AZERBAIJAN MOST UNLIKELY TO RESUME LARGE-SCALE HOSTILITIES – VAGHARSHAK HARUTYUNYAN
19:12 * 02.04.15
Azerbaijan is most unlikely to resume large-scale hostilities Armenia’s
ex-minister of defense Vagharshak Harutyunyan stated at a discussion
on the politico-military situation surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.
“If we speak of large-scale hostilities, I think the probability is
extremely low. The first factor is Armenia’s efficient army, which is
ready for battle. Armenian-Russian relations are an additional factor.
Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO) and Russia’s ally,” Mr Harutyunyan said.
As regards the developments on the border, one should not forget
Azerbaijan is dealing with its own problems – domestic and external
ones. They have to meet the people’s demands, which accounts for
their attempts to get Nagorno-Karabakh back.
The developments on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Line of Contact are not
war. They are gross ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan.
As to why the CSTO does not adequately respond, Mr Harutyunyan said
that the CSTO did respond, and CSTO Secretary General visited the
Line of Contact.
“The CSTO interferes in case of aggression if a state applies to it.
Armenia has not applied. Our army is not even put on full alert
because the troops on the border are enough to repel attacks.”
Asked whether official Yerevan has taken a harder line in the context
of the Armenian president’s statement on Russian arms sales to
Azerbaijan, Mr Harutyunyan said:
“This is not a harder line, but concern. As ex-minister of defense I
understand that arms sales are inevitable. There is reality and one
should not apply ‘everyday standards’ to politics.”
Russia’s aims must be understood. Does it want Azerbaijan to gain
victory in Nagorno-Karabakh and to oust its ally and EEU member-state
from the region?
According to him, the states that sold arms to Azerbaijan will go on
doing so. Russia is well aware of the types of weapons it is selling
to Azerbaijan and of what weapons can be used against them.