Tweet
Azeri president announces 30-per-cent increase in military spending for 2005
ANS TV, Baku
7 Dec 04
[Presenter] Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev today chaired an
expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the outcome of
2004. Despite his positive assessment of the government's performance,
the president took sideswipes at some government officials.
[Correspondent, over video of meeting] Military spendings will be
increased by nearly 30 per cent next year; if necessary, we can
increase them by 50, 100 and even 200 per cent in the years to come
as Azerbaijan's economic potential allows this, the head of state
told the meeting on the outcome of 2004 with the government members
in attendance. No one, including Armenia which has occupied our lands,
can compete with us in this regard, he said. Armenia's budget is only
500m dollars now, while Azerbaijan's military spendings are nearly
250m dollars. We will increase this amount until our occupied lands
are liberated. After that, we will have to maintain our army on a
very high level and strengthen it, end quote.
The president said that Azerbaijan's territorial integrity must be
restored. The head of state stressed that the 2004 economic indices
were successful. The speedy integration into the world community,
the expansion of relations with all countries and the successful
implementation of big regional projects have considerably strengthened
Azerbaijan's position in international organizations and the region,
Aliyev said.
This factor has also had a role to play in getting a stronger
support by the world community for Azerbaijan's fair position on the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and increasing positive trends in the peace
negotiations. The unconditional restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity remains the main principle of the talks, the president added.
The members of the government informed of the activities of their
ministries and forecasts for the next year. Speaking highly about the
government's work, the head of state delivered a rebuke as well. He
touched upon the cases of government officials sorting out their
disputes.
[Aliyev, captioned, shown speaking at meeting] In some cases
the government members meddle in issues they have nothing to do
with. Everyone is responsible for and should deal with his sphere. It
is natural if anybody has rebukes or suggestions. There are appropriate
conditions to express these rebukes and suggestions, [there are]
the Cabinet of Ministers, the prime minister, the presidential
administration and the president. Each member of the government may
have his own opinion on any sphere. But it should not mean washing
dirty linen in public in an indecent way. I disapprove of it. I
dislike it. Generally speaking, it is against our work principles.
Every member of the government, each minister and each official should
perform his duties in good faith and dignity and professionally. That
is all. A member of the government is an official, not a politician. If
anyone wants to be a politician, it is his own business. But an
official should mind his own business. I reiterate, I do not think
some other tribunes or other forums are appropriate places to utter
feedback to each other or each other's work. No, they are not. I
reiterate that I am dissatisfied with these incidents and naturally it
causes counter-reaction. Some pursue an open or hidden fight against
the other in certain cases by involving some media outlets. If you
want to fight, there is a legal way, which means quitting [government]
and joining politics. There is no tragedy here. This way is open for
anyone who wants. If anyone wants to deal with politics, let them do
so. Let us see how they will deal.
Rasad Isgandarov for ANS.
ANS TV, Baku
7 Dec 04
[Presenter] Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev today chaired an
expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the outcome of
2004. Despite his positive assessment of the government's performance,
the president took sideswipes at some government officials.
[Correspondent, over video of meeting] Military spendings will be
increased by nearly 30 per cent next year; if necessary, we can
increase them by 50, 100 and even 200 per cent in the years to come
as Azerbaijan's economic potential allows this, the head of state
told the meeting on the outcome of 2004 with the government members
in attendance. No one, including Armenia which has occupied our lands,
can compete with us in this regard, he said. Armenia's budget is only
500m dollars now, while Azerbaijan's military spendings are nearly
250m dollars. We will increase this amount until our occupied lands
are liberated. After that, we will have to maintain our army on a
very high level and strengthen it, end quote.
The president said that Azerbaijan's territorial integrity must be
restored. The head of state stressed that the 2004 economic indices
were successful. The speedy integration into the world community,
the expansion of relations with all countries and the successful
implementation of big regional projects have considerably strengthened
Azerbaijan's position in international organizations and the region,
Aliyev said.
This factor has also had a role to play in getting a stronger
support by the world community for Azerbaijan's fair position on the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and increasing positive trends in the peace
negotiations. The unconditional restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity remains the main principle of the talks, the president added.
The members of the government informed of the activities of their
ministries and forecasts for the next year. Speaking highly about the
government's work, the head of state delivered a rebuke as well. He
touched upon the cases of government officials sorting out their
disputes.
[Aliyev, captioned, shown speaking at meeting] In some cases
the government members meddle in issues they have nothing to do
with. Everyone is responsible for and should deal with his sphere. It
is natural if anybody has rebukes or suggestions. There are appropriate
conditions to express these rebukes and suggestions, [there are]
the Cabinet of Ministers, the prime minister, the presidential
administration and the president. Each member of the government may
have his own opinion on any sphere. But it should not mean washing
dirty linen in public in an indecent way. I disapprove of it. I
dislike it. Generally speaking, it is against our work principles.
Every member of the government, each minister and each official should
perform his duties in good faith and dignity and professionally. That
is all. A member of the government is an official, not a politician. If
anyone wants to be a politician, it is his own business. But an
official should mind his own business. I reiterate, I do not think
some other tribunes or other forums are appropriate places to utter
feedback to each other or each other's work. No, they are not. I
reiterate that I am dissatisfied with these incidents and naturally it
causes counter-reaction. Some pursue an open or hidden fight against
the other in certain cases by involving some media outlets. If you
want to fight, there is a legal way, which means quitting [government]
and joining politics. There is no tragedy here. This way is open for
anyone who wants. If anyone wants to deal with politics, let them do
so. Let us see how they will deal.
Rasad Isgandarov for ANS.