NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT WILL BE SOLVED IN AZERBAIJAN FAVOR- PRES

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
March 20, 2007 Tuesday 09:55 AM EST

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be solved in favour of Azerbaijan,
Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev said at the festivities on the
occasion of Novruz Bayrami, traditional New Year and spring holiday.

"Our country’s positions are strengthening," he said. "World’s leading
countries and international organisations recognize its territorial
integrity."

Aliyev stressed that "Azerbaijan should rely only on its own force."

"We must be strong, we must strengthen our economy and Armed Forces.

We should do our utmost so that at any moment we could somehow free
the occupied territories of Azerbaijan," he said.

Aliyev blamed Armenia for drawn-out negotiations and unproductive
position.

"But they must know time is on our side," he said.

"Azerbaijan’s economy surpasses Armenian economy by a factor
of seven. Keeping in mind that we are still at the beginning of
large-scale oil projects, in two to three years from now we’ll enjoy
absolute supremacy over Armenia," Aliyev said.

"In that case, Azerbaijan will easily solve any problem it will face,"
he said.