VLADIMIR TIMOSHENKO: "AZERBAIJAN SHOULD ANNOUNCE MORATORIUM ON CONTINUATION OF INEFFECTIVE TALKS, AS TIME WORKS ON ARMENIA"
Today.Az
03 July 2008
Azerbaijan
Day.Az with famous political scientist Vladimir Timoshenko.
– These days Armenian President and Foreign Minister have made loud
statements that "Nagorno Karabakh will never accept the lower status
than its current one, that is de-facto independence. Are these just
statements, intended for internal consumption or evidence of toughening
position of official Yerevan?
– The recent statements made by Armenian President and Armenian
Foreign Minister make me think definitely. In place of the Azerbaijani
leadership, I would have declared moratorium on conduction of talks
not only between the Presidents but also the Foreign Ministers. There
has been no progress in the negotiation process. Armenians have taken
a radical position and attempt to make us concede.
If we really base on the position of territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan and do not agree to make any concessions in this issue,
first of all, we should announce a moratorium on the continuation of
talks. Let the Minsk Group continue its hopeless activity and if they
have something new, they will define any steps to close the positions,
they should report directly to the leadership of our country, which
will further take a decision about further steps. If we just hold
talks, it has a certain threat for Azerbaijan, as time works on
Armenia, as they have time to consolidate their illegal regime in
Nagorno Karabakh.
Second, I would try to avoid such phrase as "the peaceful ways of
resolution of the conflict". I would also avoid the phrase "alternative
way of the problem settlement", replacing it with "Azerbaijan takes
all urgent measures to ensure its territorial integrity" and let
everyone take as he wills.
Moreover, I would ask our mass media to stop paying such increased
attention to our defense budget as it causes nothing but harm. In
this issue I would recommend to follow USSR’s way, where mass media
showed only the party of defense expenses, used for military training,
technique and weapons, while the social issues, house building,
nutrition, treatment and others were not included into the defense
budget.
If we seriously deal with the issues of military construction, we
should speak less on this topic, for the more we do it, the more it
seems that we try to scare someone. This is not the way out.
– Do you think that the recent military parade in Baku also did not
impress Armenians?
– I don’t. Parade is mostly our internal issues. I regarded it as a
means for influencing the young generation and youth.
Armenian army is also well-equipped. We do not have full information
about it. Do you remember how many facilities were transferred to
Armenia following the disbandment of the 366th division and withdrawal
of Russian bases from Georgia.
It would be naive to reckon that Armenians would voice readiness to
liberate our lands following the parade.
– Is resumption of hostilities with Armenia possible?
– Armenia does not need hostilities for sure. They have almost attained
their goal and try to preserve the quo status.
On the whole I would separate Nagorno Karabakh from seven other
occupied regions around it. The settlement of Karabakh status can
be left for later, but we have a right to initiate open attack
and liberate these seven regions any time, which would comply with
international law
This is our territory! Name another country, whose 20% lands are
under occupation. Remember, how the world community interfered when
Iraq attacked Kuwait, while 20% of our lands have been occupied and
nothing. Only several years ago the world community recognized Armenia
as an aggressor and Karabakh regime as separatist on the background
of so many years of silence!
We will define the Nagorno Karabakh status peacefully and we have a
right to liberate the regions around it as we want. Though Karabakh
is also our territory and we will liberate it sooner or later.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress