RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN JAVAKHETIA GEORGIAN REGION FIRST OF ALL GUARANTEE OF LOCAL ARMENIAN SECURITYFebruary 17, 2003 - 21:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The issue of withdrawal of the Russian military base from Javakhetia region of Georgia, mostly populated by Armenians, is recently exaggerated by Georgian statesmen, who at the same time express official Tbilisi readiness to employ locals working at the base. As reported by "A-Info" agency, in the opinion of co-chair of "Kolokol" party functioning in Akhalkalaki Mels Torosian, Georgian authorities wish only to mark the social and economic significance of the Russian military base for Javakhetia. Meanwhile, as noted by Torosian, the Russian military base is first of all physical security guarantee for Javakhetia Armenians. As to the Georgian authorities' pledge to employ locals working at the military base, M.Torosian noted that if the state had wished to create workplaces in Akhalkalaki, it could have done that for the over 50 unemployed residents of the region. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. |