President Aliyev says Karabakh talks 'hopeless'

Aliyev made the comment today during a graduation ceremony of cadets in Baku at Azerbaijan's supreme military academy.

He said Azerbaijan was ready only to negotiate the restoration of its sovereignty over Nagorno Karabakh.

The failure of international mediation, the Azerbaijani leader said, was forcing him to change policy. He said Azerbaijan would retake Nagorno Karabakh by whatever means it takes.

Aliyev warned Armenia that he would use Azerbaijan's rapildy expanding oil wealth to strengthen the armed forces.

/www.rferl.org/