STEPANAKERT–In an interview published recently–Samvel Babayan–Defense Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic answered questions about the future of the republic and the possibility of resumed hostilities in the region.
Asked about his opinion on another period of hostilities–Babayan said–that the reality is that Azerbaijan’s stance at the negotiations is not constructive–mediators’ proposals on the conflict settlement are inadmissible for Karabakh and that the Karabakh version is not acceptable for Azerbaijan.
Babayan went on saying that Baku is waiting that Karabakh’s position after the presidential polls in country may be altered–"but we are not going to renounce our goals. We have already made enough compromise–now it is Azerbaijan’s turn. But Azerbaijan is going to have presidential elections next year–and before that any concession on their part is not likely," said the defense minister.
According to Babayan–the deadlock of the situation may force the sides into conflict again–and therefore–in his opinion "the probability of war is rather high. We are ready for that."
The complete interview will be published in the Weekend Edition of Asbarez.
