteur, Terry Davis. Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev believes that the political stance to be displayed by the
Council of Europe can play a crucial role in resolving the conflict.

[Correspondent over archive footage of PACE sessions] After the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe discusses the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict at its January session, Armenia may face sanctions,
says Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

[Ilham Aliyev shown talking to journalists] The report to be discussed
will show once again that Armenia has occupied Azerbaijani lands,
and certain sanctions may be imposed on it.

[Correspondent] It transpired from the president’s statement that
Baku’s confidence was based on the report drafted by the former
rapporteur, Terry Davis. President Ilham Aliyev said the document
was objective.

[Aliyev] I can say that the report reflects the principles we
have always advocated. Our most important task was that Council of
Europe documents should reflect such notions as aggression against
Azerbaijan and violation of our territorial integrity. There is
already a document, which will also mean a legal framework.

[Correspondent] However, Baku understands only too well that the
Council of Europe’s assessment alone is hardly sufficient for the
conflict to be solved.

[Aliyev] What we wanted and demanded from the Council of Europe
from the very beginning was that a political assessment of this
conflict be given. The Council of Europe has no other mechanisms at
its disposal and we shouldn’t expect any miracles from it. But the
political assessment will lay the foundation for further negotiations.

[Correspondent] According to the head of state, for the conflict to
be resolved fairly, an end must be put to the international policy
of double standards. For example, while there are four UN Security
Council resolutions pertaining to the conflict, none of them has yet
been enforced.

[Aliyev] Unfortunately, there is no mechanism. Four resolutions have
been adopted but none of them is being executed. No sanctions or any
other measures have been taken against Armenia. This, of course, is
unacceptable. International legal mechanisms must be applied. Then
the conflict can be solved.

[Correspondent] The Azerbaijani president is also pleased with the
stance of the Romanian authorities on the Nagornyy Karabakh issue.

[Aliyev] The Romanian leadership has unequivocally stated that it
supports a settlement based on respect for Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity.

[Correspondent] According to Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan must step up
its pressure on the international community to resolve the conflict.

[Aliyev] Our mission is to strengthen our political will and
international clout, to expose Armenia as an aggressor-state and to
continue our political activities to this end.

[Correspondent] The president said this should be done not only by
the head of state and members of parliament but also by journalists
and ordinary citizens. Only then can we achieve what we want.

Ali Ahmadov, Ramil Huseynov, ANS.