AZERI PRESIDENT SAYS NO COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA UNTIL LANDS ‘LIBERATED’

ARMENPRESS
Feb 5, 2008

BAKU, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS: "Burgeoning economy, effective armed
forces and strong military and industrial resources are the guarantees
of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a way that will benefit
Azerbaijan and we are already seeing its signs,’ Azeri president
Ilham Aliyev said today as he was awarded The Man of the Year title.

Aliyev reiterated his government’s stance of no cooperation with
Armenia until it ‘liberates’ its regions, saying also all efforts
will be concentrated on liberating Azerbaijan’s occupied lands.

He said a greater attention will be paid to military sector. "Our
military spending is on the constant rise and we are building a strong
military and industrial complex which will be instrumental in freeing
our lands,’ he was quoted as saying by Trend news agency.

He simultaneously spoke about the ongoing negotiations for the peaceful
settlement of the conflict, adding that he hopes they would produce
a result. "But if the talks fail to yield any outcome then we shall
use force to liberate our lands,’ he said.