RF'S USE OF RADARS IN AZERBAIJAN NOT CONTRADICTING ARMENIA INTERESTS
ITAR-TASS
Aug 10, 2011
Russia
YEREVAN, August 10 (Itar-Tass) - Russia's use of the radar station in
Azerbaijan does not contradict the interests of Armenia's security
and favors improvement of the situation in the region, Armenia's
First Deputy Defense Minister David Tonoyan said in an interview,
published by the ministry's press service on Wednesday.
"With the strategic character of the Armenia-Russia inter-allied
relations, we do not at all consider Russia's use of the Gabala radar
station as actions contradicting Armenia's security, but, rather on
the contrary," he said.
The Gabala radar station is a part of the Russian system of missile
warning. It is located not far from the city of Gabala in Azerbaijan.
The station used to be the USSR's major element of anti-missile
defense. As Azerbaijan gained independence, the station became its
property, and Russia has been renting it. The agreement stated the
station's status as an information-analytical centre which is property
of Azerbaijan and which is being rented by Russia for the term of ten
years till 2012 with an option of extension. The rent term expires
in December, 2012. Russia has been using the station to control the
air and space in the southern direction and to warn about possible
launches of ballistic missiles, including from countries like Iran,
Pakistan and India.
In late July, Russia's Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov was in
Azerbaijan on a working visit, where he discussed, among other issues,
extension of the Gabala station's rent. Following the visit, Serdyukov
told reporters that "Russia has drafted suggestions on further use
of the Gabala radar station, including its modernization." As he
said, a working group will come to Baku to discuss with Azerbaijan's
counterparts technical issues of further use of the station. Besides,
within two years Russia will finalize reconstruction of the Gabala
radar station.
ITAR-TASS
Aug 10, 2011
Russia
YEREVAN, August 10 (Itar-Tass) - Russia's use of the radar station in
Azerbaijan does not contradict the interests of Armenia's security
and favors improvement of the situation in the region, Armenia's
First Deputy Defense Minister David Tonoyan said in an interview,
published by the ministry's press service on Wednesday.
"With the strategic character of the Armenia-Russia inter-allied
relations, we do not at all consider Russia's use of the Gabala radar
station as actions contradicting Armenia's security, but, rather on
the contrary," he said.
The Gabala radar station is a part of the Russian system of missile
warning. It is located not far from the city of Gabala in Azerbaijan.
The station used to be the USSR's major element of anti-missile
defense. As Azerbaijan gained independence, the station became its
property, and Russia has been renting it. The agreement stated the
station's status as an information-analytical centre which is property
of Azerbaijan and which is being rented by Russia for the term of ten
years till 2012 with an option of extension. The rent term expires
in December, 2012. Russia has been using the station to control the
air and space in the southern direction and to warn about possible
launches of ballistic missiles, including from countries like Iran,
Pakistan and India.
In late July, Russia's Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov was in
Azerbaijan on a working visit, where he discussed, among other issues,
extension of the Gabala station's rent. Following the visit, Serdyukov
told reporters that "Russia has drafted suggestions on further use
of the Gabala radar station, including its modernization." As he
said, a working group will come to Baku to discuss with Azerbaijan's
counterparts technical issues of further use of the station. Besides,
within two years Russia will finalize reconstruction of the Gabala
radar station.