Expert: Azerbaijan would be too naïve to expect easy victory over Armenia and NKRJuly 2, 2008 - 15:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijan would be too naïve to expect an easy victory over Armenia and NKR, a Russian expert said."It's quite another matter what can be understood by saying victory. If Azerbaijan succeeds in gaining control over the seized territories, it can be described as a small victory, which will, however, never bring peace and stability to the region" said Sergei Markedonov, head of the inter-ethnic department at the institute of political and military analysis. "Moreover, in case of resumption of hostilities, Azerbaijan will lose all advantages it gained in relations with the EU and U.S. Azerbaijan has been building its image as a country subjected to aggression and occupation for many years. Launching military operations, Baku will smash this image into smithereens in no time," he said. "Azeri leaders are not ready to join the 'axis of evil' yet. Azerbaijan experiences problems not only with the U.S. and Europe but with Iran as well. In an attempt to resolve the Karabakh problem by use of force, this country will suffer irreparable losses. Victory in a blitzkrieg is vague; loses from a large-scale war are obvious. However, sounding paradoxically, armament race between Yerevan and Baku can be a stabilizing factor." "No one will dare to launch a war, knowing that the opposite side possesses both weapons of war and information," he concluded, Gazeta.ru reports. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |