Azeri defence minister says Armenian fear behind cease-fire breaches

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
9 May 05

[Presenter in studio] Defence Minister Safar Abiyev has said that
frequent cease-fire violations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani front line
can be explained by the fact that Armenia is afraid of Azerbaijan.
Against this background, the process of exchange of prisoners is
continuing. This time, the Azerbaijani side is going to release
several Armenian POWs.

[Correspondent over archive footage] Several Armenian POWs will be
handed over to Armenia in the coming days. Having said this, Defence
Minister Safar Abiyev added that the step would be taken in return for
Armenia’s release of three Azerbaijani soldiers. The condition of the
released Azerbaijani soldiers is normal, Abiyev said and added that
they would continue with their military service sometime soon.

The minister sees the frequent violations of the cease-fire on the
front line as nothing out of the ordinary. He noted that for a country
at war cease-fire violations are quite normal and added that he was in
permanent contact with commanders of all units stationed on the front
line.

[Abiyev shown talking to camera] Cease-fire violations have been
registered at all times. I acknowledge that they have become more
frequent of late. And not only in the Agdam direction but also in
Fuzuli and on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

[Correspondent] However, the defence minister called on the population
not to worry. Abiyev said the Azerbaijani national army was ready to
fend off the aggressor’s attacks and duly respond to any cease-fire
violations. We keep track of every single bullet fired by the
Armenians and each time they get an appropriate response. Abiyev added
that the Armenians are worried about the strength of our army.

[Abiyev] Our army is fully ready to give an appropriate response to
the Armenians. This has been repeatedly stated by the
commander-in-chief. I have said this a number of times too.

[Correspondent] The defence minister stated that Armenia will not
succeed in taking over even an inch of Azerbaijani land. He stressed
that Baku is doing its best to restore peace in the region through
negotiations, but if the opposite side does not give up its policy of
aggression against Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan will have to speak to
Armenia in a different language.

Mahsati Sarif, Arif Mammadov, “Son Xabar”.