NKR FOREIGN MINISTRY: THERE ARE IRREFUTABLE DATA THAT REASON OF FIRES ARE
AFORETHOUGHT HOSTILE ACTIONS OF AZERBAIJANI SIDE

STEPANAKERT, JULY 17, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. From the beginning
of June 2006 the fires on Nagorno Karabakh territory bordering with
Azerbaijan have been taking place. The situation is a subject of
serious anxiety for Karabakh authorities as it poses a threat for
the security of the NKR and its population. A special commission for
studying circumstances and revealing reasons of the inflammation was
established in the NKR. Representatives of ministries and departments
responsible for security issues were in the commission. For the purpose
of localization the centers of the inflammation and non-admission
of fire spreading the subunits of fire-prevention service and the
NKR Department for Emergency Situations, as well as the leadership of
local administrations and population were mobilized. A twenty-four-hour
duty was organized in all the communities with the object of averting
emergency situations.

Nevertheless, as it was mentioned in the July 17 statement of NKR
Foreign Ministry, the situation in these regions, which in connection
with the ongoing fires is becoming worse, is fraught with unfavorable
long-term consequences for agriculture and food security of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. The number and area of the fires of wheat fields
in the adjoining with Azerbaijan territories have sharply risen.

According to the document, as a result of the work of the NKR special
commission, the incontestable data, indicating the fact that the
reasons of the fires were intentional hostile activities of Azerbaijani
side, were received. By these actions the official Baku pursues a
goal to undermine the economy of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and
prevent from advancing development. For screening its activities the
authorities of Azerbaijan from the very outset launched a wide-ranging
propaganda trying to lay the blame on Karabakh side both in local
and foreign mass media, which is a continuation of a propaganda and
psychological war against the people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
and is an awkward attempt to draw a veil over the aggression act.

"We would like to remind that as early as 2001 the leadership of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic suggested through the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairmen on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement a package of
steps on establishing confidence between the parties to the conflict,
in particular, cooperation on non-admission of ignition of pastures
and agricultural lands in the adjoining regions to Azerbaijani
side. Unfortunately, at that time the initiative of the official
Stepanakert was not supported in Baku and was not honored with proper
attention by the OSCE Minsk Group," the statement read.

The Foreign Ministry statement mentioned: "Moreover, as early as June
15, 2006, the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed to the Office
of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in Office with a
request to conduct a crisis-monitoring in the territory bordering with
Azerbaijan to estimate the real situation on the spot and disprove
far-fetched accusations of Azerbaijani side."

The NKR foreign political department draws the attention of the
international community and, in particular, the co-chairmen of the
OSCE Minsk Group to the circumstance that "if they do not to take
measures concerning the hostile activities of Azerbaijan the official
Stepanakert will have the right to undertake adequate corresponding
activities for ensuring security of the republic."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress