AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Aug 17 2005

PEOPLE OF AZERBAIJAN CAN BELIEVE ON RELIABLE PROTECTION OF STATE
BORDERS
SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN, SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF
THE ARMED FORCES ILHAM ALIYEV AT THE SOLEMN CEREMONY DEDICATED TO
PRESENTATION OF BATTLE FLAGS TO THE MILITARY UNITS OF THE STATE
FRONTIER SERVICE
[August 16, 2005, 19:01:01]

Dear frontier guards,

I warmly welcome all of you. I congratulate you on the forthcoming
professional holiday, the 86th anniversary of establishment of the
Frontier Troops.

In 1919, the People’s Republic of Azerbaijan has founded frontier
service in Azerbaijan. However, as you know, the People’s Republic of
Azerbaijan could not survive longer and collapsed in 1920. And thus,
in Azerbaijan, the process of establishment of the Frontier Troops
halted. In the soviet period, Azerbaijan, of course, had no its
frontier troops. However, I should note that the process of
establishment of the frontier troops started just in those years.
Thanks to farsighted policy of the nationwide leader of Azerbaijani
people Heydar Aliyev, in 1970s, in Azerbaijan, a strong military
cadre potential started to be established. Going back to those years,
analyzing the events and adopted decisions, we once again see that in
those years, Heydar Aliyev’s activity served independent survival of
Azerbaijan in future. Just by his decision, established was a
military school after Jamshid Nakhchivansky, which had no analogue in
the Soviet Union, and there was not such school in other republics.
Today, alumni of this School worthily serve in the Azerbaijan Army,
in the Frontier Troops. Chief of the State Frontier Service Elchin
Guliyev is the alumnus of this School. Hundreds and thousands of
frontier guards, now protecting security of Azerbaijan have received
their preliminary military courses in those days.

I should note that in those years, as a result of the done works, a
strong impulse was given to establishment of the independent army of
Azerbaijan, the frontier troops.

Of course, after Azerbaijan regained its state independence,
establishment of the frontier troops was the question of day. We also
know that in early 1990, after regaining of state independence,
anarchy and chaos ruled in the country, and the arbitrariness impeded
to any development and progress, to move ahead of the establishment
process. This was watched in the frontier troops either. To say, the
country’s borders were not protected at all. The boundaries were
see-through and perhaps, this caused great problem in ensuring safety
of Azerbaijan.

In 1993, after return of Heydar Aliyev to power on demand of the
people, establishment of the frontier troops acquired systematic
character, expedient measures were taken, and today we see that the
frontier troops of Azerbaijan have reached higher level. The
nationwide leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev made huge
contributions in the history of Azerbaijan, including in the army
building process. He has exclusive merits in creation of military
cadre potential in Azerbaijan. He paid constant attention to the
Frontier Troops, too, and this continues day. In 2002, on decision of
Heydar Aliyev, the Frontier Troops were separated from the Ministry
of National Security and established the independent State Frontier
Service.

Strengthening of material-technical base of the frontier service was
in daily focus. Huge technique and infrastructure objects were given
to the Frontier Service disposal. Today I am delightful that this
technique is well preserved and repaired. Several years ago, the
vessels, battle machines, helicopters of the Frontier Troops were
repaired at high level and they play significant role in protection
of state borders.

As a Supreme Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic
of Azerbaijan I attach daily attention to army building, development
of the Frontier Troops. My meetings in the military units show that
the State of Azerbaijan pays great attention to this field. Last
year, being at the Khudat boundary unit, I met with the staff and
once again became assured that the works done in this field are high
level. Boundaries of Azerbaijan are protected at due level, and the
undertaken steps will enable to reliably protect the borders. The
process goes ahead. And it is natural. In the Soviet period,
Azerbaijan had no its state borders. Today, the length of the borders
with Russia and Georgia totals thousand km, approximately. Our
borders with Iran average 800 km. We know that the boundary was
destroyed in early 1990. And our borders with Armenia are over 1200
km. And you also know that these borders have been violated and in a
part of it, our troops were dislocated. We have to do a lot to
protect our borders in future.

Strengthening of material-technical base of the Frontier Troops go
successfully, and I would reiterate that all the appeals, requests
and suggestions of the Chief of the State Frontier Service on
strengthening of this base are considered operatively and in time. In
coning years, we shall allot great amount to this.

Azerbaijan’s economic potential rises, and our financial
opportunities get better. Azerbaijan’s budget rises year by year.
Current year, our state budget for the first time has reached $2
billion 200 million. Next year, our budget will be more than $3
billion. Perhaps, the budget first of all envisions huge amount for
military purposes.

Azerbaijan, economically, is very attractive country. Our economy
develops in high pace, having no analogue in the world. The GDP, in
the first half of 2005, has increased by 17 percent, and this is an
unseen index in the world. Rise of the industrious production by 20
percent means strengthening of our industrious potential and creation
of new infrastructure.

In Azerbaijan, great opportunities appear in the field of economy.
Perhaps, being economically attractive, our country draws attention
of many people. We are open for our friends, and pursue open door
policy. But the forces with insidious purposes should not try to
trespass our borders, they should know – the borders of Azerbaijan
are protected in due level.

Border is a significant token that embodies sovereignty of each
state. Border means independence. The independence is not possible
without border. Azerbaijan, truly, pursues independent policy and in
this, nationwide leader of Azerbaijan has exclusive merits. Just
thanks to his farsightedness, today Azerbaijan, both in political
field, in the international relations and in carrying out economic
reforms inside the country, pursues its state policy freely and in
according to its national interests.

Today, new threats emerge in the world. Combat against international
terrorism today is the factor uniting the world counties. Azerbaijan,
on its part, makes its contribution to fighting the international
terrorism and we shall further carry out this policy. The terrorists
do not recognize borders. Terrorism is jeopardy that it is difficult
to fight it. You do not see the enemy and he insidiously bayonets
you. Therefore, the world countries should unite to successfully
combat against international terrorism. There should not be
discrimination among the terrorists.

Azerbaijan has undergone terrorism. Since early 1990, the Armenian
terrorist organizations have committed about 30 terror acts in the
territory of Azerbaijan, as a result of which over 2 thousands
innocent people were killed. But in those years, we did not see the
world’s serious reaction to this question. Azerbaijan was facing its
problems alone. Neither international community, nor the world
organizations rendered assistance.

Now, as terrorism has become more dangerous for the world, it draws
more attention. That is, I want to say that the terrorists are not
only threat and jeopardy for your country. We should think over the
terrors acts committed in other countries, too. Azerbaijan actively
takes part in the anti-terror coalition and makes its contribution to
this.

We are deeply concerned on Illegal circulation of narcotics. The item
is already in the focus of the United Nations, other influential
global organizations. On our part, we always make certain proposals
on this question.

The greatest problem in Azerbaijan is the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno
Karabakh conflict and remaining of the territories under occupation.
We aspire to resolve the question in peace way, by negotiations.
International organizations pay more and more attention to this
problem. Fair voice of Azerbaijan is heard and the decisions adopted
by world organizations reflect the justice. And along with all these,
along with the diplomatic, political successes, the problem cannot
find its resolution. Therefore, we cannot reconcile with this
situation. We shall and further make efforts to settle the problem by
negotiations, peacefully, by political means, to liberate the
occupied lands of Azerbaijan from the aggressive forces, and then
refugees return to their homelands. We shall do our utmost for this.

At the same time, we all should know if the enemy would face the
great strength, supposedly, it will be open for talks, it will go to
compromises willingly. On this purpose, great works are being done to
strengthen military force of Azerbaijan. Our military budget has
increased by 76 percent and current year makes $300 million. We have
put before the government the task to increase next year the military
budget at this pace, at least, and thus all questions Azerbaijan
faces found their solution.

Material-technical base of our Army should strengthen. New technique,
armaments should be purchased, and will be purchased. Sure, using our
political, diplomatic and military opportunities, we shall gain what
we want. And what we want base on international principles. We do not
claim to the lands of other countries. But we shall not cede a sad of
our lands. Sooner or later, the Armenian leadership should understand
it. To compete with Azerbaijan is not possible for them.
Economically, politically and from the point of integration to the
world community and from the standpoint of military potential, today,
Azerbaijan is stronger than Armenia. In several years, the abyss
between us will deepen much.

Dear friends,

In two days, we all shall marks the day of frontier guards. I
reiterate, success of the Frontier Troops pleases me much. Our
Frontier Troops, from the point of view of material-technical base
and training, meet the highest world standards. Spirit of patriotism
is high. Every time when I meet with frontier guards, I see and feel
it. Remember, I shall make my contributions to development of the
Frontier Troops, and regard this question with deep care and
attention. We all must try for development of the Frontier Troops in
Azerbaijan.

I once again warmly congratulate you on this nice holiday. I wish you
success in service to Motherland.

Thanks.