IN 2006 KARABAKH FORCES’ LOSSES IN THE CONFRONTATION ZONE REDUCED TO ZERO

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Dec 7 2006

December 6, in the course of a press conference held in the
zone adjacent to Azerbaijan, in the direction of Aghdam, the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Minister Lt. – General Seyran Ohanian
estimated the situation along the Nagorno-Karabakh and Azeri Armed
Forces’ contact line as comparatively calm, DE FACTO own correspondent
in Stepanakert reports.

At the same time the Minister stated skirmish and sniper war was
being waged on the front line, noting, "the cease-fire was violated
by the enemy". "With a view to propaganda the Azeri party is trying
to charge us with the cease-fire’s violation; however, the competent
organizations and persons know what is really going on", Seyran
Ohanian underscored. The General said in 2006 the Karabakh forces’
losses in the confrontation zone were actually reduced to zero.

Speaking about the growth of Azerbaijan’s military budget, Seyran
Ohanian noted, "we are, undoubtedly, concerned over the fact; however,
we should make qualitative changes in our army to oppose them to
quantitative changes in the Azerbaijani army, that is to say, the
NKR Defense Army’s battle efficiency and flexibility should be raised".

Answering the question concerning the fact that the Azeri President
Ilham Aliyev repeatedly stated in case of a failure Baku would
resolve the Karabakh issue by force of arms, Seyran Ohanian stressed,
"I believe it is just propaganda, however, until the issue’s final
peaceful settlement is achieved, we should strengthen our defense
positions".

Touching on the possibility of return of the territories forming the
Nagorno-Karabakh’s security zone to Azerbaijan, he remarked, "if we
wish to resolve the issue, we should be ready for the compromises
being discussed at the talks".

Commenting on the DE FACTO Agency’s request the proposal made by
the GUAM countries to send their peacekeeping forces to the Karabakh
conflict zone, the Minister noted, "the peacekeeping contingent should
act under the OSCE aegis, as the process of the conflict settlement
proceeds within the frames of the organization, which the Minsk group
Co-Chairs have repeatedly stated".