Vladimir Zhirinovski: We Consider Armenian-russian Relations To Be Strategic

[Hovik]

VLADIMIR ZHIRINOVSKI: WE CONSIDER ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS TO BE STRATEGIC

ARKA News Agency
Sept 12 2005

YEREVAN, September 12. /ARKA/. Armenian-Russian relations are
strategic, Russian Liberal-Democratic Party leader and Russian Duma
Vice-Speaker Vladimir Zhirinovski said answering ARKA News Agency
question. "This always has been the same because Armenia earlier than
others wanted to join Russian Empire", Zhirinovski said. In his words,
the relations have always been beneficial to Armenia as well as to
Russia. In his opinion, they have always been honest and open.

"I support them, because this is our gateway to Middle East", he said.

At the same time, the Russian politician said, Georgia's policy
unwilling to open Moscow-Tbilisi-Yerevan railway is hampering
Armenian-Russian relations. He denounced this policy as wild. "Why
not to open borders? Let people travel, carry goods. Everybody will
take advantage from that", Zhirinovski said wandering why Georgia
pursues such a policy. In his opinion at least cargo trains couldn't
move through this railway. In particular, Georgia could send cargoes
to Russia and Armenia would pay it for that and "everybody will take
advantage from that". However, Zhirinovski noted that Georgia remain
steadfast in rejecting that. "They closed the way and nothing else.

This is a real blockade. Hitler used to do the same. You are blocking
Armenia and Krasnodar region", he said. M.V. -0--

[Gavur]

Breakaway Regions Seek Closer Ties With Russia

Breakaway Regions Seek Closer Ties With Russia

Georgia has two breakaway republics
(RFE/RL)
14 September 2005 -- Representatives of four regions that have broken away from ex-Soviet republics reiterated their intention in Moscow today to seek international recognition and closer ties with Russia.


A Russian lawmaker said it was about time the breakaway regions were recognized as states.

Representatives of Georgia's breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh disputed by Azerbaijan and Armenia, and Moldova's Transdniester region met in Moscow and pledged to pursue independence.

Konstantin Zatulin, a lawmaker from the Kremlin-directed United Russia party, called the sovereignty of these entities a reality that should be accepted.

(AP)