Azernews.Az

YEREVAN – Armenian retired servicemen reportedly plan to hold a military parade next May in Khankandi, the center of the self-proclaimed republic run by ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan’s occupied Nagorno Karabakh region.

An activist of the international group comprising retired Armenian servicemen was quoted by Russia’s Regnum news agency as saying that preparations were underway to draw to the event former Armenian servicemen living in a number of countries, including Russia, France, the United States, Italy, Lebanon, Uruguay, Argentina and Ukraine.

"Our strategic goal is to set up a real army, and if necessary, to form armed forces of the Armenian diaspora," said the activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

He noted that the diaspora’s reserve currently includes some 47,000 people.

He also said that work was underway to raise money for a special fund to be spent on warfare, armament and drawing conscripts.

"$92.3 million has been raised so far, but we believe this is not enough. The diaspora has a greater potential," the activist claimed.

Regnum reported earlier that as negotiations on settling the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh are gaining momentum, the Armenian diaspora worldwide has launched preparations for a fresh war. Major ethnic Armenian businessmen from Russia, France, the United States and Uruguay have reportedly set up control centers to mobilize retired servicemen and war veterans who could be flown to the conflict zone through Iran if hostilities resume with Azerbaijan.

Armenia and Azerbaijan waged a brutal war which claimed some 30,000 lives and displaced about a million Azerbaijanis. The armed conflict, which flared up due to Armenia’s territorial claims, ended with the signing of a fragile cease-fire in 1994. About 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory has been under the occupation of the Armenian armed forces since then. Peace talks have been largely fruitless so far. Sporadic clashes on the frontline continue.