BTC launch draws differing reactions from Armenians

Baku, May 31, AssA-Irada

Armenian officials have issued conflicting statements following the
launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export pipeline on May 25,
which sent them into panic.

“The BTC commissioning rules out the resumption of hostilities in
Upper Garabagh. We can talk of settling the conflict only in peace”,
Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanian said.

Armenian media quoted Oskanian as saying that with the launch of
pipeline, Azerbaijan will face ‘serious restrictions’.

“Azerbaijan will now be unable to start military action on its own. But
if such a decision is made, it will be opposed not only by Armenia
but the entire international community.”

The Armenian minister came out against statements that the BTC
pipeline’s bypassing Armenia’ is a defeat for this country.

“If people that believe this were present in the Armenian government,
they would turn Upper Garabagh into a subject of speculation”, he said.

“To ensure the BTC passes through Armenia, Upper Garabagh had to be
returned. But this is unacceptable”, said Oskanian.

A day after the first oil was pumped into the BTC pipe, Armenian prime
minister Andranik Markarian made a contradictory statement. He openly
expressed concerns over the BTC launch, saying that the project would
‘disrupt the balance of forces’ in the region.

The Armenian official also suggested that Iranian gas be transported
from Armenia to Europe.*