REPORT CALLS FOR AZERBAIJAN REFORMS

Middle East Times
Nov 3 2008
Egypt

BRUSSELS, Nov. 3 (UPI) — Azerbaijan’s military investments have
raised concerns about a possible renewed conflict with Armenia,
a report from the International Crisis Group says.

The report by the independent non-governmental organization says
that oil wealth has enabled Azerbaijan to substantially increase its
defense budget. Officials argue that while Azerbaijan has been trying
to upgrade its military, much needed reforms have yet to take place,
the Crisis Group reported.

The report cites concerns that Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, instead of
pursuing reforms, might attempt to recover the semiautonomous region
of Nagorno-Karabakh, which could prompt a war with Armenia. Crisis
Group officials are calling on leaders of Azerbaijan to permit more
transparency of their defense sector and open a dialogue with Armenia
to avoid violence.

"It makes sense both for Azerbaijan to pursue the kind of deep reforms
of structures, laws and procedures necessary to build a truly excellent
military and for NATO and other democratic states to provide a degree
of assistance," Sabine Freizer, Crisis Group Europe program director,
said in a statement.

"However, the fundamental need is for all who profess an interest in
stability in these areas to give more priority to ensuring that it is
diplomacy, not war, that provides the answer to the still dangerous
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."