AZG Armenian Daily #121, 01/07/2005

Neighbors

AZERBAIJAN WARNS TURKEY: OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER WILL
INCREASE TENSION IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

On occasion of Turkish prime minister’s visit to, Azerbaijani president
Ilham Aliyev talked to CNN-Turk.

“I have no doubts that the Karabakh issue will come to solution. I
just want it to happen without bloodshed, in a peaceful way”, Aliyev
said. Contrary to his previous public speeches, this time the Azeri
president threatened Armenia not with weapon but with oil and his
country’s economic potential. “Armenia cannot rival us in terms
of economy. Azerbaijan’s budget exceeds that of Armenia fourfold,
and I have commanded the government to achieve tenfold superiority”,
he stated.

“Azerbaijan is ready to grant Karabakh’s Armenian community privileges
and guarantees for their security. I am sure that the conflict will
be settled in this context… The Armenian side understands that it
has no alternative but talks”, he said.

Aliyev also mentioned that processes going on in the world are not
playing into Armenia’s hands. Being part of Euro-Atlantic region,
Azerbaijan is establishing close relations with the European Union
and the USA, meanwhile Armenia has adopted another policy, it has
other allies, Aliyev said.

If Aliyev hints at Russia, then suffice it to say that he has visited
Russian president for 6 times since in office.

As regards to Aliyev playing a pro-European leader, he should
be reminded that the European structures are sending signals to
Azerbaijan to stop rubbing shoulders with Russia. It should be also
reminded that Aliyev successfully wrecked NATO’s Best Cooperative
Effort 2004, receiving Brussels and Washington’s criticism. Besides,
Azerbaijan’s envoy to NATO has been dubbed persona non grata recently
for unbecoming behavior.

Turkish prime minister and Azeri president are supposed to discuss
issues concerning Armenia including Nagorno Karabakh issue and
Armenia-Turkish border-gate opening. The Azeri authorities are fearful
that opening of Armenian-Turkish border “will increase tension in
South Caucasus”.

By Tatoul Hakobian