Pentagon has no plans to halt Russian arms deal – officialJuly 19, 2013 - 11:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Pentagon has no plans to halt a $550 million deal with Russia to acquire helicopters for the Afghan Special Mission Wing, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday, July 18, according to RIA Novosti. In late June the Special US Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction urged the Pentagon to put the deal on hold until the unit was fully recruited and properly trained. “On the Mi-17 [helicopters], ... I support continuing on the path we are on,” JCS Chairman Martin Dempsey said. “To get the Afghans as capable as possible by the end of 2014. And that will require us to stay committed to that fleet.” There is no way we can transition at this point to give them anything other, he said. Responding to lawmakers’ criticism of the deal over Russian arms supplies to the Syrian government, Dempsey suggested that did not mean there could not be collaboration elsewhere: “There’s also plenty of places where we have common interests, and Afghanistan just happens to be one of those with Russia.” The Pentagon has bought 33 Mi-17 helicopters from Rosoboronexport, the state-run Russian arms exporter, since May 2011 and signed a contract for 30 more on June 17, in the face of fierce opposition from Congress. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |