December 12, 2007 - 18:25 AMT
Vahram Atanesyan: Araz Azimov's imagination boundless
Araz Azimov's imagination went beyond all accessible norms, said Vahram Atanesyan, chairman of the NKR NA committee on external affairs.

"The Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister, as if aping the Minister of Defense, said an 'anti-terrorist' operation should be targeted at PKK bases. It's at least surprising that statements by a top official coincide with recent publications of some Turkish media. This fact prompts that these reports were fabricated by Azeri special forces aiming to add tension to the complicated Armenian-Turkish relations and to compel Ankara to take a tougher stand on the Karabakh settlement," he said. "Instead of spending time on irresponsible statements, Azimov had better elucidate the public on numerous reports about unprecedented activation of the Kurdish factor in Nakhijevan and Geranboy region."

"These reports seem to be true. Presently, Geranboy includes Shahumyan region of NKR, which was occupied in 1992 and is still under control of the Azeri forces. Once inhabited by Armenians, now this region can serve as a base for Kurdish militants.

"Developing the version of existence of Kurdish bases in NKR, the Azeri authorities attempt to mislead the international community, including Turkey. It's also noteworthy that Kurdish rebels were supplied with armament via Azerbaijan. Furthermore, leader of the Kurdish movement Mustafa Barzani used to live in Azeri Lenkoran in 1940-ies. So, we can advise Mr Azimov to search for Kurdiosh militants in Azerbaijan and carry out operation there," he said, KarabakhOpen reports.

December 10, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told reporters in Baku that his country "is ready for an anti-terrorist operation" in Nagorno Karabakh.