AZERI LEADER THREATENS ARMENIA WITH WAR AS HE OPENS MUSEUM AT SECURITY MINISTRY

ANS TV, Baku
27 Mar 06

[Presenter] Despite Armenia’s nonconstructive position, the peace
potential has not yet been exhausted. But Armenia must know that
Azerbaijan can regain its territories through war at any moment,
President Ilham Aliyev has told the opening of the Heydar Aliyev museum
at the Heydar Aliyev Academy of the National Security Ministry as he
presented a military banner to the academy.

[President Aliyev, shown speaking to the ceremony] I think that the
peace potential has not yet been exhausted. Therefore, we will of
course remain faithful to the peace process.

But at the same time, we must be ready for any eventuality and that
is why Azerbaijan has stepped up its army building efforts in recent
years. Our military spending has increased over the past years, and
it will increase further. This is our sovereign right, this is our
job. Our country is in a state of war.

Our territorial integrity has been violated. Our sovereignty has
been violated. Therefore, the increase in military spending is only
natural. [Azerbaijan’s] economy should be strong in order to achieve
this. And, as you know, we are paying a lot of attention to economic
reforms.

Therefore, I would like to reiterate that the settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict depends on diplomatic, political,
economic and military factors.

The opposite side must know that Azerbaijan is capable of securing
its territorial integrity through war at any moment. This is what
they should know.