MORE RUSSIAN JETS DEPLOYED IN ARMENIA.

On June 18, four MiG-29 interceptor aircraft arrived in Yerevan from Russia, bringing to a reported sixteen the number of such jets deployed by Russian forces in Armenia. Welcoming the planes on landing, Armenia’s Defense Minister and Lieutenant-General Vagharshak Harutiunian intimated to those present that additional MiG-29s are due to be deployed. The top Russian military commanders in Armenia, on hand at the welcoming ceremony, described the mission of these planes and of their forces in general as “defense of the southern borders of the CIS” (Azg, Noyan-Tapan, June 18-19).

Russia began the deployment of MiG-29s in Armenia last December, replacing obsolete MiG-21 aircraft. In a parallel program, Russia is deploying S-300 surface-to-air missiles in Armenia in place of older systems. The deployments are billed as a part of the CIS joint air defense system but constitute in fact a Russian-Armenian bilateral undertaking (see the Monitor, February 22, March 4, April 16, 23; Fortnight in Review, April 23; and see Georgia item).

Yesterday the Armenian National Philharmonic played the Russian and Armenian anthems and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture, complete with gun salvos, for Russian soldiers and airmen at the Giumri base where the MIG-29s are to be stationed (Itar-Tass, June 20).

RUSSIAN JETS VIOLATE GEORGIAN AIRSPACE; UNITED STATES TO DELIVER CONTROL SYSTEM.