YEREVAN, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Secretary of the RA National Security Council Arthur Baghdasarian does not believe that the June 18 sabotage action on the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact may break down the negotiations and cause resumption of war. "I do not support artificial rumors circulating in our society that war is imminent and so on. On the contrary, I condemn such statements. We should realize that we live in a difficult region, we have an unresolved conflict, which means that as long as relative peace lasts, our armed forces must be prepared to repel any aggression," he said at the June 25 press conference held in connection with his second year in office. Baghdasarian underlined that Armenia is committed to continuing peace negotiations. "I also consider it inadmissible and reprehensible when a side negotiates on the one hand and resorts to provocations on the other. We have repeatedly said that our armed forces are sufficiently combat-ready," he stated, adding that Armenia is prepared for any scenario of developments. Armenia should do everything possible to raise the overall level of security and continue the peace negotiations. Arthur Baghdasarian said that the efforts of Armenia's political leadership are aimed at ensuring peace in the region and a fair resolution of the Karabakh problem. It means clarification of Nagorno Karabakh’s status - either independent Karabakh or its re-unification with Armenia; a direct link between Armenia and Karabakh; and international security guarantees for Karabakh.

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