Seyran Ohanyan: We’ll not return the territories comprising our security
zone before the recognition of NKR

ArmRadio.am
07.07.2006 18:00

NKR Defense Minister, Colonel-General Seyran Ohanyan declared today
in Stepanakert that "before recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic we do not intend to return the territories comprising our
security zone."

Seyran Ohanyan noted that the Karabakh side stands for the peaceful
settlement of the conflict, "but Azerbaijan imposed war on us and we
had to resolve the issue in a military way."

In the Minister’s words, the territories under NKR control are not
an end in itself, they serve as a security zone to provide for the
peaceful existence of the Republic.

The General underlined that the question of deployment of peacekeeping
forces on the these territories and the conflict zone will be discussed
at the final stage of the settlement, after the resolution of the
major issue, i.e. the determination of the Nagorno-Karabakh status.
"If the major problem is not resolved, there can be no question about
the return of territories," the Foreign Minister remarked.

Turning to the militant statements of Azerbaijan, Seyran Ohanyan
expressed the opinion that in reality the Azeri side is not willing
to start war. In the Minister’s opinion, the military rhetoric of
Baku pursues domestic political objectives. He noted also that NKR
Army possesses effective measures of defending the Republic.