ANDRANIK TEVANYAN: WASHINGTON SEEKS HEGEMONY OVER SOUTH CAUCASUS

News.am
11:44 / 09/24/2009

The United States and Russia are in a race for alternative energy
resources, and all the processes in the South Caucasus should
be considered in this context, Andranik Tevanyan, Director of the
Political Economy center, told NEWS.am, commenting on the information
on Pentagon’s plans to deploy military bases in Georgia by 2015.

"Yes, Washington gave up the idea of deploying ABM systems in
Eastern Europe, but did not give up its long-term plans. Washington’s
long-term plans to deploy troops in Georgia, as well as the intensified
Armenian-Turkish rapprochement process, are components of the plan,
which is designated as a ‘big alternative energy package’," Tevanyan
said.

According to him, the United States is trying to resolve all the
problems in the South Caucasus at a time thereby ensuring its hegemony
over the region and making one more step toward the greatly desired
energy resources. Tevanyan stressed that the military bases will
not be aimed against any country – they are just supposed to enable
Washington "to draw nearer" to the energy resources of Central Asia
and Azerbaijan.

As regards possible consequences Pentagon’s plans in the South
Caucasus, Tevanyan stressed that U.S. military bases in Georgia mean
additional dividing lines in the regional security system, considering
the fact of Armenia being a member of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization. On the other hand, Tevanyan doubts Washington will
easily implement its plans in the South Caucasus. "I do not think
Russia will easily yield to Washington. The outlook for deployment of
U.S. military basis in Georgia remains dim as yet," Tevanyan said. He
stressed that the arms race is the region is against the interests
of the South Caucasus countries. "Armenia, as well as the other
countries in the region, must try to get rid of the third countries’
‘military burden’ and must not allow the region to be turned into an
arena for e display of superpowers’ military might," Tevanyan said.

According to media reports, Pentagon is drafting an agreement with
Georgia. Under the agreement the United States is to deploy two land
force and one naval base in Georgia before 2015. The construction
is to start in 2014 to be completed the following year. Thus, the
Pentagon plans to deploy 25,000 troops in Georgia.