YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The Georgian "Dilis Gazeti" newspaper published article entitled "Azerbaijan again fears Armenia." The article quotes Azerbaijan’s presidential advisor Vafa Guluzade as saying that "official Baku does not rule out that Armenia may use "Typhoon" systems purchased from China against Baku-Supsa oil pipeline." In an interview with the Georgian Prime News agency–Guluzade said that the western route of oil transportation is in real danger as those systems with a range of about 80 km may easily reach the oil pipeline from Azeri territories occupied by Armenian forces. According to Guluzade–Beijing may be willing to "unfold" new oil routes and transport oil through Afghanistan and China.
The Azeri MPA news agency said that commenting on Armenia-based Chinese embassy’s denial of arms shipmen’s to Armenia–Vafa Guluzade said the fact had been confirmed by the Chinese embassy in Azerbaijan and that was enough. According to him–the Ambassador of China to Azerbaijan alleges that the systems had been supplied by a private company linked to the Chinese defense ministry. "It will be acceptable for Azerbaijan if China recalls ‘Typhoons’ and continues to deny arms shipmen’s," Guluzade said.
A balance of forces has been upset in the region and this may lead to undesirable consequences–Guluzade stressed.
Azerbaijani sources also report about opinions of politicians about Guluzade’s statemen’s. According to member of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan Yusif Bagirzade–China supplied weaponry to Armenia through Russia’s assistance. Baku should immediately apply to UN and other international agencies. In violation of the balance of forces in the region–Moscow is willing to involve other countries in this process. According to him–Azerbaijan should revise its relations with Russia and China.
According to member of the Azerbaijani parliament Mubariz Gurbanly–China’s actions must be strongly condemned as it is a member of the UN Security Council. These actions are in line with Russia’s aspiration to upset the balance of forces in the region and must be given a proper assessment. The main reason–according to Gurbanly–is Turkey’s rapprochement with Uyghurs: China which broke off relations with countries which recognized independence of Taiwan–is now willing to hinder the rapprochement between Ankara and Urumchi. This is why Beijing and Moscow supply arms to Armenia – Turkey’s arch-enemy. Gurbanly is confident that if China does not take back its rockets–Baku will revise its relations with Beijing.
