AZERIS GIVE MIXED REACTION TO RUSSIAN SUSPENSION OF CFE TREATY

Sources:

Interfax news agency, Moscow, in Russian 1702 gmt 14 Jul 07
ANS TV, Baku, in Azeri 1600 gmt 15 Jul 07
Yeni Musavat, Baku, in Azeri 0000 16 Jul 07

Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in the Conventional
Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty is "undesirable" for Azerbaijan, as
this can undermine global security, a senior official has said.

"In any case, this is an undesirable process and position for us,"
Novruz Mammadov, head of the foreign relations department of the
presidential administration, told Russia’s Interfax news agency. "We
would want global security to be ensured so that different parts of
the world cooperate in a constructive say."

Mammadov urged both Russia and the USA to show "constructivism"
in their relations.

"Constructivism is vital for interstate relations in the 21st
century. It is particularly important that Russia and the USA show
this constructivism," he said.

Former presidential aide Vafa Quluzada, however, believes that
Azerbaijan will not be affected by the Russian move in any way.

"This will be make no difference for Azerbaijan," Quluzada
told commercial ANS television on 15 July. "This is a matter of
Russian-American relations."

Popular opposition daily Yeni Musavat described the Russian move as
the start of a new Cold War. Commenting on possible ramifications of
the decision, the paper said that this would allow Russia to deploy
more weapons on the border with Azerbaijan and Georgia and strengthen
its bases in Armenia.