SEYRAN OHANYAN "IN ANY TIMEFRAME WE WILL GIVE RELEVANT RESPONSE IF AZERBAIJAN APPLIES AGGRESSION AGAINST ARMENIAN PEOPLE AND NKR"

ARMENPRESS
Dec 14, 2009

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS: "The military rhetoric of Azerbaijani
leadership and particularly of the Azerbaijani Defense Minister has
become quite usual for us. Usual, in respect that to speak much,
say much does not yet mean to do, and we have always responded them
and advised that it is better to direct efforts toward the today’s
negotiation process, giving solution to the issue through dialogue
as we find that an alternative solution – military way of settlement
of the conflict – once was given, and what war means the Azerbaijani
side knows better than we do and particularly their defense minister,"
Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said in December 11 interview
to the Armenian Public TV.

According to him, the leadership of the defense establishment is the
most one to want peace as during war the servicemen suffer more.

"Nevertheless, we do relevant conclusions and are ready to any
challenge," the minister said.

Referring to the issue that the Azerbaijanis are incessantly stating
that they are upgrading the army with the oil-money and release for
the army sums amounting to Armenia’s budget, the Armenian minister
said that not only we but the international analysts as well give
assessment about the level of Armenia’s army, and "I think that with
the level of our preparedness we do not yield to the region.

Moreover, we are more organized and implement the issues we are
facing with more dignity and pride. As to the budget issues of
our army, of course, under the monitoring of the international
community, Azerbaijani leadership is spending big sums on the army
but another thing is to use it effectively. And under this glance of
the international community they violate agreements, attempting to
create misbalance in the region," the minister said.

Recently Armenian President stated at the assembly of the Armenian
Republican Party that the Armenian side will never let any
encroachments against Nagorno Karabakh and is ready to respond to
any encroachment with the strictest means.

In response to the questions whether the Armenian side has the
strength, and can the defense minister confirm it, Seyran Ohanyan said
"We know the sources of that oil-dollars and in any timeframe will
give relevant response if Azerbaijan applies to aggression against
the Armenian people and people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,
will go in a way it tried to pass from 1988-1994, responding to the
so kind will of self-determination of the Nagorno Karabakh people".