ILHAM ALIYEV OPTIMISTIC

The Messenger
Nov 20 2009
Georgia

On November 17 at a meeting with Karabakh IDPs President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev stated that there are two ways out of the current
situation, either peace or war. Since 1992 negotiations have been
taking place and although they are moving very slowly there is a
certain progress. Currently they are discussing Armenia withdrawing
its troops from all the Azeri regions it has occupied and allowing
Azeri refugees to return to Karabakh.

Ilham Aliyev also stated that the Armenian side has decided to while
away time and use this time to settle Armenian people in Karabakh. He
said that at some point Armenian forces will become unable to control
the established border with Azerbaijan, as Azerbaijan is gaining
strength and improving its demographic situation. The population
is increasing as a faster rate than Armenia’s and today the Azeri
economy is 7 times bigger than Armenia’s while in a couple of years
it will be 13-15 times bigger.

The Azeri President stated that Armenia is isolated from international
projects, all its borders except one are practically sealed and under
these conditions the continued existence of the country is under
question. He expressed his confidence that no country can survive on
foreign financial support alone, in particular a country which has
problems with its neighbour. The gap between Armenia and Azerbaijan
is increasing, but despite this Azerbaijan still prefers the way
of negotiation.