YEREVAN’S POSITION ON KARABAKH SETTLEMENT IS DESTRUCTIVE – BAKU

Russia & CIS General Newswire
January 21, 2008 Monday 2:42 PM MSK

The statements made by the Armenian leadership prove that Yerevan
has not abandoned its aggressive stance, head of the press service
of the Azeri Foreign Ministry Khazar Ibragim said.

"Such statements cannot have a positive effect on the Nagorno- Karabakh
settlement talks," Ibragim said at a briefing on Monday, commenting on
a statement by Armenian Defense Minister Mikael Arutyunian that Armenia
is ready "to provide Azerbaijan with another two million refugees."

"This statement is proof of Armenia’s destructive position and of the
fact that Armenia has not given up its aggressive plans," Ibragim said.

The spokesman pointed out that the rhetoric of the Armenian side
should not intimidate Azerbaijan.

"The positions Azerbaijan and Armenia occupy in the world today are
obvious. That is why these statements can be treated as the hysteria
of Armenian authorities provoked by the incapacity to change a thing
in the current situation," Ibragim said.

As to Azerbaijan, Baku has strived and will continue to strive to
resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict solely within the framework of
its territorial integrity, he said.

"As far as Nagorno-Karabakh’s further status is concerned, Azerbaijan
is ready to give the region a high degree of autonomy.

Probably, there will be no need for such a high degree of autonomy, but
Azerbaijan has articulated its readiness to offer it," Ibragim said.