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ARMENIA DISCUSSES RUSSIAN BASE
Naira Hayrumyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics24650.html
Published: 12:08:35 - 21/12/2011
Yesterday, on Yerkir Media TV, a discussion between the former
vice-minister of defense of Armenia Arthur Aghabekyan (ARFD) and Vahan
Shirkhanyan (Hnchakyan Party) was held. The issue was unprecedented
not only for the Armenian television but also for Armenia, the
Russian base.
Perhaps, for the first time, an Armenian channel discussed the
necessity to charge a fee for the Russian military base. A couple
of days prior to this program, Arthur Aghabekyan publicly stated
that Armenia should charge a fee for the Russian base because Russia
benefits from the base as much as Armenia. Vahan Shirkhanyan did not
give a correct answer to this statement through a paper and received
a no less "correct" response by Arthur Aghabekyan.
Vahan Shirkhanyan, who was in charge of weapons of the Armenian army
during the war, stated that it is clearly stated in the agreement on
the base, that it is beneficial to both Armenia and Russia. Russia pays
with weapons, trainings, etc. Only the territory of the base is free
of charge. Shirkhanyan asks do we have to demand rent for the land?
At the same time, Arthur Aghabekyan did not deny that the base is
beneficial to Armenia too. He tried unsuccessfully to justify without
accusing Shirkhanyan who stated that in 1993 Armenia asked Russia to
leave the base in Armenia.
Neither Aghabekyan, nor Shirkhanyan referred to the part of the
agreement which would define the actions of Russia's base in case
Turkey or Azerbaijan attacks Armenia or if military actions start
in Iran and Russia tries to interfere. Quite recently, the Russian
Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported that Russia is going to respond to the
military actions in Iran through its 102nd base situated in Armenia.
The issue whether the Russian base is the genuine guarantor of
non-aggression against Armenia by malevolent neighbors, or there are
other "stronger" guarantees, was not discussed either.
There was no answer to the question why Russia which has a base in
Armenia to defend it sells weapons to Azerbaijan which threatens
attacks on Armenia.
Unfortunately, the interesting discussion on the very interesting
topic grew into mutual accusations and did not answer the main
questions. But the first step is the hardest. The important thing is
that the topic has become relevant in the expert environment, and the
fighting general of the Armenian army openly says that Russia should
pay for the military base.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Naira Hayrumyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics24650.html
Published: 12:08:35 - 21/12/2011
Yesterday, on Yerkir Media TV, a discussion between the former
vice-minister of defense of Armenia Arthur Aghabekyan (ARFD) and Vahan
Shirkhanyan (Hnchakyan Party) was held. The issue was unprecedented
not only for the Armenian television but also for Armenia, the
Russian base.
Perhaps, for the first time, an Armenian channel discussed the
necessity to charge a fee for the Russian military base. A couple
of days prior to this program, Arthur Aghabekyan publicly stated
that Armenia should charge a fee for the Russian base because Russia
benefits from the base as much as Armenia. Vahan Shirkhanyan did not
give a correct answer to this statement through a paper and received
a no less "correct" response by Arthur Aghabekyan.
Vahan Shirkhanyan, who was in charge of weapons of the Armenian army
during the war, stated that it is clearly stated in the agreement on
the base, that it is beneficial to both Armenia and Russia. Russia pays
with weapons, trainings, etc. Only the territory of the base is free
of charge. Shirkhanyan asks do we have to demand rent for the land?
At the same time, Arthur Aghabekyan did not deny that the base is
beneficial to Armenia too. He tried unsuccessfully to justify without
accusing Shirkhanyan who stated that in 1993 Armenia asked Russia to
leave the base in Armenia.
Neither Aghabekyan, nor Shirkhanyan referred to the part of the
agreement which would define the actions of Russia's base in case
Turkey or Azerbaijan attacks Armenia or if military actions start
in Iran and Russia tries to interfere. Quite recently, the Russian
Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported that Russia is going to respond to the
military actions in Iran through its 102nd base situated in Armenia.
The issue whether the Russian base is the genuine guarantor of
non-aggression against Armenia by malevolent neighbors, or there are
other "stronger" guarantees, was not discussed either.
There was no answer to the question why Russia which has a base in
Armenia to defend it sells weapons to Azerbaijan which threatens
attacks on Armenia.
Unfortunately, the interesting discussion on the very interesting
topic grew into mutual accusations and did not answer the main
questions. But the first step is the hardest. The important thing is
that the topic has become relevant in the expert environment, and the
fighting general of the Armenian army openly says that Russia should
pay for the military base.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress