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Armenian, Russian Troops Begin Joint Maneuvers

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  • Armenian, Russian Troops Begin Joint Maneuvers

    Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
    Aug 25 2004

    Armenian, Russian Troops Begin Joint Maneuvers

    By Hrach Melkumian 25/08/2004 09:37

    Underscoring their close defense ties, Armenia and Russia began on
    Tuesday regular joint military exercises near Yerevan involving
    hundreds of troops, military hardware and air force.

    Officials said elements of Armenia's Fifth Army Corps and the Russian
    military base stationed in the country will practice military
    operations and try to improve their interoperability during the
    three-day maneuvers.
    They said the troops will fire live rounds from light and heavy
    weapons, including tanks and helicopter gunships.

    `We are strategic partners and have a cooperation plan for 2004
    singed by our defense ministers. The holding of such events is part
    of it,' Colonel-General Mikael Harutiunian, chief of staff of the
    Armenian armed forces, told RFE/RL.

    `We have held such joint exercises for the last several years,' he
    said. `They are not directed against any other third country. Their
    aim is to improve the combat readiness and cooperation of the
    Armenian Armed Forces and 102nd Russian military base.'

    The military alliance with Russia is a key component of Armenia's
    national security doctrine which sees a military threat from
    neighboring Turkey. Russia has been the main source of external arms
    supplies and training for the Armenian military for over a decade.

    Harutiunian added that Armenia stands ready to hold similar exercises
    with `other countries,' apparently alluding to Yerevan's growing
    participation in NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP) program. Armenia
    hosted a first-ever NATO-led exercise on its soil in June 2002 and
    intends to take part in similar drills to be held in Azerbaijan next
    month.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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