Tweet
DOES CSTO TEND TO BECOME A SERIOUS STRUCTURE?
December 19 2013
"I think that the fact that the Russian side accepted our proposal
was very important, symbolic and also very telling, and that the two
heads of state during the visit to Gyumri jointly visited the 102nd
military base deployed in Gyumri. Of course, you know that pursuant
to the protocol, with which the deployment of the base in Armenia was
extended, removed the restriction that was mentioned in the previous
agreement, which provided that the base can be used for available
dangers only along the former outer borders of the Soviet Union. In
other word, the mandate of the military base was expanded, and I think
that in this context it is very important for us that the base be very
topical and capable, and that the military servants there have high
combat readiness," said Vigen Sargsyan, RA President's Chief of Staff,
summing up Russian President's visit, a day after the visit. Though,
since the existence of the agreement on deployment of Russia's military
bases in Armenia, the issue was explained and covered in detail,
however, Aravot.am tried once again to clarify whether there are
loopholes in the new phase of the Armenian-Russian military-technical
cooperation, with which Russian troops obtain the opportunity to
intervene in the internal affairs of Armenia. Tevan Poghosyan,
a member of RA NA Standing Committee on Defense, National Security
and Internal Affairs, with regard to this issue, in response to our
question, said, "The matter is that if earlier the military base was
used for the former Soviet Union, in other word, the Armenian-Turkish
border, and also, to some extent, for Armenia -Iran border, now this
notion is removed. This does not mean that the military base will be
employed, if the risks exist, the military base would make its actions
accordingly." Our interlocutor draws attention to the fact that both
Russia and Armenia are CSTO member states, and there is the notion of
"CSTO states borders". "For example, the Armenia-Azerbaijan border
in Tavush marz: it is a CSTO border.
Armenia-Nakhichevan border is also a CSTO border, and if there will be
dangers there, not only Russian military base would be employed, but it
is necessary to respond to these issues with CSTO joint efforts. It is
clear that today we are probably talking about a little hypothetical
scenario, but if CSTO intends to become a serious, it must develop
its capacity, and approach the issues with conscience of the concept
of the problem." Our interlocutor considers the development of CSTO
a daily issue for this very institution, and, in this context, he
thinks that that these forces may protect not only the boundaries of
the former Soviet Union, but, for example, other borders of Armenia,
also within the frames of CSTO boundaries. The above formulations,
as convinced by our interlocutor, are not associated with internal
issues of Armenia. "The matter is about Armenia defense functions." As
for interfering in the internal issues of Armenia, Tevan Poghosyan
thinks that it depends on us, and has nothing to do with the existence
of any military base in our outer borders. RA NA Vice-speaker Edward
Sharmazanov does not also see such concerns. He considers all such
opinions imaginary.
Nelly Grigoryan
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/12/19/163089/
From: Baghdasarian
December 19 2013
"I think that the fact that the Russian side accepted our proposal
was very important, symbolic and also very telling, and that the two
heads of state during the visit to Gyumri jointly visited the 102nd
military base deployed in Gyumri. Of course, you know that pursuant
to the protocol, with which the deployment of the base in Armenia was
extended, removed the restriction that was mentioned in the previous
agreement, which provided that the base can be used for available
dangers only along the former outer borders of the Soviet Union. In
other word, the mandate of the military base was expanded, and I think
that in this context it is very important for us that the base be very
topical and capable, and that the military servants there have high
combat readiness," said Vigen Sargsyan, RA President's Chief of Staff,
summing up Russian President's visit, a day after the visit. Though,
since the existence of the agreement on deployment of Russia's military
bases in Armenia, the issue was explained and covered in detail,
however, Aravot.am tried once again to clarify whether there are
loopholes in the new phase of the Armenian-Russian military-technical
cooperation, with which Russian troops obtain the opportunity to
intervene in the internal affairs of Armenia. Tevan Poghosyan,
a member of RA NA Standing Committee on Defense, National Security
and Internal Affairs, with regard to this issue, in response to our
question, said, "The matter is that if earlier the military base was
used for the former Soviet Union, in other word, the Armenian-Turkish
border, and also, to some extent, for Armenia -Iran border, now this
notion is removed. This does not mean that the military base will be
employed, if the risks exist, the military base would make its actions
accordingly." Our interlocutor draws attention to the fact that both
Russia and Armenia are CSTO member states, and there is the notion of
"CSTO states borders". "For example, the Armenia-Azerbaijan border
in Tavush marz: it is a CSTO border.
Armenia-Nakhichevan border is also a CSTO border, and if there will be
dangers there, not only Russian military base would be employed, but it
is necessary to respond to these issues with CSTO joint efforts. It is
clear that today we are probably talking about a little hypothetical
scenario, but if CSTO intends to become a serious, it must develop
its capacity, and approach the issues with conscience of the concept
of the problem." Our interlocutor considers the development of CSTO
a daily issue for this very institution, and, in this context, he
thinks that that these forces may protect not only the boundaries of
the former Soviet Union, but, for example, other borders of Armenia,
also within the frames of CSTO boundaries. The above formulations,
as convinced by our interlocutor, are not associated with internal
issues of Armenia. "The matter is about Armenia defense functions." As
for interfering in the internal issues of Armenia, Tevan Poghosyan
thinks that it depends on us, and has nothing to do with the existence
of any military base in our outer borders. RA NA Vice-speaker Edward
Sharmazanov does not also see such concerns. He considers all such
opinions imaginary.
Nelly Grigoryan
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/12/19/163089/
From: Baghdasarian