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Rezonansi, Tbilisi, Georgia
Nov 19 2008
A small scandal is brewing between Georgia and Azerbaijan
by Nino Kekelia
Cooperation between Georgia and Armenia in the military area may
deteriorate relations between Tbilisi and Baku. According to
unofficial information, during Armenian Defence Minister Seyran
Ohanyan's visit to Tbilisi on 12 November it was agreed that Georgia
will allow the passage of military cargo bound for Armenia through its
territory and besides, Armenian army tanks and armoured hardware will
be repaired in Tbilisi.
Relevant information was released by Azerbaijan's Trend [news]
agency. Rezonansi tried to check the information at the [Georgian]
Defence Ministry but, unfortunately, to no avail.
In the meantime, it is said in Baku that Armenian-Georgian relations
might affect Azerbaijani-Georgian relations.
A representative of the Azerbaijani president's administration, Novruz
Mammadov, has said in an interview with ANS [TV] that Azerbaijan is
not going to interfere in Georgian-Armenian relations. However, he did
not rule out that relations between these neighbours might affect
Azerbaijan too.
"Georgian-Armenian relations may affect Georgian-Azerbaijani relations
although both in diplomatic and political terms it would be incorrect
to express a position on this today."
Rezonansi was unable to contact the Defence Ministry. We spoke to
military expert Giorgi Tavdgiridze to find out how realistic it is to
conclude this kind of agreement and whether or not Georgia possesses
resources to repair Armenian military hardware.
Forming military agreement with Armenia would be "a mistake"
[Giorgi Tavdgiridze] I think Georgia could not have concluded such an
agreement. Given the region's specifics, it would be a mistake to
[make] this kind of agreement. As for resources for repairing [the
tanks], this is possible indeed. We have a plant and we have
engineers. Therefore, it is possible to carry out repair work of a
certain degree and size [in Georgia].
"However, one thing should be taken into account - we have an enemy in
the face of the Russian state. Armenia, on the other hand, is a
difficult state because however strange this might sound, it [Armenia]
appears to be Russia's ally because there is a Russian base on its
territory. I believe given all this Georgia could not have concluded
such an agreement because in that instance it would appear that we
would be repairing tanks for an ally of our country's enemy.
"Even had the August events not happened, we should not have taken
such a step. We have two neighbouring states - Azerbaijan and Armenia
- who are in a conflict. Consequently, it would be erroneous to take
such a decision and one that would yield negative results.
"Azerbaijan is a strategic partner and in the event of a war, [our]
relations with Azerbaijan will [gain] a strategic importance. If the
agreement does exist, it is bound to bring negative results. It could
have been Armenia's wish but the Georgian side [most probably] did not
agree to it. We do not know if a relevant agreement was actually
reached."
No reason for Azerbaijan's anger
Political analyst Paata Zakareishvili notes that the conclusion of
such an agreement does not go beyond business interests and it should
not anger Azerbaijan.
"What does Azerbaijan have to do with it? Why should it be angered?
What does it matter whether Armenia will construct a plant and repair
tanks on its territory or in Georgia? The important thing is not to
use the tanks in a war. This is nothing to be angry about in this.
"If Georgia signed such an agreement it does not mean that Georgia
supports Armenia against Azerbaijan in this conflict. Georgia is
trying to develop its economy and business. There is a plant in the
country and we are [trying to] use it.
"If Azerbaijan tries to create difficulties for us in economic terms
because of this, it is our government who should take care of
it. There is really no reason for conflict in this and I do not think
the agreement - if it does exist - will be followed by a major
response from Azerbaijan," Zakareishvili said.
Nov 19 2008
A small scandal is brewing between Georgia and Azerbaijan
by Nino Kekelia
Cooperation between Georgia and Armenia in the military area may
deteriorate relations between Tbilisi and Baku. According to
unofficial information, during Armenian Defence Minister Seyran
Ohanyan's visit to Tbilisi on 12 November it was agreed that Georgia
will allow the passage of military cargo bound for Armenia through its
territory and besides, Armenian army tanks and armoured hardware will
be repaired in Tbilisi.
Relevant information was released by Azerbaijan's Trend [news]
agency. Rezonansi tried to check the information at the [Georgian]
Defence Ministry but, unfortunately, to no avail.
In the meantime, it is said in Baku that Armenian-Georgian relations
might affect Azerbaijani-Georgian relations.
A representative of the Azerbaijani president's administration, Novruz
Mammadov, has said in an interview with ANS [TV] that Azerbaijan is
not going to interfere in Georgian-Armenian relations. However, he did
not rule out that relations between these neighbours might affect
Azerbaijan too.
"Georgian-Armenian relations may affect Georgian-Azerbaijani relations
although both in diplomatic and political terms it would be incorrect
to express a position on this today."
Rezonansi was unable to contact the Defence Ministry. We spoke to
military expert Giorgi Tavdgiridze to find out how realistic it is to
conclude this kind of agreement and whether or not Georgia possesses
resources to repair Armenian military hardware.
Forming military agreement with Armenia would be "a mistake"
[Giorgi Tavdgiridze] I think Georgia could not have concluded such an
agreement. Given the region's specifics, it would be a mistake to
[make] this kind of agreement. As for resources for repairing [the
tanks], this is possible indeed. We have a plant and we have
engineers. Therefore, it is possible to carry out repair work of a
certain degree and size [in Georgia].
"However, one thing should be taken into account - we have an enemy in
the face of the Russian state. Armenia, on the other hand, is a
difficult state because however strange this might sound, it [Armenia]
appears to be Russia's ally because there is a Russian base on its
territory. I believe given all this Georgia could not have concluded
such an agreement because in that instance it would appear that we
would be repairing tanks for an ally of our country's enemy.
"Even had the August events not happened, we should not have taken
such a step. We have two neighbouring states - Azerbaijan and Armenia
- who are in a conflict. Consequently, it would be erroneous to take
such a decision and one that would yield negative results.
"Azerbaijan is a strategic partner and in the event of a war, [our]
relations with Azerbaijan will [gain] a strategic importance. If the
agreement does exist, it is bound to bring negative results. It could
have been Armenia's wish but the Georgian side [most probably] did not
agree to it. We do not know if a relevant agreement was actually
reached."
No reason for Azerbaijan's anger
Political analyst Paata Zakareishvili notes that the conclusion of
such an agreement does not go beyond business interests and it should
not anger Azerbaijan.
"What does Azerbaijan have to do with it? Why should it be angered?
What does it matter whether Armenia will construct a plant and repair
tanks on its territory or in Georgia? The important thing is not to
use the tanks in a war. This is nothing to be angry about in this.
"If Georgia signed such an agreement it does not mean that Georgia
supports Armenia against Azerbaijan in this conflict. Georgia is
trying to develop its economy and business. There is a plant in the
country and we are [trying to] use it.
"If Azerbaijan tries to create difficulties for us in economic terms
because of this, it is our government who should take care of
it. There is really no reason for conflict in this and I do not think
the agreement - if it does exist - will be followed by a major
response from Azerbaijan," Zakareishvili said.