AZERBAIJANI INTERIOR TROOPS’ SPECIAL FORCES SUITABLE FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS IN NK

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 26 2006

Commander of Interior Troops Zakir Hasanov: I advocate public and
democratic control on the Army

The APA interviewed Commander of Interior Troops, General Lieutenant
Zakir Hasanov.

-Azerbaijan has professional Interior Troops who are ready to fulfill
errands given by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The main thing is that
our military personnel know their duties very well and ready to fulfill
them. The Interior Troops’ officers are mastering experiences of both
military body and law enforcement bodies. We are working on this issue.

-What countries and international organizations do the Interior Troops
cooperate with?

-We have been closely cooperating with Turkey’s Gendarmerie since
1997. Under the protocol, Turkey supports equipping, training of
personnel of the Interior Troops. Our Troops meet modern standards by
the assistance of the Turkish Gendarmerie. We are also cooperating
with China, Italy, Russia, U.S., Germany, Romania as well as with
NATO and FIEP. We conduct joint trainings.

Our main task is to conform the Interior Troops to European standards.

-The assessment mission from the Association of the European and
Mediterranean Police Forces and Gendarmeries with Military Status
(FIEP) has visited Azerbaijan recently. What do you expect from the
talks. Whendou think the Interior Troops will become FIEP member?

-The FIEP assessment group familiarized with the service,
professionalism and social condition of the Interior Troops. They
get a certain idea of the Troops. The assessment group is preparing
a report for the member countries. This report will be discussed at
the FIEP secretariat and the decision on membership will be discussed
at the meeting of FIEP authorities.

-Are there any plans on increase of defense expenditure?

– The logistics of the Interior Troops is in high level. Great majority
of social problems have been solved in the past two years thanks to
the head of state’s and Interior Minister Ramil Usubov’s care. The
personnel, in particular soldiers of the Troops have been ensured
wide opportunities today. All the military units and military camps
meet modern standards. We opened a hostel for officers in Baku in the
past one year. The construction of hostels in Sheki and Guba is about
to be completed. We also established a holiday-resort for officers
in Nabran. 136 billion manats (AZM) have been allocated for us from
the budget. Our budget is increasing every year. We are planning to
implement social programs in 2007-2008.

-Some countries benefit from the opportunities of Interior Troops and
similar bodies in solving problems like the Nagorno Garabagh problem.

How do you assess the Interior Troops’ preparation for operation
against the separatist forces in Garabagh?

-Besides, the separatist regime, there are Armenian Armed Forces in
Nagorno Garabagh. If there were only separatist forces, the Nagorno
Garabagh conflict could have been solved in a short period of time.

It is not so difficult to neutralize a small gangster. We had to
resist large-scale forces of Armenia and their supporters. They have
been supplied with heavy weapons and therefore, they can be defeated
by large-scale military operations. However, the Interior Troops
are prepared to interfere in this armed conflict any time. We have
high professionalism, equipment and first of all high spirit in our
military personnel. We will also undertake responsibilities if the war
starts. These responsibilities can be neutralization and disarmament of
gangsters in the liberated territories, patrol services or organizing
diversions behind the enemy to support our Army’s attack in mountainous
areas and so on. Our operation regiments can be involved in the battles
together with the Army. The special forces of Interior Troops are
being trained to be suitable for military operations in very Garabagh.

-However, the special forces are said to be used as riot squads to
suppress rallies and unrests most of all.

-These forces are used to fight both armed crimes and preserve
public order. Their professionalism is always on focus. Our special
forces are cooperating with Turkish Gendarmerie. Our officers attend
training courses in Turkey. As coming to rallies, The Interior Troops
do not engage in politics, their function is to defend our state from
criminal and outlaw attempts. We participate only in preventing mass
unrests. The practice shows some outlaw forces organize mass unrests.

We are ready to fulfill our duty. I am convinced that no outlaw force
can violate stability in Azerbaijan today!

-The Military Prosecutor’s Office says there is a high level corruption
in the Armed Forces. Is there such a problem in the Interior Troops?

-I am not informed of the processes in other bodies. There should be
a strong control to prevent corruption. No officer or ensign of the
Interior Troops has been called to account for corruption or bribery
since 2002. The Troops are being overseen by the Interior Ministry
and several other bodies. The officers of the Prosecutor’s Office
regularly visit our military units. Corruption is unacceptable in a
military body.

-The Council of Europe is also concerned over events contrary to
the Regulations of Armed Forces. What actions are taken to remove
such events?

– Legal framework prevents contrary to the Army’s Regulations. If
there is a right behavior to a soldier, there will be no problem. We
need to cooperate with parents. Our body is open to parents. We invite
parents of soldier to the military units every weekend, and I attend
these meetings too. We advocate public and democratic control on the
Army. Then the problems will be removed. Since, we are integrating
into Europe, this control is necessary.

-Do the parents complain of something?

-The complaints are due to leave and permission of soldiers to go
home for a short-term. Taking into account possible events, we cannot
allow soldiers to the city as they do not know the city well. They are
from province. We allow them in groups and take leave in accordance
with legislation. We rarely receive complaints on relationships
among soldiers.

-What about the establishment of the peacekeeping party in the
Interior Troops?

-A peacekeeping party is to be established in the Interior Troops
in the framework of the cooperation program with NATO. Preliminary
measures have been implemented for this. The officers have been
trained, staff meeting NATO standards has been established. The
party has been supplied with weapons and equipment. There remains
some measures to be implemented regarding purchasing of communication
facilities that are used in NATO forces. This problem will be addressed
in the context of mutual relations, and the peacekeeping party will
be ready early in 2007.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress