ARMENIA ADVOCATES AGREEMENT ON IGLA, STRELA SYSTEMS

RIA Novosti, Russia
Nov 12 2004

YEREVAN, November 12 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – The
Armenian government advocates signing of the agreement on exchange of
information between the CIS member states on sold (handed over) and
acquired Igla and Strela anti-aircraft defense systems, RIA Novosti
learned from the Armenian government’s PR and press department.

In September 2003 CIS heads of state endorsed and adopted at the Yalta
summit decisions on measures to control sale of portable anti-aircraft
defense systems like Igla and Strela within the Commonwealth of
Independent States, as proposed by the Russian Defense Ministry
and taking into account the results of the G8 Evian summit in June
2003. Then Turkmenistan was the only country not to sign the agreement
referring to its neutral status.

“Everyone understands how dangerous the weapons are and that they are
already used by all kinds of terrorists,” Russian Defense Minister
Sergei Ivanov emphasized then.

Every CIS member undertakes to inform others about exports and imports
of the systems, as well as to provide information about systems it has,
he explained.

The authorized body from the Russian side is the Defense Ministry’s
committee for military and technical cooperation.

The work on the decision was intensive, but hard, the minister
pointed out. At first Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan had objects,
but later were convinced in the need to take the decision, which is in
line with interests of all states in the fight against international
terrorism. The minister believes the decision is a great accomplishment
of the CIS Yalta summit.