Armenian efforts to hinder regional railway project failed, Azeri leader says
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Posted July 11 2006
Baku, July 10, AssA-Irada — Some forces are trying to hinder the
project on building the major Gars-Tbilisi-Baku railway to link
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, President Ilham Aliyev has said.
"Armenia and the Armenian lobby are particularly hostile to Azerbaijan
and Turkey and doing everything in their power to deal a blow upon
both countries," Aliyev told Turkey’s Jumhuriyyet (Republic) newspaper.
The president said Armenians’ efforts to impede the railway project
will fail. "I am confident that we will implement this project,"
he said.
President Aliyev added that the fact Azerbaijan and Turkey are in
no need for various international organizations’ support shattered
Armenians’ attempts.
The president said Armenians’ hostility against Turks makes it pivotal
for the two countries to pursue a firm political course.
The head of state said the Armenian lobby was also against the
realization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) main export pipeline
project. Armenians even sent out letters, trying to put pressure on
the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other international
financial institutions funding the project.
"But they achieved nothing, as the will of Azerbaijan and Turkey and
the active participation of Georgia prevented them from disrupting
the activities," Aliyev said.*