Azerbaijan says Russian arms transfer to Armenia to cause tension

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
1 Jun 05

[Presenter] That one of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia,
transfers weapons from its bases in Georgia to Armenia, the aggressor
country, has a negative impact on the peaceful settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. In the view of the [Azerbaijani] Defence
Ministry, this process will make the military and political situation
tense not only in the region, but in the world as a whole. The USA
have a similar position.

[Correspondent over video of the radar station, Russian troops in
Georgia] The Baku government may review the agreement on leasing
the Qabala radar station to Russia as a result of the redeployment
of the Russian military bases from Georgia to Armenia. Russian news
agencies report this. Quoting a source in the Azerbaijani government,
they say that the Azerbaijani authorities will soon demand that Moscow
close down the radar station.

We want to build relations of friendship and cooperation with
Russia. However, the recent steps taken by Moscow make us think once
again. It appears to us that Russia is deliberately heightening the
tension in relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the source said.

A member of the US Senate has made a similar statement. Russia’s
reinforcing its bases in Armenia poses a serious threat to the region,
a visiting US senator and member of the Foreign Relations Committee
of the Senate, Chuck Hagel, has said.

[Hagel, captioned, speaking at a press conference with Azeri
voice-over] It is good news that Russia has agreed to withdraw its
bases from Georgia. I congratulate Russia and Georgia on reaching this
agreement. However, it would cause a lot of concern if the weapons
and equipment are to be redeployed from Georgia to Armenia.

Azerbaijan and Armenia are independent countries and there should
be no foreign forces on their territories. This step is especially
dangerous for the region.

Yet, I see this as a positive step [as heard]. I hope that the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict will be resolved and the settlement of this issue
requires Russian assistance.

[Correspondent] The first train with Russian weapons and equipment
headed from its military base in Batumi to Armenia yesterday [31
June]. The 15 carriages of the train delivered the arms to the military
base in Gyumri [Armenia].

[Passage omitted: The number of the Russian troops in Georgia]