February 12, 2002 - 22:39 AMT
IRANI DEFENSE MINISTER VISIT TO YEREVAN TO TAKE PLACE IN MARCH
Irani defense minister Ali Shamhani will arrive in Armenia in March. It should be pointed out that his visit was expected February 10, but it was delayed because of weighty matters connected with the situation in the country after Bush's speech. It should be reminded that the statement of the US President «Iran is included in the list of the countries forming axis of evil and threatening America and the whole civilized world», was taken in Iran as a beginning of a large anti-Irani campaign that might result in military operation. According to Armenian experts, the issues regarding the official Yerevan's position in the case of the US military operations against Iran will be considered in the course of the talks between Ali Shamhani and political and military leadership of Armenia. It is stated in official reports that in the course of the visit, the perspectives of regional and bilateral cooperation as well as the possibility of partnership in the sphere of security and defense are expected to be considered.