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UZEIR JAFAROV: TODAY AZERBAIJANI ARMY IS READY TO LIBERATE ITS LANDS
Leyla Tagiyeva
news.az
Nov 26 2009
Azerbaijan
Uzeir Jafarov News.Az interview with military expert Uzeir Jafarov.
Before the Munich round of talks with his Armenian counterpart,
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated the possibility of a new
war to resolve the conflict. Do you think Azerbaijan is ready for
such a way to settle the problem?
This is a power of a president to make such statements as a supreme
commander, as person who is responsible for the territorial integrity
and security of the country. I perceive it calmly and normally
considering the fact that the negotiation process over Karabakh
has been ineffective for long years. Armenia attempts to protract
the conflict settlement and when it comes to agree on some important
moments, Armenian side makes up some reasons or sets some impracticable
provisions. I consider that the Azerbaijani side should put stiff
demands before the OSCE Minsk Group and the Armenian side that if
the negotiation process is not effective, we have a moral and legal
right to use the forced way of the conflict settlement. Our army is
not the same as it was in the 1990s. Today Azerbaijan has human and
material resources to ensure its territorial integrity.
How do you assess the state of the Armenian army?
It would be incorrect to say that Armenia has no army at all because
it knows that it is an aggressor and the time of revenge will come
when Azerbaijan will be able to use the forced way of this problem
settlement. Therefore, Armenia takes this into account. It understands
that the Azerbaijani army can settle this issue by any way. We are
really able to settle this issue. I am among those who criticize some
problems and shortcomings in our army, but I think today our army is
able to settle most issues. But we should not forget that the Armenian
army also does not stay idle. They have their plans to resist attacks.
We have never had real hostilities. We should take into account all
moments before taking a decision to launch hostilities. Such powerful
country as the United States faced no special problems in invading
Iraq. But it has been bearing losses every day since that period. Or
such powerful country as Russia also cannot settle the problem related
to the so-called illegal armed formations in the North Caucasus.
Therefore, we should not forget that the Armenian side also has
powers even insignificant. They have legal and illegal armament and
technique. It is no accident that the Armenian leadership and military
command have recently held a session with the military command of
the so-called "NKR". The officers have many problems and they face
great social difficulties. Meanwhile, the Armenian state budget for
2010 envisions a great amount - about $100 - 200 mln. This is too
high for the Armenian budget. Armenian officers understand that if
not for the so-called "Karabakh army", these funds could have been
used to improve social conditions of the Armenian officers.
Considering the fact that the Russian military base is dislocated
in Armenia, is it possible to say that it may be involved into the
conflict?
Russia will not risk the way it did in the early 1990s when the 366th
division led by cut-throat Yuri Zarvigorov committed massacres against
residents of Azerbaijani Khojaly. We should not forget that the 102nd
military base dislocated in Gumri is 70% comprised of the Armenian
ethnic that are the citizens of Russia. Anyway, they are of Armenian
origin but they may take even an indirect participation in case
hostilities are launched. But I can also say that the key to solution
of the Karabakh problem is in Russia. Considering the fact that Russia
always viewed Armenia as its closest ally and strategic partner and
these countries sign documents of military and political and military
and technical nature, perhaps, Russia will support Armenia in any way.
Our occupied lands would be released in a week if Russia orders so.
Armenia has no power and will to hold our native lands under occupation
for so much time.
How much time will the full liberation of lands take in case Azerbaijan
decides to liberate its lands by way of force, attaining Russia's
guarantees of non-interference?
I don't want to call terms. But I would like to note that our human
and material resources are sufficient to liberate our lands within a
definite period of time. We do not claim for a centimeter of someone's
land. We need to restore our territorial integrity. This right is
fixed in four resolutions of the UN Security Council. We have a legal
and moral right to restore our territorial integrity. Certainly,
we should not forget Russia's factor, it will hardly stay aside in
case military actions are launched. But Russia should also not forget
about international law according to which the territorial integrity
should be respected.
In the same statement President Aliyev said the contact line of the
armed forces is weakening from the Armenian side in the light of the
mass migration of population from this country. Will this factor give
real advantages to the Azerbaijani side?
In 2001 we, as part of a group of international journalists from the
OSCE, visited Armenia and spoke to simple Armenians at Yerevan's
streets and, frankly speaking, native Armenians have no special
intentions about Karabakh. They openly resent over the fact that
Armenia is now led by Karabakh natives and people who came to
power due to the Karabakh war. They understand that time will come
to revenge and they will have to respond before the people and the
world community and, especially Azerbaijan, whose 20% lands are under
occupation now. We heard from the Armenian citizens that they do not
need Karabakh at all but the smeary policy of separatists and leaders
and persons escalating tensions in the region played its role here.
This is a business of arms, drugs, preparation of international
terrorists for them. The uncontrolled areas have always been a
favorable ground for development of such elements. I think serious
situation is growing in Armenia. And I fear the only thing. When the
settlement of the Karabakh problem was nearing a final part, there was
mass shooting in the Armenian parliament. And I am afraid something
similar may happen and Armenia may say it has internal problems and
needs time to stabilize the situation.
Leyla Tagiyeva
news.az
Nov 26 2009
Azerbaijan
Uzeir Jafarov News.Az interview with military expert Uzeir Jafarov.
Before the Munich round of talks with his Armenian counterpart,
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated the possibility of a new
war to resolve the conflict. Do you think Azerbaijan is ready for
such a way to settle the problem?
This is a power of a president to make such statements as a supreme
commander, as person who is responsible for the territorial integrity
and security of the country. I perceive it calmly and normally
considering the fact that the negotiation process over Karabakh
has been ineffective for long years. Armenia attempts to protract
the conflict settlement and when it comes to agree on some important
moments, Armenian side makes up some reasons or sets some impracticable
provisions. I consider that the Azerbaijani side should put stiff
demands before the OSCE Minsk Group and the Armenian side that if
the negotiation process is not effective, we have a moral and legal
right to use the forced way of the conflict settlement. Our army is
not the same as it was in the 1990s. Today Azerbaijan has human and
material resources to ensure its territorial integrity.
How do you assess the state of the Armenian army?
It would be incorrect to say that Armenia has no army at all because
it knows that it is an aggressor and the time of revenge will come
when Azerbaijan will be able to use the forced way of this problem
settlement. Therefore, Armenia takes this into account. It understands
that the Azerbaijani army can settle this issue by any way. We are
really able to settle this issue. I am among those who criticize some
problems and shortcomings in our army, but I think today our army is
able to settle most issues. But we should not forget that the Armenian
army also does not stay idle. They have their plans to resist attacks.
We have never had real hostilities. We should take into account all
moments before taking a decision to launch hostilities. Such powerful
country as the United States faced no special problems in invading
Iraq. But it has been bearing losses every day since that period. Or
such powerful country as Russia also cannot settle the problem related
to the so-called illegal armed formations in the North Caucasus.
Therefore, we should not forget that the Armenian side also has
powers even insignificant. They have legal and illegal armament and
technique. It is no accident that the Armenian leadership and military
command have recently held a session with the military command of
the so-called "NKR". The officers have many problems and they face
great social difficulties. Meanwhile, the Armenian state budget for
2010 envisions a great amount - about $100 - 200 mln. This is too
high for the Armenian budget. Armenian officers understand that if
not for the so-called "Karabakh army", these funds could have been
used to improve social conditions of the Armenian officers.
Considering the fact that the Russian military base is dislocated
in Armenia, is it possible to say that it may be involved into the
conflict?
Russia will not risk the way it did in the early 1990s when the 366th
division led by cut-throat Yuri Zarvigorov committed massacres against
residents of Azerbaijani Khojaly. We should not forget that the 102nd
military base dislocated in Gumri is 70% comprised of the Armenian
ethnic that are the citizens of Russia. Anyway, they are of Armenian
origin but they may take even an indirect participation in case
hostilities are launched. But I can also say that the key to solution
of the Karabakh problem is in Russia. Considering the fact that Russia
always viewed Armenia as its closest ally and strategic partner and
these countries sign documents of military and political and military
and technical nature, perhaps, Russia will support Armenia in any way.
Our occupied lands would be released in a week if Russia orders so.
Armenia has no power and will to hold our native lands under occupation
for so much time.
How much time will the full liberation of lands take in case Azerbaijan
decides to liberate its lands by way of force, attaining Russia's
guarantees of non-interference?
I don't want to call terms. But I would like to note that our human
and material resources are sufficient to liberate our lands within a
definite period of time. We do not claim for a centimeter of someone's
land. We need to restore our territorial integrity. This right is
fixed in four resolutions of the UN Security Council. We have a legal
and moral right to restore our territorial integrity. Certainly,
we should not forget Russia's factor, it will hardly stay aside in
case military actions are launched. But Russia should also not forget
about international law according to which the territorial integrity
should be respected.
In the same statement President Aliyev said the contact line of the
armed forces is weakening from the Armenian side in the light of the
mass migration of population from this country. Will this factor give
real advantages to the Azerbaijani side?
In 2001 we, as part of a group of international journalists from the
OSCE, visited Armenia and spoke to simple Armenians at Yerevan's
streets and, frankly speaking, native Armenians have no special
intentions about Karabakh. They openly resent over the fact that
Armenia is now led by Karabakh natives and people who came to
power due to the Karabakh war. They understand that time will come
to revenge and they will have to respond before the people and the
world community and, especially Azerbaijan, whose 20% lands are under
occupation now. We heard from the Armenian citizens that they do not
need Karabakh at all but the smeary policy of separatists and leaders
and persons escalating tensions in the region played its role here.
This is a business of arms, drugs, preparation of international
terrorists for them. The uncontrolled areas have always been a
favorable ground for development of such elements. I think serious
situation is growing in Armenia. And I fear the only thing. When the
settlement of the Karabakh problem was nearing a final part, there was
mass shooting in the Armenian parliament. And I am afraid something
similar may happen and Armenia may say it has internal problems and
needs time to stabilize the situation.