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Former US ambassador to USSR Jack Matlock: â€œArmenian-Russian bilateral co-operation shouldnâ€™t damage to regional securityâ€

19 August 2010 09:46 (UTC +04:00)

The possible prolongation of the Russia-Armenia Gyumri base contract until 2044 during the visit is in the centre of American media and analystsâ€™ attention.

APAâ€™s Washington DC correspondent asked the opinions of a number of American experts. The majority of the experts said the particular contract is dangerous for the region as it may bring armament misbalance. The experts say the region has too many problems and reasons for conflicts already and they donâ€™t need another one.

A former US Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1987-1991), Special assistant to the US president on national security affairs, Senior Director for European and Soviet Affairs on the National Security Council Staff from 1983 until 1986 Jack Matlock said that both Russia and its neighbors like Armenia and others â€œmake too much over military basesâ€.

He believes bilateral co-operation is something which is more important, it shouldnâ€™t damage to regional security: â€œSecurity in the area should be based on regional cooperation. There should be serious discussion of Medvedev’s idea of a new, all-European security arrangementâ€.

He proposes another way of co-operation: â€œIn particular, the countries of the Black and Caspian Sea areas should think in terms of collective security not expansion of existing alliances. Why not try to do more through the OSCE?â€

Pavel Podvig, a researcher at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, expert on military co-operation and security, says such a step from Russiaâ€™s side was predictable.

â€œAs a general observation, I think it is understandable that Russia would like to have something tangible in countries like Armenia - it creates a certain reality on the ground. I don’t think these are threatening developments. At least they shouldn’t be considered as suchâ€ â€“ he added.