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ISRAEL STRENGTHENS ITS PRESENCE IN AZERBAIJAN - MILITARY EXPERT
news.am
March 30, 2012 | 04:12
YEREVAN. - It is difficult to judge whether reports on alleged Israeli
airbases in the territory of Azerbaijan are true, says Armenian
military expert.
"It is unclear whether talks, Azerbaijan's approval or discussions
stand behind the rumors," Artsrun Hovhannisyan told Armenian
News-NEWS.am, commenting on recent publication of influential Foreign
Policy magazine.
The article published in the magazine says Israel has recently been
granted access to airbases in Azerbaijan. An anonymous senior diplomat
says the airbases may host Israeli aircrafts after attacking Iran.
The report was followed by a wave of refutations by the Azerbaijani
top officials who claim Azerbaijan's territory will be never used to
attack Iran, Georgia, Russia and Turkey.
Speaking about refutation, Hovhannisyan recalled the recent weapon
deal signed by Azerbaijan and Israel.
"The Azerbaijani side 'tried' to explain the deal by the fact that it
will be used against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, not Iran," he said.
However, the expert stressed that according to preliminary information,
the major part of purchased weapons is anti-ship missile systems.
"They can be hardly used against Armenia," he emphasized, adding
that it will be used not only against Iran but also Russia with
its powerful Caspian fleet. "Airbases are just a detail. Israel is
obviously strengthening its presence in Azerbaijan and it may be
nothing but a threat to Iran."
news.am
March 30, 2012 | 04:12
YEREVAN. - It is difficult to judge whether reports on alleged Israeli
airbases in the territory of Azerbaijan are true, says Armenian
military expert.
"It is unclear whether talks, Azerbaijan's approval or discussions
stand behind the rumors," Artsrun Hovhannisyan told Armenian
News-NEWS.am, commenting on recent publication of influential Foreign
Policy magazine.
The article published in the magazine says Israel has recently been
granted access to airbases in Azerbaijan. An anonymous senior diplomat
says the airbases may host Israeli aircrafts after attacking Iran.
The report was followed by a wave of refutations by the Azerbaijani
top officials who claim Azerbaijan's territory will be never used to
attack Iran, Georgia, Russia and Turkey.
Speaking about refutation, Hovhannisyan recalled the recent weapon
deal signed by Azerbaijan and Israel.
"The Azerbaijani side 'tried' to explain the deal by the fact that it
will be used against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, not Iran," he said.
However, the expert stressed that according to preliminary information,
the major part of purchased weapons is anti-ship missile systems.
"They can be hardly used against Armenia," he emphasized, adding
that it will be used not only against Iran but also Russia with
its powerful Caspian fleet. "Airbases are just a detail. Israel is
obviously strengthening its presence in Azerbaijan and it may be
nothing but a threat to Iran."