"NATO NOT GOING TO STATION BASES IN SOUTH CAUCASUS," ALLIANCE SEC. GEN. SAID

PanARMENIAN.Net - "The NATO does not have intentions, plans or programs to station its bases in the territory of any of the South Caucasian states. There is not a single document, evidencing the NATO has such intentions, and there will be none," NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stated at a meeting with the students and professors of Yerevan State University. In his words, the Alliance does not intend to get involved in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict either. Having noted that the NATO does not compete with any country or organization in the South Caucasus, the Alliance Secretary General emphasized: "We search for partners, establish relations with all countries, which can provide feasible assistance in reaching such global goals, as fight against terror and impeding proliferation of mass annihilation weapons." In his words, no state or organization is able to fight those challenges alone. "Neither the NATO, nor the US, Russia or Armenia are able to do it. There is need for partnership and interaction," Scheffer noted. Touching upon the prospect of accession of the South Caucasian countries to the NATO, the Alliance head noted he had never heard Armenia had such arrangements. However, in his words, "it does not hinder Armenia in preparing to a very important step - arranging and presenting the Individual Partnership Actions Plan, as well as participate in the peacekeeping operation in Kosovo." Speaking of Armenia's relations with the NATO, Scheffer indicated that they do not hamper the country in being Russia's partner, as well as Russia - in successfully cooperating with the Alliance. There is no competition in the question, the NATO Secretary General noted.