AZG Armenian Daily #093, 24/05/2005
Region
BASES OF BATUMI AND AKHALKALAK ARE OF NO STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
What’s the Meaning of Gyumri Base?
President Vladimir Putin of Russia stated yesterday that the military bases
of Georgia are not essential for Russia’s security. But, Putin says, it
would be desirable not to see bases of other states after the withdrawal of
Russian ones. According to Novosti agency, Putin said that those bases are
of no strategic importance for Russia and added, “This is not my opinion but
those from the Supreme Headquarters of Russian Armed Forces”.
Putin’s statement rises a question: if the bases of Georgia are not
important for Russia, then what’s the significance of Russian bases in
Armenia?