Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 11 2005
`Armenia ready to match Azerbaijan’s military spending in 2005′ –
Armenian defense minister
Armenia is ready to spend no less on armament than Azerbaijan in
2005, says Armenian defense minister Serzh Sarkisian.
`We have heard for 10 years about Azerbaijan’s hopes to solve its
problems through considerable military budget and will hear this for
another decade.’
Sarkisian said that armament and army capabilities are inseparable
and require major financial investments. He said that upgrade of the
existing arms is under way, as this requires less spending than
acquiring new weapons.
Commenting on the possibility of compromises between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, Sarkisian said: `Some say that compromises are unacceptable,
but we must decide where we want to take our people, and whether we
want a new or everlasting war’.
The Armenian minister said that eternal war is an alternative and if
the entire Armenian people make such a decision, he would support it.
`I am not required to listen to just one or two people that are
authorized to speak but do not see far ahead. They should realize
that bragging does not mean expressing views.’
Sarkisian added that he does not believe that considering compromises
represents a defeatist approach.
Pundits say that Armenia, whose military budget is three times less
than that of Azerbaijan, again relies on Russia as a source of
funding for its armament.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress