MINISTRY OKAYS ARMENIAN EXPORT TO ZASTAVA

B92, Serbia
Jan 11 2007

11 January 2007 | 13:16 | Source: VIP Daily News, B92 BELGRADE —
Ministry allows Zastava oru~^je weapons export to Armenia worth 2.6
million USD

The International Economic Relations Ministry has given the go-ahead
to Kragujevac-based factory Zastava oru~^je the export weapons to
Armenia, worth 2.6 million USD, reported on Wednesday the Government
office for cooperation with media, reports the Belgrade press.

In the fall of last year, the Serbian Foreign Ministry declined to
give its consent to the export of arms to Armenia, entailing a strike
by weapon makers ahead of the New Year. The Ministry justified its
decision with the need to maintain good relations with Russia.

However, during his visit to Kragujevac as part of the election
campaign of the Democratic Party, the Serbian President Boris Tadic
promised Zastava oru~^je workers to investigate on Russia’s position
and, after consultations between his advisers and Moscow, the approval
for the export of weapons to Armenia was given.

The Foreign Ministry subsequently declined once again to issue its
consent claiming OSCE regulations ban export to that country, but
the approval was given on Wednesday nonetheless.