AZERBAIJAN UNHAPPY WITH RUSSIAN WEAPONS STATIONING ON ARMENIAN BORDER

Azeri Press Agency
Dec 7 2006

Idzhevan, 7 December: [Russian] military hardware withdrawn from
Georgia, including armoured personnel carriers, part of the infantry
fighting vehicles, and small arms, have been deployed in military
units in the districts of Idzhevan, Tavush and Vardenis on Armenia’s
border with Azerbaijan, APA has learnt from military sources.

There is no information as to whether the hardware and small arms have
been handed over to the Armenian armed forces. Agreement is expected
to be reached soon to allow the Armenian military to use the hardware.

The head of the Defence Ministry press service, Col Ramiz Malikov, told
APA that they condemned this step by Russia. Malikov said that they are
aware of the stationing of the Russian weapons and part of the military
hardware on the territory of Armenia and the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan, the conflict zone. He said that international organizations
have been informed about this: "This step is having a negative impact
on the negotiating process, making the military situation in the
South Caucasus tense and upsetting the military balance."