BAKU MAKES AMBIGUOUS STATEMENTS ON PARTICIPATION OF ARMENIAN MILITARY IN NATO CONFERENCE IN AZERBAIJANJune 10, 2004 - 19:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - There are no limitations for the Armenian delegation's participation in the NATO final conference on planning of the Cooperative Best Effort-2004 exercises, scheduled in Baku in the end of June, though it is not desirable. The Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan commented this way on the statement of the military leadership of Armenia on the intention to take part in the Baku conference. At that, as reported by Zerkalo Baku newspaper, the Press Service of the Ministry doubtes the Armenian party indeed intends to arrive in the Azeri capital, noting "Armenians wish to create a stir, nothing more." As of the response of Azeri politicians to the arrival of the Armenian military, according to the source, it appeared to be rather ambiguous. Thus, Chairman of the Organization for Karabakh Liberation Akif Nagi is flatly against it as before. "In case the Armenian military make an attempt to participate in the coming conference, our organization will hamper it in every possible way," he said. "The Azeri authorities do not have the right to betray the national interests of the country the for the sake of integration into the North Atlantic structures," Nagi stated. Head of the National Independence party Etibar Mamedov adheres to a similar posture. Meanwhile, in the opinion of Deputy Chairman of the National Front of Azerbaijan party Fuad Mustafayev, from the political point of view the arrival of the Armenian military in Baku is quite possible. He explained his opinion saying that programs of various international organizations provide for the participation of both the Armenian and the Azeri sides. Besides, he reminded, the meetings of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan have become regular. Deputy Chairman of the Musavat party Sulheddin Akber was more categorical. He stated Azerbaijan should fulfill the commitments assumed and should not hamper the holding of the measures planned beforehand. He called ridiculous the attempts of some forces that try to make obstacles on the way of realization of those measures, which had been adjusted in advance, Zerkalo newspaper reports. Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Partner news | U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |