Armenia can suspend CFE only if neighbors reconsider their positionsDecember 13, 2007 - 14:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia's suspension of the CFE is a tough attempt to correct the mistakes the Russian leadership made in 1990-ies, RA National Assembly Vice Speaker Vahan Hovhannisian told a news conference today."NATO's constants enlargement and post soviet republics' aspiration to join the Alliance do cause Russia's concern. However, western partners will not favor Russia for suspending the Treaty. At the same time, Russia's move should not arouse any concern, since this country is not plotting aggressive programs," he said. When asked whether Armenia can follow Russia, the Vice Speaker said: "Such move is possible only if Armenia's neighbors reconsider their positions. As you know, one of the neighbors, Azerbaijan has never limited purchase of armament, violating the CFE principles," IA Regnum reports. Russia's unilateral moratorium on a major arms reductions treaty in Europe came into force December 12. During the temporary suspension of Russia's participation in the CFE treaty, the country will not be bound by limitations [under the treaty], including by 'flank limitations', on the number of deployed conventional weapons. Top stories President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. Armenia designates flood-hit communities as disaster areas The emergency situation was created by floods caused by heavy rains in Armenia’s north on May 25-26. |