August 5, 2003 - 22:56 AMT
OPENING ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER NOT RAISED IN RUSSIAN FRONTIER REPRESENTATION
The issue of opening the Armenian-Turkish border was not raised in the frontier representation of Russia. Chief of the border department of the National Security Service of Russia in Armenia, mayor general Sergey Bondarev told journalists today, when commenting on reports on possible opening of the Armenian border by Ankara. In his words, in case the corresponding decree is received and proceeding from the decision passed by the Armenian leadership, respective service will be organized at admission points between Armenia and Turkey. As of the term of Russian frontier guards' presence in the territory of Armenia, in Bondarev's words, according to an agreement, they will stay here until the formation of national frontier troops is completed. Frontier guards of Armenia still have many problems, specifically, those concerning sufficient defense of the border with Georgia, the Russian general considers.