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Moldova Defense Minister Insists Arms Sale To Armenia Was Lawful And

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  • Moldova Defense Minister Insists Arms Sale To Armenia Was Lawful And

    MOLDOVA DEFENSE MINISTER INSISTS ARMS SALE TO ARMENIA WAS LAWFUL AND RIGHT

    epress.am
    09.30.2011 17:56

    Despite statements by Moldova's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Igor Bodiu
    to the contrary, Moldova's defense minister Vitalie MarinuĊ£a insistes
    that the deal involving the sale of arms and ammunition to Armenia is
    lawful and right, reports Moldovan news agency OMEGA (OMG Media Group).

    Earlier this week, the Moldovan Ambassador in Baku was summoned by
    the Azerbaijani government to provide explanations for recent news
    about his country secretly supplying (expired) weapons to Armenia. The
    Moldovan authorities did not comment on the diplomatic incident.

    However, after the conversation with the Azerbaijani government,
    Ambassador Bodiu told members of the press that the sensational deal
    "created an unpleasant moment in [Moldova-Azerbaijan] bilateral
    relations." At the same time, Bodiu expressed hope that "this
    unfortunate mistake" will in no way affect Azerbaijan-Moldova
    relations.

    As it later became known to sources of OMEGA, the transaction
    was carried out by the Latvian company Latspetsexport, though
    Latvian authorities deny the involvement of a Latvian company in the
    arrangement. A number of Moldova officials have repeatedly said this
    batch of weapons was purchased by Armenia.

    Speaking on this matter, MarinuĊ£a, Moldova's defense minister,
    declared that the agreement to ship 60 tons of arms (among them
    anti-aircraft and anti-tank systems) "benefitted" the Moldovan party.

    In turn, chair of the Parliamentary Commission on National Security,
    Defense and Public Order Alexander Stoianoglo asserted that the
    aircraft shipped arms to Armenia on the basis of a contract between
    the Republic of Moldova and the Latvian company, and the contract
    was implemented in accordance with Moldovan legislation. The deal,
    according to Stoianoglu, was confirmed with the signature of Armenian
    defense minister Seyran Ohanyan.

    Armenia, in turn, claims that it has never purchased obsolete weapons.

    Since independence, Armenia has never acquired expired weapons, press
    secretary for Armenia's defense ministry David Karapetyan said earlier.

    "For the needs of Armenia's Armed Forces, the procurement and
    acquisition of weapons and military equipment are made under the
    laws of the Republic [of Armenia] and relevant international norms
    and obligations," he said.

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