KOCHARIAN SAYS STATUS QUO RESTORED IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH LINE OF CONTACT

ARMENPRESS
March 5, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS: President Robert Kocharian said today it
was necessary to restore the ceasefire regime along the entire line of
contact between Armenian troops of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azeri forces.

Kocharian said Armenia was able to restore normal situation along
the line of contact.

"In all likelihood Azerbaijani leaders thought that because of
recent events in Yerevan the army of Nagorno-Karabakh has lost its
vigilance or communication with Armenia became difficult," he said
to journalists.

He said the combat readiness of the army is on the proper level
and politically it was not correct (for Azerbaijan) to seize this
opportunity and seek other goals.

Kocharian said Azerbaijani forces attacked Armenian positions northeast
of Nagorno-Karabakh early Tuesday, wounding two Armenian servicemen
and seized briefly positions held by forces of Nagorno-Karabakh,
but Armenians regained control in a counteroffensive.

Incidentally, the clashes came as Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliev,
issued his latest suggestion that his country could use force to
regain control over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Kocharian said Armenian military got in touch with Azeri counterparts
and both sides agreed to stop skirmishes.