ARMENIAN MINISTER RULES OUT NEW GARABAGH WAR

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
June 12 2006

Baku, June 9, AssA-Irada
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian has maintained that
the possibility of a new war over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh looks
rather unrealistic, although the situation may change in the future
considering Azerbaijan’s belligerent statements.

“Azerbaijan is not ready for a military option now and won’t be ready
over the next 10 years even taking into account its oil industry
potential,” said Oskanian.

Oskanian said there is a “limit to compromises” for his country with
regard to settling the Garabagh conflict.

“There is a boundary Armenia will never cross, no matter how long
the conflict resolution lasts and how much Azerbaijan blackmails us
with oil dollars and threats to use military action,” he told a local
TV channel.

Oskanian alleged that his country had already accepted major
concessions in order to advance the peace process.