MOSCOW: Armenian MP advocates re-deployment of Russian military

Armenian MP advocates re-deployment of Russian military hardware to his
country

Interfax news agency, Moscow
12 Jun 05

YEREVAN

Baku is trying to incite the West against Yerevan by protesting
against re-location of Russian military hardware from Georgia to
Armenia, former Armenian prime minister and defence minister, now one
of the leaders of the Justice opposition bloc in the Armenian
parliament, Vazgen Manukyan, has said in an interview with Interfax.

“Azerbaijan’s anxiety and protests are artificial. Baku wants to play
this card in order to create an impression that Armenia is under
strong Russian influence and incite the West against Armenia,”
Manukyan said.

“Nothing extraordinary will happen in connection with partial
re-deployment of Russian military equipment from Georgia to Armenia,”
Manukyan went on to say.

“Georgia is pursuing its traditional policy aimed at limiting Russia’s
influence in the republic [Georgia], while Armenia traditionally links
its national security with the presence of Russian military bases on
its territory,” he said.