BAKU: Ilham Aliyev: "The War Has Not Ended Yet, It Is Just Its First

ILHAM ALIYEV: "THE WAR HAS NOT ENDED YET, IT IS JUST ITS FIRST STAGE THAT HAS FINISHED"

Today, Azerbaijan
Jan 17 2008

"Armenians state that they have won the war. But it is not right.

The war has not ended yet, it is just its first stage that has finished
and during which Armenians managed to occupy a part of Azerbaijani
lands with the help from abroad", President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
said during the opening ceremony of the Olympic complex in Agdam.

"We are establishing a strong state, strengthening the army and
the economic potential for release of the occupied lands: regional
positions of Azerbaijan are consolidating, energy policy is successful,
which have a positive influence on the negotiation process.

Previously Armenians demanded independence of Nagorno Garabagh,
while now they understand that Garabagh will never be independent or
annexed to Armenia".

The President noted that this is the opinion of the whole international
community, including the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group and
Armenia has to confess it.

The President said that previously the discussed was the release of
only 4 occupied regions around Garabagh, while now the co-chairmen
demand from the leadership of Armenia to return all the 7 regions,
which is really a great success.

Commenting on the recent proposals of the co-chairs on the Garabagh
conflict settlement, the President noted that they are not fully
suitable for Azerbaijan.

"Several moments are inadmissible for us, but, on the whole, the
process continues in the right direction. We have achieved this by
strengthening our potential and Armenia is aware of it".

Ilham Aliyev expressed regret that such negative events as the attempts
to turn the former autonomous republics into independent countries
are observed in the world, which is inadmissible.

"Therefore, only a strong state may reach justice. Time is working
on us and I want the future peaceful agreement to fully correspond to
our interests, which is not observed right now. And for this purpose
we are continuing talks. Azerbaijan’s position is changeless and our
territorial integrity will never be a subject of discussions"

URL:

http://www.today.az/news/politics/42407.html