AZERBAIJAN TO HOST GUAM MEETING TO ESTABLISH PEACEKEEPERS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 8 2006

GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) meeting for
establishing peacekeeping forces of the alliance will be held in
Azerbaijan.

The issue is being discussed at the level of deputy chief of General
Staffs of the member states, Ivan Androsenko, Ukrainian Defense
Ministry International Military Cooperation Department chief told
the APA exclusively.

"Measures are being implemented in establishing joint peacekeepers
of GUAM member countries after the Tbilisi meeting at the level of
deputy chief of General Staffs. Prior to that meeting, we had met in
Kyiv in June. The deputies chief of General Staffs are working out the
scheme of establishing peacekeeping contingent," Mr.Androsenko, said.

He said they are considering the UN and OSCE proposals on the matter,
and the results will be sent to them. Now the yare discussing issues
on management and structure of the peacekeepers.

"The peacekeeping forces will operate under the auspices of the UN
and OSCE," he said.

Androsenko also said GUAM peacekeepers might be dislocated in Nagorno
Garabagh only after the UN and OSCE decisions.

He also said there is a high level bilateral military cooperation
between Azerbaijan and Ukraine. Defense Ministers of the two countries
had a fruitful meeting in Baku May this year.

"This meeting gave impetus to the development of military and military
political spheres between out countries. It opened a new door for
military-political dialogue," he said.

He also added that two countries are discussing the cooperation on
personnel training and other issues.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress