YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The Istanbul-based Marmara newspaper reported that President Suleyman Demirel of Turkey referred to the country’s foreign and domestic problems when attending the celebrations of "The 80th Anniversary of Liberation of Van from Armenia’s" held in Van on April 2. Speaking about the newly elected president of Armenia–Robert Kocharian–Demirel said that "Armenia’s must return Azeri territories as soon as possible."
"If they are not insane–they will immediately pull back from these territories–since Turkey will never tolerate instability in the region," said the Turkish president.
"Turkey has shared both joy and grief with Azerbaijan–since 20 per cent of Azeri territories are being held by Armenia’s. We hope that Baku will hold a similar festival soon," said Demirel.
Diplomatic circles in Azerbaijan regard Demirel’s statement as the first serious warning addressed to Robert Kocharian and the new Armenian government.