BAKU: Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry: "The Announcement On Increase O

AZERBAIJAN’S DEFENSE MINISTRY: "THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON INCREASE OF ARMENIA’S MILITARY EXPENSES IS INTENDED FOR AN INTERNAL AUDIENCE"

Today.Az
politics/44969.html
May 14 2008
Azerbaijan

The announcement of the Armenian Defense Minister that the military
expenses will rise and reach level of the military budget of
Azerbaijan, is, in fact, intended for the internal audience.

The due announcement was made by spokesman for the Defense Ministry
of Azerbaijan Eldar Sabiroghlu, commenting on the announcement of
Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Oganyan about the plans to raise
military expenses.

He noted that the concerns of the Armenian military commans is quite
understandable.

"Let them raise the military expenses, if they can. This is their
internal matter. However, we should consider to what extend Oganyan’s
announcement is substantiated. The reality is quite different. Which
economic resources and development will Armenia be able to use to
raise the military expenses? It all creates doubts", said he.

At the same time, Sabiroghlu noted that in fact , the economic
situation in Armenia is in a poor state. According to him, the hard
economic situation obliged the Armenian people to go to streets during
the presidential elections.

The spokesman for the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan noted that
currently the government of Armenia cannot provide good conditions
either for people or for the army.

"Armenian militaries are not supplied with even minimal food ration. On
the basis of definite information I can say that in the last year
hundreds of soldiers deserted not being able to stand hunger. Or the
parents are sick and tired of carrying food to military parts for
their children", said Sabiroghlu.

According to him, the facts were reflected in the announcements of
the organization of soldiers’ mothers.

Sabiroghlu reminded that the overall state budget of Armenia equals
the military budget of Azerbaijan.

"Therefore, they should not deceive either their people or the
world society. Currently everything in the region works against
Armenia. Azerbaijan’s supremacy in the military sector is recognized
even by some Armenian experts. Oganyan makes hints on it in his
announcement", said Sabiroghlu.

http://www.today.az/news/