DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Oct 26 2006
SERGE SARGSYAN: `’IF HOSTILITIES ARE RESUMED ARMENIA WILL SCORE
ADVANTAGE AGAIN”
`’The Karabakh conflict should be settled in an amicable way via
mutual compromises”, stated RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan in an
interview with Janes Research Center.
However, according to RA Defense Minister, Azerbaijan’s policy does
not contribute to the issue’s settlement. `’Today the Azeri officials
again speak of the war’s resumption. Current year they have increased
military expenditure”, Serge Sargsyan noted having added that
according to the independent experts Azerbaijan is still unable to
resolve the problem by force of arms. `’If hostilities are resumed,
Armenia will again score advantage. However, irrespective of the
outcomes, the war will inflict a blow on both parties”, RA Defense
Minister stated.
Speaking about Azerbaijan’s oil profits, which official Baku is
attempting to use to solve the Karabakh issue in its favor, Serge
Sargsyan reminded in early nineties Azerbaijan had also been superior
in numbers and armaments to the Armenian party.
`’In 1992 they encircled the Karabakh Armenians, and one could hardly
believe we will manage to climb to success”, Serge Sargsyan said. He
expressed hope that Azerbaijan’s leadership would abandon the
military option of the Karabakh issue’s settlement sooner or later,
Freedom Radio Station reports.