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ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN BILATERAL CO-OPERATION SHOULDN'T DAMAGE TO REGIONAL SECURITY
news.az
Aug 19 2010
Azerbaijan
Dmitry Medevedev Russian President Dmitry Medevedev's visit to
Armenia, which is started on Thursday, is closely followed in the
United States too.
The possible prolongation of the Russia-Armenia Gyumri base contract
until 2044 during the visit is in the centre of American media and
analysts' attention.
The majority of the American experts said the particular contract
is dangerous for the region as it may bring armament misbalance. The
experts say the region has too many problems and reasons for conflicts
already and they don't need another one.
A former US Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1987-1991), Special
assistant to the US president on national security affairs, Senior
Director for European and Soviet Affairs on the National Security
Council Staff from 1983 until 1986 Jack Matlock said that both Russia
and its neighbors like Armenia and others "make too much over military
bases".
He believes bilateral co-operation is something which is more
important, it shouldn't damage to regional security: "Security in
the area should be based on regional cooperation. There should be
serious discussion of Medvedev's idea of a new, all-European security
arrangement".
He proposes another way of co-operation: "In particular, the countries
of the Black and Caspian Sea areas should think in terms of collective
security not expansion of existing alliances. Why not try to do more
through the OSCE?"
Pavel Podvig, a researcher at the Center for International Security
and Cooperation at Stanford University, expert on military co-operation
and security, says such a step from Russia's side was predictable.
"As a general observation, I think it is understandable that Russia
would like to have something tangible in countries like Armenia -
it creates a certain reality on the ground. I don't think these are
threatening developments. At least they shouldn't be considered as
such" - he added.
From: A. Papazian
news.az
Aug 19 2010
Azerbaijan
Dmitry Medevedev Russian President Dmitry Medevedev's visit to
Armenia, which is started on Thursday, is closely followed in the
United States too.
The possible prolongation of the Russia-Armenia Gyumri base contract
until 2044 during the visit is in the centre of American media and
analysts' attention.
The majority of the American experts said the particular contract
is dangerous for the region as it may bring armament misbalance. The
experts say the region has too many problems and reasons for conflicts
already and they don't need another one.
A former US Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1987-1991), Special
assistant to the US president on national security affairs, Senior
Director for European and Soviet Affairs on the National Security
Council Staff from 1983 until 1986 Jack Matlock said that both Russia
and its neighbors like Armenia and others "make too much over military
bases".
He believes bilateral co-operation is something which is more
important, it shouldn't damage to regional security: "Security in
the area should be based on regional cooperation. There should be
serious discussion of Medvedev's idea of a new, all-European security
arrangement".
He proposes another way of co-operation: "In particular, the countries
of the Black and Caspian Sea areas should think in terms of collective
security not expansion of existing alliances. Why not try to do more
through the OSCE?"
Pavel Podvig, a researcher at the Center for International Security
and Cooperation at Stanford University, expert on military co-operation
and security, says such a step from Russia's side was predictable.
"As a general observation, I think it is understandable that Russia
would like to have something tangible in countries like Armenia -
it creates a certain reality on the ground. I don't think these are
threatening developments. At least they shouldn't be considered as
such" - he added.
From: A. Papazian