`THE CAUCASUS IS OF GROWING IMPORTANCE FOR OUR INTERESTS’

Azg
4 March 05

General James Jones, supreme allied commander of U.S. Armed Forces in
Europe, stated about the growing importance of the Caucasus region for
the United States. Mediamax informed that James Jones said about that
during his report on the European Commander’s Issues at The Committee
of Armed Forces’ Affairs at U.S. Congress.

General Jones stated that “the global war against terrorism,
instability in Africa, in the Eastern Europe and Caucasus, enlargement
and modification of NATO make U.S. Commanders in Europe continue
modification not only for the implementation of its traditional
mission but also for withstanding the disastrous threats directed
against our security.”

“Though ethnic conflicts tear apart Caucasus, corruption and criminals
are everywhere in this region, essential progress in democracy was
fixed in some of its regions. The South Caucasus is of growing
importance for us. Its air corridor became `path of life’ for the
coalition forces in Afghanistan and between our military stations in
Europe. The Caspian oil being transferred through the South Caucasus
can secure the 25% of the world oil production’sgrowth, while the
energy carriers of the Caspian region will allow to diversify the
energy providing sources of Europe. This region is a geographical
crossroadfor spreading democracy and free market economy in the
Central and South Eastern Asia,” Jones stated.

General Jones also stated that the commanders of U.S. Armed Forces in
Europe and the commanders of special actions elaborate a new program
“On Location of Permanent and Rotation Forces in the South of
Europe”. ” The location of the land, air and military Naval forces
from the South of the Alps will contribute to the mutual compatibility
and training, as well as to our capacity to response the crisis in the
Caucasus and Africa,” Jones said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress