Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
November 17, 2004, Wednesday

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTER: ARMENIA SETTLES OCCUPIED AREAS IN
AZERBAIJAN

Official Baku has evidence that Armenia has been settling the
occupied areas of Azerbaijan outside Nagorny Karabakh, Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov told Interfax.

In his words, the fact of illegal settlement in these areas is even
noted in a human rights report by the U.S. Department of State.
Mamedyarov named Kelbadzhar, Zangelan and Dzhabrail as the districts
where Armenians are getting settled. In his words, Armenia is
attracting settlers by extending them loans, credits and other
financial aid.

Therefore, Azerbaijan has submitted the issue on the situation on the
occupied areas of Azerbaijan for discussion of the UN General
Assembly. The Geneva Convention bans colonization of the occupied
areas. Baku expects Armenia to realize that the settlement
contradicts the international laws and start resettling those who
have settled there.

At the same time, Mamedyarov said that Baku doesn’t link debating in
the UN to the talks on adjustment of the conflict in the framework of
the Minsk Group and is ready to resume the talks any moment and at
any place. He reminded that the talks were suspended by request of
Armenia, which needed to “comprehend” the situation.

Mamedyarov didn’t rule out that Azerbaijan might appeal to the Hague
court in case the lawyers find this necessary.

Translated by Andrei Ryabochkin