Interfax, Russia
April 29 2009
Occupation of Azeri territory by Armenian forces among key threats to
Azerbaijan’s security – Aliyev
BAKU April 29
The occupation of part of Azerbaijan’s territory by Armenian forces,
which has been lasting for years, is the greatest threat to security
and stability of not only Azerbaijan but the region on the whole,
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said.
"This is the biggest injustice that we have seen in our region for
about two decades. Internationally recognized Azeri territories are
under the neighboring country’s occupation," Aliyev said at a joint
news briefing with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso
in Brussels on Tuesday.
This occupation turned about one million Azeris into refugees and
displaced persons, he said.
"The policy of ethnic cleansing against Azeris has put seven districts
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh under the control of Armenian armed
forces. We are trying to resolve the conflict in line with
international law, including OSCE decisions and UN Security Council
resolutions demanding that the Armenian armed forces be immediately
withdrawn from our territories," Aliyev said.
Armenia’s position is based on Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to
self-determination, he said.
"This right absolutely does not mean that self-determination should
lead to the violation of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. The
Armenians have determined themselves as a nation. They have a
sovereign state of Armenia. If you use this logic, some 20 countries
with Armenian populations can be created throughout the world. Second,
self- determination of Armenians and Azeris in Nagorno-Karabakh can
and must be within the borders of the sovereign Azeri state. This is
required by international law. Azerbaijan firmly stands on this
position, and I am sure that the conflict can be resolved only on this
basis," he said.