US HOPES FOR ARMENIA’S PARTICIPATION IN COMING NATO EXERCISE IN AZERBAIJAN

The US hopes that Armenia will take part in Best Cooperative Effort-2004 to be held within Partnership for Peace program in Baku this fall, deputy commander of the US Forces in Europe Charles Wald stated in Yerevan today. According to him, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev personally promised him that the Azeri side will not impede the participation of Armenian servicemen in the measure. Besides, US Ambassador Nicholas Burns is engaged in this issue, he said. “The participation of the Armenian party in these maneuvers will become a considerable step towards the development of the regional cooperation”, the US General noted. In his words, the Armenian military leadership once again confirmed Armenia’s readiness to take part in the exercise.