Artsakh Rules Out Us Troops' Deployment

[Siamanto]

Artsax rules out US troops' deployment at Armenian-controlled Azeri lands

 

Hayastani Hanrapetutyun, Yerevan

3 Nov 04

 

 

Hanrapetutyun headlined "We will defend every inch of land"

 

Speaking to journalists about his thoughts on current military and

political developments in the region, the defence minister of the

Nagornyy Artsax Republic [NKR], Seyran Oganyan, has said that given

the existing military and political realities, the negotiations on the

Artsax issue suggest a simple option: always to have a strong and

combat-capable army. "This is a very significant state process, and

not only the military, but entire society should be interested in

implementing it," the defence minister stressed.

 

At the same time, Oganyan expressed his concern about frequent

bellicose statements by Azerbaijani officials. The cease-fire has been

in force since May 1994 and the enemy that cannot agree with its

defeat has been making a stir, he added. Oganyan described statements

of this kind as "a result of short-sightedness or at best poor

knowledge of details of the Artsax issue". We have the strong army

and the people at its rear, he said.

 

"I think it is necessary to note that 99 per cent of the personnel

during the last exercises were conscripts. This testifies to the fact

that people are ready to fulfil their obligations relevantly not only

during military exercises, but in case of any danger too...[ellipsis

as published]."

 

"We are ready to confront any attempt...[ellipsis as published]," the

minister added.

 

Asked whether a report by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, which

allegedly said that "talks are being conducted on the deployment of

the US troops at the liberated territories [Azerbaijan's occupied

territories] bordering Artsax", was true, the minister said: "I

realize that they, particularly, mean Cabrayil, Zangilan, Qubadli and

other districts. I should say that Baku's claim is absolutely

groundless. We are in full control of the aforesaid territories.

Incidentally, quite a strong defence system has been established in

this sector. We have military units with relevant combat readiness

and we will stay there to the bitter end".

 

"I would even say that we will defend every inch of the land, where we

have shed blood, to the bitter end," the NKR defence minister added

 

 

http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg96341.html