Interview with Azerbaijani military expert Vladimir Timoshenko, a lieutentant general (retired) in the air defence forces.
Q: According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia has supplied at least two S-300 missile defence systems to Armenia, although Moscow said earlier that the S-300 systems belonged to the Russian military base in Armenia and had not been transferred to Yerevan. Is this a surprise for Azerbaijan?
A: We also knew that this hardware was used by the Russian base in Gyumri, but two friendly countries can easily agree, as part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, that "an attack against Armenia is an attack against Russia", so it doesn't matter to whom this equipment belongs.
It's a fact that there are at least two S-300 missile defence systems in Armenian territory. If necessary, the parties can agree on their transfer to Armenia even over the phone, as once happened with the notorious 366th division of the former Soviet army which was transferred to Armenia. Some hardware units were dismantled, while the rest was sent to Armenia. We were seeking the complete disbanding of the division in parliament when I shouted that the 366th division had been transferred to Armenia. It really happened.
Q: The SIPRI report says that in the past five years Azerbaijan has increased arms imports by 323% compared to 2001-2005 and that Azerbaijan is now on the list of the 40 biggest importers of conventional weapons. What can you say about this?
A: This is all absolutely true and can be accepted. This information is in our favour, including that we are on the list of the biggest importers of conventional weapons. This is because we have no developed military and industrial base and we do not need one this size.
Today it is more profitable to buy than to create our own production, so we will continue purchasing. Arms purchasing is a sign of our potential. Furthermore, our supplies fully conform with the current situation in the region and the objectives facing Azerbaijan today. The interests of the homeland require the creation of worthy armed forces that will achieve the security objectives of our state.
This does not contradict anything at all.
Q: What response can be given to Armenia’s constant reproaches that the increasing purchase of arms by Azerbaijan contradicts international agreements on flank restrictions?
A: First of all, it is not for Armenia to judge whether we violate these agreements or not. This is for international organizations which have the right to conduct monitoring, record facts and so on, and we will answer all the questions. It is not difficult to understand Armenia. Considering their potential today, they cannot afford what Azerbaijan can. Their only hope is Russia. They are happy with everything Russia gives them. Once Russia gave them arms worth $1.2bn, while now the Armenians hope they will get some other piece from the Russian base, since it is not ruled out that the hardware from this military base will be transferred to the Armenians. Therefore, the Armenians can be understood as a party which is at war with us. Therefore, they always cry out in support of only a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
They are annoyed at Azerbaijan’s achievements, concerned at the rise in the price of oil and afraid of our potential to strengthen our defence capacity.
Leyla Tagiyeva
News.Az
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