Russia denies Syria-bound warship reportsJune 17, 2012 - 15:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The media reports that a large Russian amphibious ship carrying weapons and troops was en route to Syria are false, a source in the Russian Black Sea Fleet told RIA Novosti on Sunday, June 17, the agency said. “The ship is in the state of instant readiness for departure like all of the fleet’s warships. There are no marines aboard the ship and there were no commands for a voyage towards Syria. The crews are engaged in day-to-day activities,” the source said. Some Ukrainian media sources reported on Sunday, referring to CNN and other western media that the Nikolai Filchenkov large amphibious ship from the Russian Black Sea Fleet stationed in the Crimea in Ukraine was heading for the Syrian port of Tartus carrying weapons and marines to defend Russia’s naval facility. U.S. media claimed U.S. intelligence was tracking the ship’s movement towards Syria. In late May, several Russian and Western media as well as a U.S.-based advocacy group, Human Rights First, reported that the Russian-flagged bulk cargo vessel Professor Katsman docked at the Syrian port of Tartus on May 26, allegedly carrying weapons for the President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces. Soon after the reports, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice lashed out at Russia over its alleged arms supplies to Syria. Moscow strongly rejected the claims, saying that Russia was not “delivering to Syria, or anywhere else, items that could be used against peaceful demonstrators.” According to UN estimates, about 10,000 people have been killed in Syria since the beginning of a popular uprising against President Assad in March 2011, which started with peaceful protests but has since grown increasingly militarized. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |