May 30, 2009 - 15:29 AMT
Baku may agree to install Russian and American ABM system on its territory
"Russia and the U.S. have had a long dispute, starting from the Munich speech of Vladimir Putin, when he strictly criticized Washington's plans related to placement of their antiballistic missile systems (AMB) in Poland and Check Republic. The U.S. justifies the placement of ABM systems by the danger, coming from Iran, while the Russians regard them targeted against Russia.

Therefore they want those rockets and ABM systems be placed in Azerbaijan, rather than in immediate neighborhood of Russia's European part," Azerbaijani political scientist Vafa Guluzade said, commenting the statements made by the Russian diplomat Alexander Sternik in London. The latter said, that if the Americans really are so afraid of Iran, then they can install their rockets and ABM systems in Azerbaijan, frontier to Iran.

According to Vafa Guluzade, the U.S. will not place their rockets and ABM in Azerbaijan.

"Russia is really represents danger for them, and they are eager to control it. However, if Washington and Moscow reach agreement over the ABM placement in Azerbaijan, then without Baku's participation those issues would not be settled. The U.S. and Russia before agreeing, first must receive permission from Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, we must weigh all the pros and cons of such a proposal from Washington and Moscow.

Taking into account the aggressive behavior of Teheran in the region, I think Baku could accept their offer. Anyway, I repeat, without permission of Azerbaijan's leadership, neither the U.S. nor Russia are eligible to make such statements on behalf of our name.

I think, prior making such statements the Russian diplomat needed to ascertain, if Azerbaijan wanted to install the American rockets and ABM on its territory", said Vafa Guluzade, 1news.az reports.