Does Aliyev have army to back up his statements on military solution of Karabakh conflict?

February 21, 2011 - 20:48 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Recent incidents in Azeri army, Azeri servicemen’s killing his 7 fellow solders and casual handling of a grenade resulting in 5 soldiers’ injuries, prove that Azeri authorities could benefit more by addressing the issues in their own army, rather than finding fault with the army of their neighbors. Shifting the fault for the deaths of its soldiers on Armenia and Karabakh, the Azeri government won’t escape the severe reality. The situation in the Azeri army is alarming, to put it mildly. Besides being unbalanced, Azeri soldiers are not too good at handling the weapon, purchased by Azerbaijan in large quantities.

However, in spite of the alarming signs, Ilham Aliyev continues mentioning military resolution to Karabakh conflict. Is he still setting hopes on his army? Then he’d definitely benefit from international experts opinions, agreeing on the fact that the efficiency of the Azeri army leaves much to be desired.

Clearly, Azeri authorities’ spending huge funds on purchase and production of weapon prove they realize the weakness of their army. Azerbaijan plans on production of missiles and airbombs with Turkey and Pakistan, purchase of tanks from Ukraine. Still, many-millioned ammunition is hardly worth anything without a well-trained army.

Sooner or later, Baku will have to admit to being unable to form a real army and finally cease its meaningless military rhetoric.