BBC Monitoring Service, Turan News Agency,
17, January 2008

Quzanli, 17 January: The Armenians are wrong if they are thinking that they won the war [over Nagornyy Karabakh]. It is not over yet. Only the first stage of the war is over, President Ilham Aliyev said in his address to residents of Agdam District at the opening ceremony of an Olympic complex in the village of Quzanli today.

Aliyev noted that the Karabakh peace talks were currently going in a more favourable situation than before. Thus, if several years ago the liberation of only four [Armenian-] occupied districts [around Nagornyy Karabakh] was proposed, then now at issue are all the seven districts. This is all the result of Baku's firm position, support from the international community, and the economic development and strengthening of the military might of the country. True, this all does not suit Azerbaijan completely, but the talks are going in the right direction, Aliyev believes.

Touching upon the possible option of [conflict] resolution, Aliyev said that if Armenians were prudent, then one could talk about granting autonomy [to Karabakh Armenians], but independence is out of the question. "I want to think that the Armenian authorities will show prudence. Otherwise, the lands will be liberated using all opportunities available," Aliyev said.

[BBM note: A total of 70 per cent of Agdam District is under Armenian control; the district executive office is based in Quzanli village as the district centre is also under occupation]