RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN JAVAKHETIA GEORGIAN REGION FIRST OF ALL GUARANTEE OF LOCAL ARMENIAN SECURITYFebruary 17, 2003 - 21:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The issue of withdrawal of the Russian military base from Javakhetia region of Georgia, mostly populated by Armenians, is recently exaggerated by Georgian statesmen, who at the same time express official Tbilisi readiness to employ locals working at the base. As reported by "A-Info" agency, in the opinion of co-chair of "Kolokol" party functioning in Akhalkalaki Mels Torosian, Georgian authorities wish only to mark the social and economic significance of the Russian military base for Javakhetia. Meanwhile, as noted by Torosian, the Russian military base is first of all physical security guarantee for Javakhetia Armenians. As to the Georgian authorities' pledge to employ locals working at the military base, M.Torosian noted that if the state had wished to create workplaces in Akhalkalaki, it could have done that for the over 50 unemployed residents of the region. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |