AZERBAIJAN HAS RIGHT TO LIBERATE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES BY FORCE – ALIYEV

Interfax
June 24 2009
Russia

Azerbaijan has carried out a large-scale field exercise, involving
Defense Ministry’s troops, State Border Service and interior troops,
which was attended by Azeri President Ilkham Aliyev.

"The Azeri Army is a strong army. The process of strengthening the
Armed Forces is moving successfully at a fast pace," Aliyev said
after the drills on Wednesday.

"If necessary, Azerbaijan may exercise its full right to liberate
the occupied territories by force," the president said, noting that
justice and the international law are on the Azeri side.

Azerbaijan lives in conditions of war with Armenia and in such
conditions the Azeri Army should be ready to liberate the occupied
territories at any moment, the president said.

Azerbaijan tries to peacefully resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict;
however, the lack of results at talks with Armenia makes Azerbaijan
to pay greater attention to strengthening its military power, he said.

"Today the Azeri Army is the strongest army in the region and is
capable of accomplishing any mission," the president said.

"We should be ready to liberate our lands at any moment," he said.