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Araz Azimov: â€œLeasing the station to US not yet discussedâ€

19 September 2007 13:03 (UTC +04:00)

The contract signed with Russia on leasing Gabala Radar reflects this point: â€œStationâ€™s future destiny is still unknown. Azerbaijan leased this station out to Russia till 2012. Russia will not lease this station in 2012 and it will stop functioning. Or it will be used by US, Russia, Azerbaijan. We do not yet discuss leasing Gabala only to US. Gabala radar is possibly different form US missile defense system. In this case the station needs to be modernizedâ€. Mr. Azimov underlined that Azerbaijan should think about its security first of all: â€œThis station is very valuable. Its renovation is very significant. This station could be used in large format. But it also increases the risk. This stationâ€™s activity also depends on the activity of Russiaâ€™s analogical stations. Mr. Azimov said that he does not understand the reason for Iranâ€™s concerns regarding Gabala radar station: â€œIran is our neighbor and relations between us are developing. There is tension around Iran, but we hope that the problem will find its peaceful solutionâ€./APA/