Minister tells NATO Azerbaijan worried about arms redeployment to Armenia

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
15 Jun 05

[Presenter] Azerbaijan has informed NATO of its concerns over
the redeployment of Russian troops to Armenia. Speaking at the
organization’s summit in Brussels, Azerbaijani Defence Minister
Safar Abiyev said talks were currently under way to remove bases
from Armenia.

[Correspondent over video of NATO headquarters in Brussels] By moving
its bases from Georgia to Armenia, Russia is breaking the balance
between parties to the [Nagornyy Karabakh] conflict. Defence Minister
Safar Abiyev said that this caused serious concerns for Azerbaijan
and noted that he had raised this issue at a NATO summit in Brussels
last week.

[Abiyev shown speaking to camera] We condemn this and have expressed
our categorical protest. Addressing the NATO summit, I openly said
that Azerbaijan is seriously worried about the redeployment of several
pieces of Russian military hardware from its bases in Georgia to
those in Armenia.

[Correspondent] Abiyev said Azerbaijan was in talks over the withdrawal
of these bases from Armenia. The defence minister said it was a little
premature to say what countries were involved in the negotiations
and where the troops might be further redeployed. The results of the
talks would become known after some time, he added.

Safar Abiyev also denied reports suggesting that US military forces
might be involved in safeguarding the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan [BTC]
oil pipeline. He said Azerbaijan did not need foreign bases.

With regard to the frequent cease-fire violations [on the Karabakh
front], the general said the Armenian armed forces were receiving an
appropriate response, but added that the situation on the front-line
was still difficult.

[Abiyev] The situation is difficult. As you may know, we are at war.
Exchanges of fire happen every day. There are casualties on both sides,
as you know. How else could it be given that we are at war?

[Presenter] Despite that, the defence minister urged the population
of front-line districts not to worry. Azerbaijan has a strong army
which is capable of defending its people, the minister said.