AFTER FRIED’S VISIT ALIYEV FALLS BACK INTO HIS OLD DAYS
By Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily #049, 18/03/2006
Karabakh issue
“Year by year Azerbaijan increases its military might, and this year
the country’s military budget will amount to $600 million. I have set
a task to raise Azerbaijan’s military budget to the entire budget of
Armenia,” Azeri President Ilham Aliyev stated at the second assembly
of Azerbaijan’s of the world in Baku.
According to Trend news agency, Aliyev drew fabulous oil prospects,
saying that by winning European markets Azerbaijan would enhance its
position “in the region, on the continent and the whole world.” The
Azeri leader is sure that Azerbaijan plays the most active role in the
region thanks to its developing economy, and without its participation
no political and economic projects will be implemented.
Despite the arms race in the neighboring country, Aliyev stated
that he stands for peaceful settlement but “when we face Armenia’s
destructive stance, we lose our patience.” Aliyev pointed out once
again that territorial integrity of Azerbaijan cannot be discussed. He
added that Armenia will answer for ethnic cleansings too.
Against the background of the recent visits of high-ranking
officials to the region and high expectation for 2006, it’s merely
incomprehensible what US state department representatives Daniel
Fried, Matthew Bryza and Minsk group co-chairs discuss with Aliyev
if the latter keeps on declaiming his favorite sentences?
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
