Azeri president says war against “weak” Armenia may start at any time

ANS TV, Baku
21 Mar 05

[Presenter] The commander-in-chief today commented on frequent and
intensive firing by the Armenian armed forces on the positions of the
Azerbaijani armed forces as well as residential and sowing areas over
the past two weeks. [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev reiterated
that Azerbaijan has capability to start war at any time.

[Correspondent, over video of Ilham Aliyev speaking to journalists]
Aliyev offered his condolences to the families of martyrs who
sacrificed their lives for the integrity of our territories and called
on them to be patient.

[Ilham Aliyev] Their children became martyrs for their motherland. Of
course, it is a big tragedy. It is a huge distress and tragedy for
every family to lose their children. But this is war and everything
may happen at war. I wish them comfort. Let them be patient. Their
children became martyrs for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
This could be a comfort for them.

I want peace and do not want war. But at the same time we cannot
leave our lands under occupation. We must be ready for everything.

[Correspondent] The commander-in-chief said that Azerbaijan has
capability to start war at any time because the parties have not
signed a peace deal so far.

[Aliyev] There is cease-fire which is a sensitive issue. It is being
breached and you know that this is not in our interests because all
our successes do not necessitate us to violate the truce. As for any
change, like in any region, it depends on several factors. First of
all, as I said, if the international community takes action against
them, their position will inevitably change. If it does not, we will
have to make influence. There is no other alternative here. We need
to get stronger to make influence.

[Correspondent] Aliyev said that economy and the army should be
strengthened first. Only after that, Azerbaijan can dictate its
interests to Armenia.

[Aliyev] We want this [conflict] to be resolved peacefully. We want
this to happen under the influence of the international community
and as a result of the correct approach of the Armenian leadership
to this issue. If this does not happen, a new situation will occur
and we will see.

[Correspondent] The president also spoke about the report of the OSCE
fact-finding mission on the settlement of Armenians in the occupied
lands of Azerbaijan. He said that the mission has already confirmed
that there are over 10,000 Armenians on those territories, something
that fully supports Azerbaijan’s case. Azerbaijan will demand that
the Armenians should be unconditionally evicted from those territories.

[Aliyev] The Armenian side is weak. That is to say, their position is
weak. This has objective reasons. It is because they are unjust. They
have occupied the territories of another country, but want and
sometimes have managed to mislead and distract the international
community for many years. It does not work any longer. Our
comprehensive diplomatic efforts, and I would say comprehensive
diplomatic attacks have a ground. These are not empty statements.
Neither are they populist words. We are taking all our steps on the
basis of reasonable policy.

[Correspondent] Armenia has recently been helpless before the
achievements of Azerbaijani diplomacy, the president said. They will
be even in a more difficult situation unless they realize the truth,
end of quote.

Ayaz Mirzayev, Qanira Pasayeva, Emil Babaxanov for ANS.