LEVITIN: CLOSED BORDER
Azg/am
16 Oct 04
Armenians Suffering Because of Russia’s “Anti-Terrorism” Actions in
South Ossetia
Igor Levitin, co-chairman of Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental
Commission on Economic Cooperation and Russia’s transport minister,
stated at the October 14 press conference that the Russian-Georgian
border will remain closed 30-40 more days. He said that Russia takes
measure for an effective anti-terrorism fight.
Levitin noted that the Russian-Armenian trade potential is not fully
used because of Georgia’s non-constructive policy. After a joint
press conference with Armenia’s defense minister, Levitin suggested
that Armenia may transfer its goods via Astrakhan and Enzel Iranian
harbor in Caspian Sea, then via Agarak-Meghri-Kajaran land route,
till Upper Lars remains closed.
Levitin also underscored that this route is more preferable to the
Upper Lars crossing point from economic point of view. “We should only
arrange with the Iranian side on several issues”, he said. Armenian
companies engaged in good conveying think that the Iranian route
will cost demand additional $1000-2000 for each truck. Besides,
Meghri-Kajaran route like Upper Lars becomes impassable for
transportation.
Russia’s transport minister emphasized that Upper Lars hasnâ^À^Ùt
closed for ever, and if there are more car congestion in the coming
weeks they will have to take up necessary measures. Levitin meant the
opening of the crossing point for a day allowing trucks and people
cross the border.
Levitin noted that civilians shouldn’t suffer as a result of
anti-terrorism activities.
Russians suggest Armenians crowded at Upper Lars to use Inner
Chamarag crossing point of the Russian-South Ossetian border. But
the Georgian side keeps declaring that it doesn’t recognize South
Ossetian checkpoint.
Later Tbilisi send a green light to Armenian vehicles to cross the
border at the South Ossetian site, suggesting meanwhile to find other
ways to cross the border and no to rely on Inner Chamarag crossing
point. It has been few days today that people are again crowded at
border. 100 citizens of Armenia are in uncertainty, Regnum news agency
informs. There are at least 12 children 4 of whom were send to the
Tskhinvali’s hospital. Eduard Kokoyti, president of South Ossetia
visited Armenians yesterday.
Georgian press writes that Russia intended to set Georgia and Armenia
against each other by sending Armenian citizens to the South Ossetian
border.
“Russian side told us that the border will remain closed for a while
and suggested the South Ossetian route. Armenia and Georgia alike are
against this route as the situation there is so wobbly that we cannot
secure our goods. Then Ilyichevsk’s and Astrakhan-Iran-Meghri-Kajaran
routes were suggested”, MP Andranik Margarian told Haykakan Zhamanak
in an interview.
Poti-Novorisiysk sea route has also been unavailable since September
12. Russia reason the harbor closing by a cargo ship repair. The
repair was supposed to take only 2 weeks but the harbor remains closed
today and will allegedly open on October 18.
On October 14 Levitin left for Azerbaijan and then to Georgia where
he is going to talk authorities into opening of the railway. Russian
minister was so confident speaking of the Abkhazia-Armenia-Azerbaijan
railway opening as though he was unaware of the conflicts battering
the region. He didn’t forget to mention of the high level of
Russian-Armenian relations.
By Tatoul Hakobian