Basbug: Turkey Wishes Upper Karabagh Issue Be Resolved

Turkish Press
Published: 5/19/2005

BAKU (AA) – Deputy Chief of Staff of Turkish army Gen. Ilker Basbug
said that the occupation of Azeri territory is unacceptable by
Turkey. “Turkey wishes the Upper Karabagh problem be resolved as soon
as possible. The Turkish Republic will continue to deploy efforts to
end the occupation,” he said.

General Basbug was received by the Azeri Parliament Speaker Murtuz
Aleskerov.

General Basbug expressed that, since Azerbaijan gained its
independence, relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan have shown
a rapid and remarkable growth. “The situation Azerbaijan is in,
especially the Armenian occupation of Upper Karabagh and its
surrounding, is totally unacceptable for Turkey,” stressed General
Basbug.

Basbug also commented on Turkey-Armenia relations. “There are two
problems with Armenia. The first one has to do with the Armenian
occupation of Upper Karabagh. The second one is about baseless Armenian
allegations of a genocide,” noted Basbug. “I am confident that the
Armenian society thinks differently than the government itself,”
said Basbug.

Basbug added that military ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan are
excellent.

Basbug remarked that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline
is important for the future of the region. “We have to provide the
necessary protection that this oil pipeline deserves as there could
be attacks on this pipeline by the enemies of the three countries,”
told Basbug.

Azeri Parliament speaker Aleskerov indicated that Turkey will not
open its border pass with Armenia until Armenia fully withdraws from
occupied Azeri territory. “Turkey has always been and continues to
be on our side,” indicated Aleskerov.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has welcomed General
Basbug at his office. “The relations among our countries are at an
all time high. General Basbug’s visit has contributed to our already
good ties in political, economic and military areas,” stressed Aliyev.