ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN MILITARY AGREEMENTS SIGNED.

Meeting in Yerevan May 2 and 3, defense ministers Pavel Grachev and Vazgen Sarkiziian signed 13 agreements and protocols on Russian-Armenian military cooperation. The significant documents cover planning and conduct of joint military exercises, personnel training, cooperation in air defense, the status of Russian military units in Armenia, and employment of Armenian personnel at Russian military bases. From the standpoint of potential long-term consequences, the most significant document is a protocol (statement of intent) regarding approaches toward creating a Russian-Armenian joint group of forces and using that grouping in a coalition mode in the Transcaucasus. Grachev and other Russian military officials expressed hope that Georgia and, eventually, Azerbaijan would such a regional coalition. (Noyan-Tapan, May 6; Interfax, May 3 and 4).

Enver Pasha’s Body to be Returned to Turkey for Reburial.