"ECHO": CAN ARMENIA START WAR FIRST?
Kh. Gasimova, N. Ramizoglu
Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
July 6 2006
Accordingly to experts, such variant must be ruled out as the countries
that invested South Caucasus will not allow such provocations.
Armenia will not be able to start the war first as it would be the end
for this country. It was the statement made by head of press service
of the Defense Ministry, Ramiz Melikov, for "Echo", on commenting
recent statement of vice speaker of the parliament of Armenia, Vaan
Ovanesyan concerning taking "steps" to prevent the threat to Armenia.
In interview for "Aravot", Ovanesyan stated that "if Azerbaijan
declares openly that it needs time out to strengthen attack, then,
it would be wrong to provide time for it". "If we see that Azerbaijan
not only threatens but turns into real threat for us, we should think
about our own steps", he said. At the same time, Ovanesyan refused
to explain what steps he meant.
Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan holds that at this stage Armenia
even cannot think of military operations against Azerbaijan. "Famous
Azerbaijani poet, Samad Vurgun, wrote that before death comes, goat
bothers herdsman. World knows Armenian as aggressor, and it cannot
take such step to worsen its image. As for Azerbaijani military forces,
they must be ready to repulse attacks of enemies", Melikov emphasized.
Milli Mejlis deputy, Vakhid Ahmadov, shares this opinion. He and group
of deputies recently visited one of military units on front line. He
doubted that Armenia can start the war first. "While all leading
countries and international organizations insist on regulation of this
conflict this year, such turning-point is impossible. Leading countries
are interested in security of South Caucasus and it is not surprising,
as they invested economy of the region", parliament member said for
"Echo". At the same time Akhundov doesn’t deny that Armenia may give
way to provocations. "Armenia knows that it is in no-go". Though he is
sure that in case of attack against Azerbaijan on the part of Armenia,
our army can manifest its forces to prevent provocations on the part
of neighboring country.
Military expert, Uzeir Jafarov, holds that Ovanesyan’s statement
shouldn’t be taken seriously. He believes that it is another attempt
of Armenian politicians to present desirable thing as real one. "To
admit it was possible several years ago, as there were opportunities
and prerequisites for the start of military operations. Taking into
consideration the fact that economic project Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan is
realized in the region, I don’t think Azerbaijan or Armenia can be
given chance to start military operations", Jafarov said for "Echo".
Though accordingly to expert, Azerbaijan has moral and legal right
to declare war to Armenia. Armenia occupied Azerbaijani territories
and this fact is recorded in 4 UN resolutions. "We have right to start
military operations. Nobody can use economic and legal sanction against
Azerbaijan. Last statement of OSCE Minsk group co-chairmen once again
proves that we just waste time, and no progress is observed in peace
talks on regulation of Nagorni Garabagh conflict.
At the same time Armenia refuses to return Lachin, Kalbajar regions".
He said. Expert holds that in near future there will be
no prerequisites for military operations. Though, he holds that
Armenians attempt to do something in frontline regions. "But if any
attempt of Armenia causes war, then separatist will face repulse",
expert concluded.
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