ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 16, 2005 Wednesday
RF presence in Caucasus necessary to ensure stability – deputy
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
Russia’s presence in the Caucasus is necessary to ensure stability in
the region, Democratic Party leader Aram Sarkisyan said.
Sarkisyan told Itar-Tass on Wednesday Russia’s presence in the
Caucasus, including the military one, “will ensure stability in this
region of the world.”
“The necessity of Russia’s presence in the Caucasus, including the
military one, is linked with the geopolitical situation. We consider
Russia’s base in Armenia one of the forms of ensuring security of the
country,” he said.
“To decide on the presence of a foreign military base is a sovereign
right of every state. But it would be reasonable to refrain from
withdrawing Russia’s bases from the territory of Georgia,” Sarkisyan
said.
“Moreover, the military base in Akhalkalaki ensures stability in this
Armenian-populated region and makes it possible to solve social
problems. That is why it is necessary to think thousand times before
deciding on the withdrawal of Russia’s military bases from Georgia’s
territory,” the Armenian parliamentarian said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress