ARMENIA EXPECTS FOR EXPLANATIONS FROM NATO LEADERSHIP
Maybe it is time to think about the further participation of Armenia in the «Partnership for Peace» program.
Servicemen representing Armenia were not allowed to participate in the conference on planning of military maneuvers «Cooperative Best Effort - 2004» to be held in Azerbaijan within the frames of the «Partnership for Peace» NATO program. The provoking behavior of Azerbaijani authorities, which regardless of all the international norms impeded the arrival of the Armenian delegation, was rather predictable. What is surprising is the tolerance of the leadership of the North Atlantic Alliance towards such a scandalous matter.
The NATO commandership did not apply the necessary forces to prevent this illegality. This will undoubtedly affect the further relations between the Armenian authorities and the leadership of the alliance. In fact, the participation of Armenia in the «Partnership for Peace» program was threatened. It turns out that Yerevan has no possibility to participate in the projects connected with strengthening of regional security. If this continues in the future, it will be necessary to think about the advisability of the formal participation of Armenia in the program. If the organizers of the international forum were not able to provide equality between all the participants, it is the problem of the NATO commandership. The Defense Minister of Armenia received the invitation for the conference directly from the representatives of NATO commandership, from whom he expects an answer. Up to now no explanation has been received from Brussels concerning the discrimination demonstrated towards the Armenian delegation.
Armenia has always expressed its disagreement with the fact that the maneuvers are held in Azerbaijan. However, Yerevan was not against, counting on the principality of the NATO commanding and the common sense of the Azerbaijani authorities. But there is no basis to hope that during the upcoming months the situation will change and the Armenian soldiers will have the possibility to participate in the maneuvers. So, Yerevan has the right to raise the issue on revising the country where the maneuvers will be held. We shall remind that the Deputy Minister of Defense of Armenia Arthur Aghabekyan has already said once that in case if Azerbaijan tries to hinder to participation of the Armenian servicemen, the official Yerevan would insist on changing the place. It's worth noting that recently a high-ranking representative of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said in an interview with "Echo" newspaper, Baku, that the country's authorities understand the consequences of their refusal to accept the Armenian delegation. «Yerevan will get use of Baku's unwillingness to receive the Armenian servicemen. Now Armenia will make a statement about changing the place of holding the NATO maneuvers. Armenians will try to insist on holding them on the territory of a third country,» an Azerbaijani military commander said asking not to mention his name. «Now we have to wait for the negative reaction of the NATO leadership towards the Azerbaijani authorities. This incident will affect the international image of the country...». So, it becomes evident that Baku was deliberately initiating this confrontation, being aware of all the possible consequences.
Armenia has always expressed its disagreement with the fact that the maneuvers are held in Azerbaijan. However, Yerevan was not against, counting on the principality of the NATO commanding and the common sense of the Azerbaijani authorities. But there is no basis to hope that during the upcoming months the situation will change and the Armenian soldiers will have the possibility to participate in the maneuvers. So, Yerevan has the right to raise the issue on revising the country where the maneuvers will be held. We shall remind that the Deputy Minister of Defense of Armenia Arthur Aghabekyan has already said once that in case if Azerbaijan tries to hinder to participation of the Armenian servicemen, the official Yerevan would insist on changing the place. It's worth noting that recently a high-ranking representative of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said in an interview with "Echo" newspaper, Baku, that the country's authorities understand the consequences of their refusal to accept the Armenian delegation. «Yerevan will get use of Baku's unwillingness to receive the Armenian servicemen. Now Armenia will make a statement about changing the place of holding the NATO maneuvers. Armenians will try to insist on holding them on the territory of a third country,» an Azerbaijani military commander said asking not to mention his name. «Now we have to wait for the negative reaction of the NATO leadership towards the Azerbaijani authorities. This incident will affect the international image of the country...». So, it becomes evident that Baku was deliberately initiating this confrontation, being aware of all the possible consequences.
