Russians Do Not Rule Out Active Military Ops in So. Caucasus in 2005

RUSSIAN ANALYSTS DO NOT RULE OUT POSSIBILITY OF BEGINNING OF ACTIVE
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN NAGORNY KARABAKH, ABKHAZIA AND SOUTH OSSETIA IN
2005

YEREVAN, JANUARY 15. ARMINFO. Russian analysts do not rule out the
possibility of beginning of active military operations in Nagorny
Karabakh, Abkhazian and South Ossetia in 2005. It is said in the
article “Concerning the issue on military budgets of CIS states”,
published by a military analyst on the web site WPS. The data on
increase of the expenses for defence of CIS countries are indirect
confirmation of it.

According to the resource, the defence expenses of the majority of
post-soviet republics will increase by 30 and more per cents in
2005. If in average in CIS countries the GDP growth in 2004 was 7-9%,
then the military expenses increased in average by 30%.

Armenia ranks the second as regards the level of military expenses
from GDP – 3.6%. It should be noted that the data on expenses for
defence of Nagorny Karabakh are not included here. Though it is not a
secret that the army of defence of Nagorny Karabakh exists due to the
resources of Armenia. On the whole, in 2005 the military expenses of
Armenia for defence may make up over 4% out of GDP (i.e. over $127
mln).