Russia needs secure land transit to ArmeniaAugust 1, 2008 - 16:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia doesn't need a span of former Georgian SSR, because it's strategically useless, says an article titled "Western Transcaucasia: goals and ways to achieve them".However, according to the author, Russia can't put up with transformation of its neighbors' territory into a multipurpose anti-Russian platform. "It includes bases of separatists, laboratory of velvet resolutions, GUAM and home for NATO forces. Georgia has even left behind the Baltic States known for their Russophobia," he says. "Russia needs a secure, cheap and quality rest for its citizens in local resorts and delivery of agricultural production in compliance with Russian standards. It needs a land transit to Armenia, its only ally in the Transcaucasia, surrounded by hostile Azerbaijan, neutral Iran, NATO Turkey and NATO-aspired Georgia. Some U.S. officials offer to resolve the Karabakh problem though exchange of territories between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the latter being isolated from Iran. An air-bridge a-la Berlin is impossible, since Russia's transport aviation is weak. We should never forget about the 102nd base located in Armenia, which was reproached for 'not sufficient pro-Russian position'. However, living in permanent threat of blockade, our ally is holding on! No one knows how patient it can be. Furthermore, in case of U.S. aggression against Iran the issue of Iranian Azerbaijan will emerge and Armenia will one day face a united 20-million Azerbaijan," says the article published by Military-Industrial Courier (Voyenno-Promyshlenniy Kuryer). 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 | Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life, Strong Mind IDBank and Idram summarize the results of the May program of “The Power of One Dram”. Yerevan State University, Ucom sign Memorandum of Cooperation Rector of Yerevan State University Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian signed the memorandum. EU to provide budgetary support to Armenia The agreement is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the educational system of Armenia. Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. |