IVANOV: STATIONING OF RUSSIAN MILITARY EQUIPMENT IN ARMENIA CANNOT BREAK MILITARY-POLITICAL STABILITY IN THE REGION

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 31 2006

“Russia’s small amount of military equipment, mainly military
property withdrawn from the military base in Georgia is taken to
Russian military base in Gumru, Armenia.

This cannot violate military and political stability in the region.

Russia does not show incompliance with the commitments undertaken under
the contract on restriction of military forces in Europe,” Russia’s
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told a news conference following the
meeting of the CIS Board of Defense Ministers in Baku today. He gave
this answer to the question whether there is a guarantee that the
military equipment stationed in Armenia after being withdrawn from
Georgia won’t be used against Azerbaijan (APA).

“Main part of the military equipment, including heavy equipment is
taken to Russia through Azerbaijan,” said Mr.Ivanov reporting that
the other military base in Batumi, Georgia, will be removed a little
bit later and the property of the base will be carried to Russia via
the sea.