RUSSIAN EXPERT: WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN BASES FROM GEORGIA TO DAMAGE RUSSIA'S IMAGE IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net - "The withdrawal of the Russian military bases from Georgia will have a number of negative consequences for our country. First, the Russian troops in Akhalkalaki played considerable role for Russia, since the local Armenian population enjoyed their support what strengthened Russia's prestige in Armenia's opinion. Second, it will be much more difficult for us to defend the people in the South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Moreover, the question on withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping troops from these republics may arouse. Third, the deployment of US troops in Georgia is possible and this will become a new shock for Russia." This is the opinion of head of the Center of Military Analysis, Professor of the Academy of Military Sciences Anatoly Tsiganok, IA Regnum reports. He considers that with signing the agreement on settlement of the terms of withdrawal of its troops from Georgia the Russian government first of all showed that it is incapable to press for its goals. In his opinion it is incorrect to refer to the Istanbul agreements of 1999, as at that time Iran and China did not possess intermediate and high-range ballistic missiles, Tsiganok notes. "Presently negative developments over Iran cannot be ruled out and this fact should have been taken into consideration in the negotiation process", he added. The expert supposes that Armenia may change its accents in the foreign policy and head for the EU rather than Russia. With the withdrawal of the Russian bases from Akhalkalaki the railway communication between Armenia and Russia will be hampered. "The only corridor between Armenia and Russia does not satisfy all Armenia's needs. Thus, the republic is likely to make for NATO or EU", Anatoly Tsiganok noted.