Russia's quitting CFE can result in increase of Russian military contingent in South Caucasus

PanARMENIAN.Net - "Georgia is interested in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, since it indirectly explains its position on withdrawal of military bases by the Istanbul agreements of 1999. It also uses it as a propagandistic and juridical resource against Russian presence in Abkhazia," expert of the Caucasus Media Institute Sergei Minasian said at "The Militarization of the South Caucasus" conference.



Armenia stands for the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe for restraining the regional armament race, he noted.



Minasian considers that the only regional state interested in CFE collapse is Azerbaijan, which is rapidly militarizing and speaks of a military resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

"Russia's quitting the CFE may result in increasing of Russian military presence in the South Caucasus, specifically in Armenia, via replenishing the armament of the 102nd base," the Armenian expert said.



At that he underscored that further armament race will influence on Azerbaijan's aggressive possibilities in case of resumption of hostilities in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict region. "If the conflicting side is aware of thousands of casualties and huge expenses it will have to think much before waging war," he said.



July 14, 2007 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an edict on suspending Russia's participation in the CFE and some agreements and protocols linked to it.