02/08/2010 13:33
Russia’s delivery of C-300 rockets to Azerbaijan - just a bluff
Those statements containing information about Moscow’s possible delivery of anti-aircraft missile launchers C-300 to Azerbaijan are not true, an unnamed defense ministry senior official told Russian Interfax agency.
“There are not any agreements on C-300, and they will hardly be signed in the near future. It is impossible to describe the absurdity of the whole thing. Those statements are bluff, a profanation,” the source is quoted by Interfax as saying.
He said “the supply of Russian C-300 rockets to Azerbaijan is impossible today.”
“First of all, [this is impossible] from political points of view. Given the complicated relations between Yerevan and Baku, C-300’s export to Azerbaijan will violate without doubt the balance of forces in the region. Besides, Armenia is Russia’s ally in CSTO, and agreements of such kind between Moscow and Baku can be perceived by Armenia as a betrayal. There were not any official statements on Azerbaijan’s accession to CSTO,” the source stressed.
“The issue’s economical component is not in favor of such agreements,” it also said.
“Azerbaijan can hardly deal with Russia over a contract that costs its country budget’s one-third,” it added.