January 15, 2003 - 18:40 AMT
KARABAKH DEFENSE ARMY READY TO REBUFF ANY AGGRESSION BY AZERBAIJAN
The recent infringement by an Azeri diversion and intelligence group upon the Nagorno Karabakh defense border can be rated as an attempt to check the readiness of the Karabakh army. Seyran Ohanian, the defense minister of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, told "Prometheus" TV company. In his words, the Karabakh defense army is ready to rebuff any aggression by Azerbaijan. "Baku estimates of the situation are correct, thus they do not launch hostilities," - S.Ohanian said. Speaking of the present situation in the conflict zone he noted, "the peace is relative there today." The minister emphasized that within 10 years a high level is attained in the military sphere. "We intend to make more efforts for the Nagorno Karabakh army to become more powerful and to be a bail of the people's security," - the NKR defense ministry head said.