“It is hard to give a simple estimate to the reliability of forecasts on the possibility of finding a solution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem. I hope some progress will be fixed and in 2006 hostilities will not resume. More precise answer can be given after the meeting of Armenian President Robert Kocharian with Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev,” RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan stated in an interview with Golos Armenii newspaper. “We must seriously treat the negotiation process, since we are really interested in the peaceful settlement of the conflict. It does not mean that we anchor hopes with a peaceful solution only and do not build strong barriers against Azerbaijan’s military machines. It would be naïve to suppose that even if Azerbaijan wished to solve the problem peacefully it would not use its possibilities to strengthen the army and replenish armament. It is not a secret that presently Azerbaijan possesses greater financial means and these possibilities will be used if not for resumption of hostilities so for exerting pressure upon the negotiation process and threatening the Armenian side. I have many times stated that even if Azerbaijan multiplies its military budget by five it cannot force us take a decision conflicting with interests of our people,” Serge Sargsyan stated.
The RA MOD head added that in 2005 Armenia considerable replenished its armament. “It’s not the case to announce figures. I can only say that the number is equal to that obtained during recent ten years,” Sargsyan noted. At that he voiced doubt over the comparison of the Azerbaijani military budget with the Armenian state budget. “It is impossible,” he said. “Money has never been a guarantee for the efficiency of the army. It is true that our military budget does not satisfy all our needs in corpore but it is enough to maintain the efficiency of the army and to prove on the battlefield that mechanical increase of military budget does not anything in itself,” Serge Sargsyan stated.
As for reproaches addressed to him as regards Armenia’s readiness for compromise, the RA Defense Minister said he treats them calmly. “Those who voice reproaches of the kind today had plenty of chances to make sure I have never done anything conflicting with the interests of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. I am convinced that most of the Armenian population know that I am far from the idea of ceding land but people should understand that peace costs much and war cannot be a factor of positive development. Nagorno Karabakh cannot be under jurisdiction of Azerbaijan. Armenia’s compromise does not exceed this axiom Thus I would advise not to hurry with reproaches over our readiness to compromise,” the Armenian Defense Minister stated.
