ELDAR SABIROGLU: STRUCTURAL REFORMS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT IN THE CENTRAL OFFICE OF THE DEFENSE MINISTRY

APA
13 Aug 2009 16:45

Military commissars of some regions were indeed dismissed Spokesman
for Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, Lieutenant-Colonel Eldar Sabiroglu’s
interview to APA – Defense Ministry has recently become the target
of some media outlets. What are the causes?

– To tell the truth, it is also interesting for us to know the
reason. Why does it happen? Why does the Defense Ministry undergo
attacks? There may be more questions. How can we prohibit writing? On
the other hand, we are astonished at the biased campaign. Some
attribute it to their love of army. So, we hesitate whether to believe
or not. Some critics say they do it because of love of army. One thing
remains – to lift the curtain from this love in order to see whether
it is true or not. Only then the intention is exposed. They become
unbearable when we say they do not approach the problem correctly.

We face such libels in two or three newspapers every day. At times, a
man has biased approach, feels hatred towards someone for a long time
and finally one day he says stop. It is a positive quality. But the
participants of the biased campaign against the Defense Ministry are
not going to stop. If you can write, it does not mean that whatever
you write and say is true, no one can touch you. Unfortunately, it
is characteristic of some media captains. We would not like it to be
so. The public also sees it.

– What do you concretely mean?

– I would like more to answer the question – How sincere are some
people in their intentions? Have they thought of getting rid of the
patrons? I think there is no need for threats, irony or insults. Do
you know why they sometimes target us? Why do you criticize Armenian
Army, not Azerbaijani Army, or why do you speak more about Armenian
army? This is terrible. So, it turns out that we should destroy our
army together with these persons.

– Various articles are written about the army every day. What is
happening and how is the present state of the army?

– First of all, we can not blame the entire media for having biased
attitude towards the Defense Ministry. No one in the ministry
considers that everything is ideal in the army and that we have no
problem. Work should continue on completely forming the army. The
leadership of the Defense Ministry approaches this process more deeply
and scientifically. Let’s provide example from the most experienced
and strongest armies of the world. More serious events happen in
those armies. We do not intend to hide something in our army. We say
Azerbaijan’s Army is the strongest army in the South Caucasus and
this is not groundless. I do not want to give names. Azerbaijan’s
army completely differs from the armies of most post-Soviet countries
for its logistics, professional officer corps, battle readiness of
soldiers. We have advantages over them. Perfect military parade was
held on occasion of the 90th anniversary of the army last year,
President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev has recently
watched the joint exercise of the Armed Forces, all this shows that
an Azerbaijani soldier is ready for any extreme case. Our soldier is
in trench for about 20 years. Our soldiers and officers are on guard
along 1000km line of contact. It is unfair to assess the whole army
by one incident, introduce the army as weak.

– Much is spoken about premeditated murders in the army. Have such
cases increased? If so what is its cause?

– I would not say increased. But several deaths have been recently
recorded. Of course, loss of every soldier is mournful for us. One
psychological moment should be taken into consideration. Thousands of
unfamiliar young people are gathered within several days. They have
different way of thinking and upbringing. Sometimes they have problems
while getting accustomed to one another. They quarrel because of a
simple word. And sometimes, weapon is used without any reason. Not
only one body, the army leadership is responsible for developing a
soldier. A young man should have certain preparations by the time he
is drafted. Patriotic upbringing of soldiers should start from family,
schools, society.

The leadership of the Defense Ministry is combating against
premeditated murder in the army and tries to prevent such
cases. Sometimes, it is impossible to prevent an unexpected incident. I
want to note that Defense Ministry, Minister Safar Abiyev is interested
more in solving any crime and bringing the criminal to trial. Nothing
is hidden.

– What can you say about the new articles on bullying in Azerbaijani
Army?

– We have expressed our position about it several times. The situation
is not as described in some media outlets. There is indeed no case of
bullying in our army. Sometimes, a soldier has bad attitude towards
the other soldier. It should not be regarded as bullying. It would be
better regarded as violation of military regulations. Sometimes those
drafted in the same month have quarrel. It has nothing to do with
bullying. At times groundless information is published. We clarify
the situation, but can not prevent various approaches.

– According to some reports the leadership of the Defense Ministry
will be replaced and a civilian will be appointed to the army
leadership. Are these reports true?

– These reports are not new, they have been published for several
years. But everybody knows the truth. Though this is my subjective
opinion, I should say that military man as Defense Minister is better
at a time when Azerbaijan is at war. This is in the competence of
the state.

– What can you say about the media reports about the resignation of
two generals and staff changes?

– Much has been written about those two generals. They were pensioned
off, evidently their wish was taken into consideration.

Reforms are always carried out, structure is improved in the
army. Now such changes are realized in the Central Office of the
Defense Ministry. We are sure that these changes will have positive
influence on the ministry’s activity.

– Military commissars of 20 regions have reportedly been dismissed. Is
it true?

– It is difficult for me to say the concrete number. But military
commissars of several regions were indeed dismissed. Some of them
were pensioned off, some dismissed because of the faults in their work.

– What will happen after the amendments made to the draft rules?

– Everything is obvious. Improvement realized with the recommendation
of President Ilham Aliyev produced good results. Our people are
satisfied with these changes. There are some minor technical problems,
we will be able to solve them soon, there will be no problem in the
draft system.

– Defense Ministry has sued the Yeni Musavat newspaper and two
independent experts. They say they will have other claims in the
trial. What can you say about it?

– This is their right. But there is a concrete fact. They should
speak about it. But as seen they attempt to evade this fact. I was
astonished when I read their other "evidences". They seem to threaten
us. Defense Ministry is going to appeal to court for the article
"What does Azerbaijani soldier eat?". They wrote it and we ask its
proof. When was cat food given to soldiers, who brought it etc. We
are waiting for their documents, evidences. It will be clear who
creates problems and who is a slanderer. They say we threaten them
with court. It is a very unsuccessful expression. Have we threatened
them with weapons? Defense Ministry supports legal solution of all
disputes. Therefore we appealed to court.

– Some say Defense Ministry still prefers secrecy. The press service
of the ministry gives "ironed" information. Is it true?

– I think quite the contrary. Defense Ministry, as a military
structure, is now closer to the society. Secrecy has almost been
lifted. Everything is obvious. The press service regularly gives
information about the ministry’s activity, happenings in the army. May
be they want more. State of war should not be forgotten. It should
be understood that in exceptional cases some issues can not be made
public. Believe me that even I am unaware of some issues. This is
normal. We can not make everything public. The enemy is on watch and
analyses everything.