Azerbaijan's 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 the disputed Armenian-majority enclave.

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.   

(with material from AFP)

MORE: To read an interview with the new U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group on prospects for resolving the Karabakh crisis, click here.