April 19, 2005 - 11:36 AMT
ARMENIA NOT RUSSIA'S VASSAL, BUT PARTNER
Secretary of the National Security Council at the President of Armenia, Defense Minister Serge Sargsian does not agree with statements that Armenia's relations with Russia are those of a vassal. Serge Sargsian stated it in the course of a press conference today. In his words, he had never noted anyone representing the Russian party making claims against Armenia, which could have infringed upon his dignity as an Armenian. "We have partner relations with Russia," Serge Sargsian noted. Answering the question whether information that Russian bases will be withdrawn from Tbilisi to Armenia is true, the Defense Minister noted that he did not possess such information.