AZERI DEFENSE MINISTRY PRESS SECRETARY: "IF WE FEEL THERE IS NO HOPE, WE WILL BEGIN WAR"March 17, 2005 - 10:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "The land is just about to escape from under Armenia's feed," Head of the Press Service of the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan Ramiz Melikov told 525 Baku newspaper. In his opinion, the correlation of the power at the international arena is changing in the favor of Azerbaijan. At the same time he noted that the potential of the talks is not used up yet. "If we feel there is not hope, we will begin a war," R. Melikov promised. Having accused the Armenian party in breaking the truce, the Press Secretary stated, "on the whole the success of the Azeri diplomacy in the matter of solving the Karabakh conflict makes Armenians angry and tense." As a result they try to demonstrate power and thus influence the talks, R. Melikov noted, reminding the PACE resolution adopted in January. "I think its second cause is connected with approaching April, when Armenians will mark the 90-th anniversary of the genocide." They get a psychosis this time each year, "the Armenian disease," known from medicine and inherent only in Armenians, exacerbates. Armenians want to demonstrate their power to the Azeri people and state. However, it is senseless," the Press Secretary stated. Referring to some military experts, Ramiz Melikov added "the activation of Armenians at the Aghdam and Terter directions is due to the front line lying close to Stepanakert at these stretches." "They expect danger at those segments and thus fire upon the positions of the Azeri army, try to take control of the strategic heights," Melikov stated, adding "today all crucial heights at the Aghdam and Terter directions are unfortunately keeps by Armenians." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | EU encourages Armenia to prioritize strategic projects The EU has encouraged Armenia to prioritize strategic projects, according to a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry. Some 100 detained as protesters, police clash in Yerevan Riot police fired stun grenades outside the Armenian parliament as they clashed with protesters. Exclusive access to all EURO 2024 games for Ucom subscribers This year once again Ucom stands as the primary partner of UEFA EURO 2024 in Armenia. Pashinyan congratulates Putin on Russia Day Nikol Pashinyan sent congratulatory messages to Vladimir Putin and Mikhail Mishustin on the occasion of Russia Day. |