ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: "I SEE NO OPPORTUNITY FOR AZERBAIJAN TO LAUNCH MILITARY ACTIONS"

REGNUM
September 12, 2007

"Today, I see no opportunity for Azerbaijan to launch military
actions, but as defense minister I am ready for start of military
action at any moment," Armenia’s Defense Minister Mikael Arutyunyan
told a REGNUM correspondent today commenting on the question whether
recently increased publications in Azerbaijani media a kind of a
preparation stage or excuse for renewing military action.

According to him, the level of tension on the border announced by
Baku does not reflect the reality. "If they want to rule out firing
periodically heard on the border, I recommend that they take under
control their troops and prohibit shooting to them, as when they
start firing from the Azerbaijani side, we always provide an equal
response," he noted adding that at any moment the Army is ready to
show resistance to any challenge and protect provide security of both
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Overall, according to the minister,
such publications are an evident demonstration of the Azerbaijani
propaganda aimed mostly at domestic consumption.

Asked by the REGNUM correspondent to comment on reports about Iranian
citizens in the Armenian Armed Forces, Arutyunyan said that this was
one of propaganda components by Baku and noted that such statements
are absurd.