Armenian Defence Minister Downplays Tension On Border With Azerbaija

ARMENIAN DEFENCE MINISTER DOWNPLAYS TENSION ON BORDER WITH AZERBAIJAN

ArmInfo, Armenia
Sept 10 2007

The forthcoming large-scale exercises in the breakaway region of
Nagornyy Karabakh are regular ones, Armenian Defence Minister Mikael
Harutyunyan told Arminfo news agency today. Harutyunyan told Arminfo
that the exercises aim at increasing the fighting efficiency of the
Nagornyy Karabakh army to counter an attack if it takes place.

Harutyunyan said that reports concerning the situation on
Armenian-Azerbaijani border often aim at artificial build-up of
tension, Arminfo reports. According to Arminfo, Harutyunyan said
that the number of clashes on the border has not increased, but on
the contrary has declined by 40 per cent.

The minister also declined rumours that Iranian mercenaries serve in
Nagornyy Karabakh army, Arminfo reports.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS