Karabakh rules out US troops’ deployment at Armenian-controlled Azeri lands
Hayastani Hanrapetutyun, Yerevan
3 Nov 04
Hanrapetutyun headlined “We will defend every inch of land”
Speaking to journalists about his thoughts on current military and
political developments in the region, the defence minister of the
Nagornyy Karabakh Republic [NKR], Seyran Oganyan, has said that given
the existing military and political realities, the negotiations on the
Karabakh issue suggest a simple option: always to have a strong and
combat-capable army. “This is a very significant state process, and
not only the military, but entire society should be interested in
implementing it,” the defence minister stressed.
At the same time, Oganyan expressed his concern about frequent
bellicose statements by Azerbaijani officials. The cease-fire has been
in force since May 1994 and the enemy that cannot agree with its
defeat has been making a stir, he added. Oganyan described statements
of this kind as “a result of short-sightedness or at best poor
knowledge of details of the Karabakh issue”. We have the strong army
and the people at its rear, he said.
“I think it is necessary to note that 99 per cent of the personnel
during the last exercises were conscripts. This testifies to the fact
that people are ready to fulfil their obligations relevantly not only
during military exercises, but in case of any danger too…[ellipsis
as published].”
“We are ready to confront any attempt…[ellipsis as published],” the
minister added.
Asked whether a report by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, which
allegedly said that “talks are being conducted on the deployment of
the US troops at the liberated territories [Azerbaijan’s occupied
territories] bordering Karabakh”, was true, the minister said: “I
realize that they, particularly, mean Cabrayil, Zangilan, Qubadli and
other districts. I should say that Baku’s claim is absolutely
groundless. We are in full control of the aforesaid territories.
Incidentally, quite a strong defence system has been established in
this sector. We have military units with relevant combat readiness
and we will stay there to the bitter end”.
“I would even say that we will defend every inch of the land, where we
have shed blood, to the bitter end,” the NKR defence minister added.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress