Artsrun Khanjyan “Center for Public Relations and Information” Availability of distinct information about enemy’s armed forces and particularly about weapons of mass destruction is very important in military and political conflicts. This research aims to clarify issues of disposal of biological weapons1 by Azerbaijan and their possible use. 1. Soviet heritage and current situation Over the Soviet period Azerbaijan’s anti-plague infrastructures constituted a part of the anti-plague system of the USSR. This all-Union system included 6 institutes, 29 regional anti-plague stations and 53 field anti-plague stations. The term “plague” in the aforementioned system is used in its broad sense and includes even more dangerous contagious diseases such as anthrax, brucellosis, bubonic plague, Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever and tularemia. According to “Jane’s Information Group” – organization working in the US2 - since 1960 separate units of the Soviet anti-plague system had collaborated with the Ministry of Defence of the USSR within the programmes on elaboration of biological weapons. According to the same Jane’s center the vaccine manufacturing facilities that were constructed as part of the Soviet anti-plague system in Azerbaijan had dual-use capabilities (peaceful and military). After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan restructured its anti-plague system which had been working since 1963. Currently it is composed of three units – the Laboratory Department, the Epidemiological Department, and the Zooparasitological Department. As of July 2010, the Azerbaijani anti-plague system had some 400 employees, including about an equal number of physicians, laboratory technicians, and auxiliary personnel3. In September 2005 the American “Chicago Tribune” published article “U.S. gets pathogens from ex-Soviet republic” by Jeff Zeleny. “BAKU, Azerbaijan — More than 60 dangerous and deadly bacterial strains that are a legacy of the former Soviet Union's elaborate biological weapons program were transferred Friday to the United States from Azerbaijan as part of the two countries' joint fight against the threat of biological terrorism. Copies of the strains, including bacteria that cause plague and anthrax, left Baku aboard a U.S. military aircraft in a mission cloaked in secrecy. The pathogens were scheduled to arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware by Saturday, officials said, and government scientists will begin their analysis next week in Washington” 4. Form the publication of “The Nuclear Threat Initiative”5 organization it becomes clear that in September 2005, 124 samples of 62 unique strains of causative agents of plague, anthrax, cholera, and other dangerous diseases were transported from Baku to the U.S. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC, where the strains will be studied jointly by U.S. DOD and Azerbaijan medical researchers. There are some additional details in the publication of Azerbaijani “Ekho” newspaper6. The newspaper, partially referring to “Chicago Tribune”, informed that the Azerbaijani authorities transferred more than 60 strains of causative agents of bacteriological weapons to the US. Transferring of those strains became possible due to the visit of the US senator Richard Lugar to Azerbaijan. Lugar stated that the results of the researches would be important in the war on terrorism and protection from biological attacks. It is underlined that the strains received from Azerbaijan can help in clarifying the details of the biological attack in the US four years ago. The causative agents from Azerbaijan were secretly delivered to the airport were they were passed to the representative of the U.S. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology for its transportation to the United States. The strains were firstly taken to US Air Base in Germany and after that they were transported to the US. The representatives of the security agencies of Azerbaijan considered the facts revealed rather suspicious, stating that they knew nothing about it7. After that Azerbaijani “Turan” agency applied to the US Embassy in Azerbaijan to clarify situation. In reply the representative of the embassy confirmed the fact of transferring strains and stated that the transfer was carried out within the framework of the Agreement on Preventing Proliferation of Biological Weapons. The embassy representative also found it necessary to add that the US government confirmed that Azerbaijan had no biological weapons. The causative agents passed to the US were obtained from natural, diseased carriers. But those causative agents could be used for the creation of biological weapons. According to the International Social and Ecological Union8 Richard Lugar told the journalists that the agreement on transferring strains from Azerbaijan to the US was reached as a result of negotiations with Ilham Aliyev. Lugar called it a systematized example directed against proliferation of biological weapons. Within the framework of that cooperation the US will support Azerbaijan in improving security of the Central Laboratory of Infections. Alongside, the Azerbaijani specialists will be given an opportunity to undergo a study course in the United States. A serious question concerning the issue of Azerbaijan’s possession of biological weapons is asked in the publication of the International Social and Ecological Union9: “Independent Azerbaijan in principle cannot have biological weapons. But for one “but” – the partition of the USSR property, including military property, between Russia and Azerbaijan took place in troublesome times. And transferring of 124 strains to the US, in fact, might mean betraying Russian military-biological secrets… Isn’t this an example of behind-the-scene political trade?” According to anther publication10 of 2005 “the strains from Azerbaijan, along with the agreement reached late last year with the government of nearby Georgia, allows U.S. scientists to learn more about the Soviet-era biological weapons program”. 2. Doesn’t Azerbaijan possess biological weapons? Various official statements underline – “Azerbaijan has no biological weapons” (representative of the US embassy to Azerbaijan)11, “There are no proofs that Baku has biological weapons” or “is pursuing biological weapons capabilities” (“Nuclear threat initiative”)12. Sometimes, alongside with the aforementioned, it is stated that the deadly microorganisms which are possessed by Azerbaijan “may be used for the production of the biological weapons” (representative of the US embassy in Azerbaijan)13. At the same time it is accepted that over the Soviet period Azerbaijan’s anti-plague system laboratories had dual-use capabilities (Jane’s Information Group)14. This should be supplemented by the fact that the Azerbaijani specialists have recently been undergoing study courses in the American high-class virology institutions. Some people also take into consideration the fact that “the partition of the USSR property, including military property, between Russia and Azerbaijan took place in troublesome times” (International Social and Ecological Union)15 and that under such conditions it was actually possible to obtain or preserve everything, including weapons of mass destruction. Anyway, the fact that today Azerbaijan has at its disposal strains of at least 62 deadly pathogens is unchallengeable. Now, let us try to understand people who say that Azerbaijan possesses microorganisms, which are the basis of the biological weapons, but it does not have the biological weapons. The logic, most probably, is the following: biological weapons are spread by means of missiles with special war heads, artillery shells and air bombs and they have not been found in Azerbaijan, and correspondingly, Azerbaijan does not possess biological weapons. But the adherents of such a classical approach to the means used in armed conflicts leave out the fact that the usage of the biological weapons is not restricted to the aforementioned means. There are also other means16 such as envelopes, parcels, containers with causative agents, releasing infected insects from the planes, sabotage, etc. Let us bring some example presented on the web: “In some cases the enemy may leave infected everyday objects, such as cloths, food, cigarettes, etc. with a purpose to spread the disease. In this case people may get infected after direct contact with these objects. It is also possible to deliberately leave infected people during the retreat so that they would turn into a source of infection for the army and population” 17. Hence, rather absurd situation is formed – Azerbaijan does not possess biological weapons judicially, but in fact it is capable of using it without any special military devices (missiles with special war heads, artillery shell and air bombs). The following information presented by BBC on October 30, 2001, which is presented here according to the material of “Azg” daily is also interesting in the light of the issue considered: “Yesterday BBC broadcast that the emissaries of Bin Laden – world number one terrorist and the leader of “Al Quaida” which organized terrorist attacks in New York and Washington in 2001 – tried to buy from Heidar Aliyev chemical and biological weapons. BBC does not clarified whether Bin Laden managed to buy chemical and biological weapons or not”18. As you can see the parties of the deal and the subjects are known but not the result. The following fact which was made public by other source can also be remarkable: “Following the 1998 embassy bombings, Azerbaijan came under increased U.S. pressure to curtail radical lslamist activity on its territory. However, Azerbaijan refused to hand over suspected terrorists to the U.S., so as not to "earn the ire of Islamist fundamentalists," extraditing them instead to their native countries. One of the extradited terrorism suspects, Ahmad Salam Mabrouk, who at the time headed the local branch of AI Qaeda, was detained while trying to acquire chemical and biological weapons in Azerbaijan”19. It would be appropriate to remember the observation-caution of the head the strategic planning service of the Association for Cross-Border Cooperation Aleksandr Sobyanin: “In bi-polar world there were psychological obstacles not only in regard of nuclear but also biological weapons”. According to him these obstacles are “broken”: a number of countries have initiated development of the biological weapons. “The mechanisms of control do not work; nation states simply disregard them”20. Sometimes international community becomes aware of separate items of information about separate cases of interstate trade of non-conventional arms. Though the governments of the western countries are very cautious in selling new types of weapons to other states, nevertheless, such obstacles are not insurmountable for possible buyers. In this regard a cable from U.S. Ambassador in Azerbaijan published by WikiLeaks which particularly states: “Through its close relations with Israel, Azerbaijan gets a level of access to the quality weapon systems it needs to develop its army that it can not obtain from the U.S. and Europe due to various legal limitations, nor from its ex-Soviet suppliers, Belarus and Ukraine”21. According to the same source Azerbaijan buys from Israel artillery, munitions, communication equipment as well as different types of rocket artillery. This is just a separate piece of information about import of weapons by Azerbaijan and it is not suffice for getting a comprehensive idea of the range of the weapons bought by Azerbaijan but it is suffice enough to understand the logics of the process. In our opinion, the information on biological weapons in Azerbaijan can be partially supplemented by drawing parallels with near-by Georgia, as the latter is also a heir to the same Soviet stores. There is some information about Georgia which was presented to the world and which we will try to present here briefly. According to the publication of "Noratert" from August 11, 2011 "Georgia is creating biological weapons: Why?" "It became known to the French journalists that International Veterinarian Office has information, according to which Georgia is involved in the creation of various viruses on its territory under cover of preventing proliferation of biological weapons program. Bulgarian News Network (BNN) website informs that causative agents of cholera and their identification methods are researched by the US (U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, USAMRIID, Fort Detrik) and Georgian (Tbilisi bacterium carrier, microbiology and virology Institute) microbiologists and virologists: U.S. and Georgian scientists' cooperation gives an opportunity not only for investigation of certain strains, but also creates conditions for developing of genetic transformation methods for the most pathogenic bacterias for their later use as a biological weapon... It is notable that within the framework of the joint research discussion Georgian side's general partner is USAMRIID - an institution, which particularly studies the possibilities of using microorganisms as biological weapons... As a rule, the major powers avoid creation of dangerous laboratories on their territory and prefer to use the third countries for that purpose. The experts say that this project could serve for purely military purposes as well"22. The similar information is contained in the "Biological weapons against Javakhq?" article placed on "Armenia-Artsakh" website on May 31, 201123. In connection with discussed issues it is necessary to take into account that international and bilateral agreements on non–using of biological weapons signed by Azerbaijan cannot serve as a sufficient guarantee for neighboring countries. It would not be justified within the framework of the issues discussed to rely on a country that has constantly violated all possible international norms and obligations from its nationalist and invasive positions. It is also impossible to ignore the genocide culture, psychology and traditions which are historically dominant for that country's population. The fact that Azerbaijan has not used weapons of mass destruction can only be explained by purely practical reasons, such as fear of receiving a response, negative attitude of superpowers towards the facts of such weapons' use by other states, threat of international sanctions, etc. In other words, the situation is not favorable for taking extraordinary steps. However, the situation is not frozen and it is not always predictable. 3. "Big brother" factor Taking into account current situation of military and political fusion of Azerbaijan and Turkey, military capabilities of these countries just can not be separated from each other in the discussion of the military issues concerning Armenia (i.e. the Republic of Armenia and Republic of Artsakh). For these reasons let's make a short review of Turkey's possession of weapons of mass destruction. Many sources have repeatedly referred to the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Turkey and the facts of their certain types' use. Thus, the web site of the Center for the Study of Globalization24 reports that former NATO Secretary General George Robertson confirmed that Turkey has at its disposal nuclear weapons produced in the United States. Turkey, which is in the U.S. coalition against Iran, has some 90 B61 thermonuclear bombs at its military base at Incirlik as well as capacities of delivering them to target. At the same time, explicit calls are heard in Turkey for the necessity of starting to produce its own nuclear weapons. For example, according to the Turkish Parliament (Grand National Assembly) deputy Haluk Ozdalga Turkey must initiate a thoughtful and comprehensive plan for nuclear technology. This plan, according to the deputy, should be directed to the development of skills necessary for production of nuclear weapons of their own. According to the same public figure Turkey should expand the radius of action of its guided missiles25. Besides the fact of nuclear weapons’ possession by Turkey and obvious plans for their further development, there is also threat that Turkey may spread these weapons. Canadian "Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility" company reveals26 the facts that Turkey delivered materials necessary for the creation of nuclear bomb to Pakistan. Different media have also reported about the fact of chemical weapons' use against Kurds in Turkey27. There is also remarkable information that chemical and biological weapons brought to Turkey by smuggling can possibly be used for terrorist actions against Russian and U.S embassies28. The presented situation of anarchy concerning the problem of possession, use and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in Turkey causes concerns about the prospects of further Turkey-Azerbaijan joint actions (openly or concealed). 4. Anti-Armenian propaganda Under the conditions when there is information and actual facts concerning possession of biological weapons by Azerbaijan, it is not surprising that Azerbaijan constantly accuses Armenia in having and using biological weapons. It is not surprising, as it is Turkish-Azerbaijani traditional style of action, which can be witnessed in all areas (historical and cultural awareness, Khojalu "genocide", the cease-fire violations, etc.). For example, in 1992 Azerbaijan complained to the UN Security Council Secretary, stating that the Armenians used chemical weapons against them29. On June 19, 1992 the Secretary General sent the international team of experts: the investigation resulted in denial of Azerbaijani allegations. Other examples: “the Armenians have plans to turn large Azerbaijani territories in the direction of Nakhchivan and Ganja into cemeteries by using bacteriological weapons containing anthrax in the case of an outbreak of hostilities”30. A certain Rovshan Navruzoglu Yunus Oguz accuses Republic of Artsakh in all possible crimes including terrorism, drug production and transportation, burning of nuclear waste, having of children and women prisoners trade centers, ecological and spiritual terrorism, terrorists trianing camps, being an intermediate link for transition of weapons of mass destruction, and, of course, biological and chemical research centers for military purposes31. It is clear that Azerbaijan regularly participates in various international events against the possession, use and proliferation of biological weapons, where it presents its "great efforts" for proper fulfillment of the international and bilateral obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan . 5. Conclusion In formal and legal sense Azerbaijan does not have biological weapons, but in practice it possesses necessary facilities to carry out a mass infection of people by pathogenic microorganisms. 1 The damage effect of biological weapons is based on the pathogen peculiarities of causative agents – microorganisms of human, animal and vegetative diseases (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.). Alongside with the term “biological weapons” as a synonym “bacteriological weapons” term is often used. But biological weapons have a broader sense, because besides bacteria the viruses, fungi, etc. can be used. In modern sources “biological weapons” term prevails. 2 http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-CBRN-Assessments/Proliferation-Azerbaijan.html 3 Ibid. 4“U.S. gets pathogens from ex-Soviet republic” by Jeff Zeleny, “Chicago Tribune”, September 03, 2005, http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-09-03/news/0509030224_1_soviet-republics-pathogens-strains, http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-CBRN-Assessments/Proliferation-Azerbaijan.html 5The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/azerbaijan/ 6 http://www.regnum.ru/news/511973.html 7 Ibid http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/azerbaijan-denies-transferring-bioweapons-to-us/ 8 http://www.seu.ru/members/ucs/chemwar/2005/752.htm 9 Ibid 10“Secret Flight Brings Deadly Ex-Soviet Germs To US”, By Jeff Zeleny,Chicago Tribune correspondent http://www.rense.com/general67/secret.htm 11http://www.regnum.ru/news/511973.htm 12 http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/azerbaijan/ 13 http://www.regnum.ru/news/511973.htm 14 http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-CBRN-Assessments/Proliferation-Azerbaijan.html 15 http://www.seu.ru/members/ucs/chemwar/2005/752.htm 16 http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C1%E8%EE%EB%EE%E3%E8%F7%E5%F1%EA%EE%E5_%EE%F0%F3%E6%E8%E5 17 Ibid 18“Azg” daily, issue 198, 31.10.2001. “Bin Laden tried to get chemical and biological weapons from Heidar Aliyev” (in Armenian)http://azg.am/AM/2001103107 19(“Aviation Week & Space Technology” 10/12/98; Agence “France Presse” 3/18/99; London's “Sunday Times” 7/18/99; “Zerkalo” 7/22/00; “Ekho” 8/29/01). “Azerbaijan and International Terrorist Networks” http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1436994/posts Note: The investigation of bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 traced to Baku (see, e.g. http://www.ng.ru/cis/2001-09-05/5_terrorism.html): 20 http://www.tert.am/am/news/2008/01/05/fluscience/ 21 http://kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2010/12/16/13148.shtml 22 http://noratert.am/news/id/7127.html 23 http://www.armar.am/?p=60653 24“Europe's Five "Undeclared Nuclear Weapons States", by Prof. Michel Chossudovsky http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=17550, http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article17195.html 25“Yoday’s Zaman”, “Nuclear weapons” by Haluk Özdalga, 29 January 2012, http://www.todayszaman.com/news-269859-nuclear-weaponsby-haluk-ozdalga*.html 26Turkey and Nuclear Weapons Proliferation, http://www.cnp.ca/issues/turkey-nuclear-background.html 27“Turkey: A long history of chemical weapons use against the Kurds” http://kurdistancommentary.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/turkey-a-long-history-of-chemical-weapons-use-against-the-kurds/ “???????? ????????????? ??????? ??????????? ??????”http://agrimaykop.ucoz.com/news/raskryto_ispolzovanie_turciej_khimicheskogo_oruzhija/2011-08-30-780 “German military and secret service expert Erich Schmidt-Eenboom says chemical weapons could have been used”, 9.11.2011http://ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/11/turkey3552.htm Dr. Jan van Aken, Member of the German Bundestag, Berlin, 30.11.2011. “On the possible use of chemical weapons by the Turkishmilitary”.http://www.jan-van-aken.de/files/chemiewaffen_t__rkei_eng.pdf 28?????????? ???? ???????? ????????????????? http://nuclearno.ru/text.asp?3461 29 http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2002_04/tuczilapril02 30Office of Communication of Azerbaijan http://ocaz.eu/destruction-devastation-in-azerbaijan-occupied-by-armenia.html 31Rovshan Novruzoglu Yunus Oguz, “Karabakh: uncontrolled zone.” http://www.erevangala500.com/uploads/pdf/1323818338.pdf “Globus” analytical journal, # 4, 2012

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