WAYNE MARY: ARMENIA HAS ARMY, AZERBAIJAN ONLY HAS ARMED FORCES
By Petros Keshishian
AZG Armenian Daily
02/12/2006
Nagorno Karabakh conflict can have no military settlement, US foreign
policy and military expert Wayne Mary stated in a speech delivered
at John Hopkins University in Washington. "The military option of
Nagorno Karabakh regulation has been openly discussed in Azerbaijan
recently. But in that case Azerbaijan cannot succeed. Nagorno Karabakh
is an impregnable fortress in itself that is even more reinforced
by the Armenian military detachments. Even the US army will face
difficulties in attacking it," Mary said. In expert’s words, this is
a dominating opinion in the Pentagon.
"The Armenian detachments leave the enemy behind in respect to their
battle-worthiness. It’s no secret that the Armenians have an army
whereas Azerbaijan has only armed forces. In case of a new war,
Azerbaijan will be forced to lean on its human resources whereas
Armenia can count on the superiority of its weaponry," Mary said adding
that in case of a new stage of hostilities it will suffice for Armenia
to only defend Karabakh but Azerbaijan will have to occupy its whole
territory, which is impossible in fact. She pointed out that by using
war rhetoric Baku poses danger to OSCE Minsk Group’s commitment not
allow another bloodshed.
"For the regulation of Karabakh issue the Armenian side has to get
Karabakh and control Lachin corridor.
The other territories surrounding Nagorno Karabakh that serve as
buffer zone should be handed over to Azerbaijan," Wayne Mary stated.