Armenian commander: Azeri military rhetoric meant for 'local audience'

PanARMENIAN.Net - Baku’s anti-Armenian and anti-Karabakh rhetoric is mostly meant for “internal use”; however, Armenians must be prepared for a possible war, a special unit commander said.

Commenting on the Armenian government’s decision to provide the 102nd Russian military base with additional areas (at Yerevan’s Erebuni military aerodrome as well as Gyumri), Vladimir Vardanov characterized the decision as a reasonable one, as the existing space was too small for a 5000-strong military base in Gyumri.

According to a political analyst Levon Shirinyan, with Russia aiming to establish strong presence, Moscow will be cooperating with all of its allies including Armenia.

“To counter the Turkey-posed threat and promote national safety, Armenia’s political leadership resolved to provide additional territory for expansion and modernization of the Russian military base.”

“At present, Moscow, Yerevan and Tehran are in the process of forging geopolitical cooperation,” the expert concluded.