Are we ready for a second Karabakh war?

[CatWoman]

Azerbaijan's Military Budget To Double In 2006

Agence France Presse
Sept 8 2005

Azerbaijan will double military spending in 2006 to $600 million (480 million euros), President Ilham Aliyev said Thursday.

He also warned Armenia that Azerbaijan's armed forces were capable of re-taking by force Nagorny Karabakh, a territory inside Azerbaijan but currently controlled by Armenia.

"The unconstructive position of Armenia makes it impossible to make progress with the talks. But, for the moment, we hope that a peaceful solution is possible", Aliyev said during a regional visit to Lenkaran, near the Iranian border.

"At the same time, we are reinforcing our military potential. And if defense spending in 2004 was 270 million dollars; in 2005, 300 million; in 2006 it will equal $600 million," he said.

"The enemy must know that our army is always able to regain the territory by military force," Aliyev said.

The enclave of Nagorny Karabakh, inhabited today by some 145,000 Armenians and supported by Yerevan, won its de facto independence from Azerbaijan through a 1988-1994 war that killed 25,000 people and displaced one million.

Unrecognized by Azerbaijan, which considered the region to be under Armenian occupation since the 1994 ceasefire, Karabakh's status has yet to be settled.

[winoman]

This is of course an issue for long term concern (and is not new - or should be no surprise) - however Aliev's statments at this time are patently absurd...

[Dave]

During an interview with a Turkish newspaper, he said that there won't be a war anytime soon.

His patriotic comments in Azerbaijan are meant to attract Azerbaijani voters.

[skhara]

I can't believe my eyes. We actually have a topic here.

These little doggies have been barking for quit some time.

Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh are now armed to the teeth. We wiped the floor with them when they had all the advatages. When they had the airforce, the tanks, the artillery, the armoured personel cariers. What makes them think that they stand a hope or prayer against now an entrenched, highly disciplied, highly motivated, highly spirited enemy that is armed to the teeth?

The only concern for the Karabakh Armenians would be the temporary damage that the Azeri missles may cause, but they would ultimately loose any engagement.

His patriotic comments in Azerbaijan are meant to attract Azerbaijani voters.

Are the Azeris really that stupid?? Wait, don't answer that .
I guess they haven't caught onto the fact that if they really coul "take back their land any time" they would have attempted it already.

[CatWoman]

Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh are now armed to the teeth. We wiped the floor with them when they had all the advatages. When they had the airforce, the tanks, the artillery, the armoured personel cariers. What makes them think that they stand a hope or prayer against now an entrenched, highly disciplied, highly motivated, highly spirited enemy that is armed to the teeth?

In case of a war, Karabakh alone won't be able to defend itself. It's gonna need Armenia's help... Its people can be armed to the teeth, but that doesn't mean we will get the same outcome this time with Azerbaijan spending $600 million on it's military! After all, they got oil...


BTW does anyone know what our military budget is?

[TomServo]

Aliyev and Aliyev: Delusions of Grandeur. Now open.

[skhara]

In case of a war, Karabakh alone won't be able to defend itself. It's gonna need Armenia's help... Its people can be armed to the teeth, but that doesn't mean we will get the same outcome this time with Azerbaijan spending $600 million on it's military! After all, they got oil...


BTW does anyone know what our military budget is?

Armenia never directly was involved. Armenia of coarse would help just like she had before, but Karabakh is very capable at inflicting massive damage to any Azeri invasion.

Azerbaijan can spend all the amount it wants, and they will lose all that they spend. They will never, ever, have the kind of imbalance that existed in 1991 - 1992.

Iwas born in and lived the first part of my life in Baku. In the late 80s my family basically became refugees. I remember during this time that Karabakh was heating up. I remember there was talk of an all-out war and I remember my father having very little concern as he simply said "These turks can't fight."

So don't worry, have some confidence. Besides, do you really think that Russia or Iran would allow a power imbalance in the Caucasus? They wouldn't do it one way or the other.

[TomServo]

I think we make Azerbaijan feel too important. They're small potatoes.

[CatWoman]

I think we make Azerbaijan feel too important. They're small potatoes.

Small fried potatoes in OIL...

Why couldn't they be mashed? lol

[TomServo]

Oil will run out, and then only Allah can save them.