NKR DEFENSE MINISTER: TERRITORIES SURROUNDING NKR HAVE HISTORICALLY BELONGED TO ARMENIAN NATION
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 2 2007
In the course of a press conference held in Stepanakert the
Nagorno-Karabagh Republic Defense Minister Lt. General Seyran Ohanian
stated the territories surrounding the NKR had historically belonged
to the Armenian nation, so he considered them to be liberated, the
Ministers stated, while commenting on the U.S. Department of State
human rights report, according to which Armenia had occupied the
Nagorno-Karabagh and the territories surrounding it, DE FACTO own
correspondent in Stepanakert reports.
The NKR Defense Minister underscored the territories controlled by
the Nagorno-Karabagh formed security zone, so they cannot be returned
until the conflict is finally settled.
Speaking of the situation at the Nagorno-Karabagh and Azeri Armed
Forces’ contact line, Seyran Ohanian noted, "cease-fire is observed
without the third forces’ participation". At the same time he admitted
there were skirmishes at the north-eastern direction, as a result
of which the Karabagh party had lost two servicemen. The Minister
specially underscored the NKR Defense Army did not yield to the enemy
due to the high level of fighting efficiency.
The General refuted the Azeri party’s information, according to
which Azerbaijan’s military planes were flying over the territories
controlled by the Karabagh forces. In the Minister’s words, the forces
of the NKR Defense Army Air Defense were equipped with modern devices,
which allow eliminating the enemy’s aerial threat.
Speaking of the festivities to be held in the NKR in connection with
May 9 – the Victory Day, Shoushi Liberation Day and 15th Anniversary
of the NKR Defense Army – Seyran Ohanian said all the security measures
had been undertaken to prevent Azerbaijan’s possible provocations.
Answering a question on his possible appointment as Chair of RA
Armed Forces Chief Headquarters Seyran Ohanian said he had accepted
the offer.