June 15, 2007 :: News
Russian President Vladimir Putin's surprise offer during the G-8 meeting in Germany to share the Galaba radar station in Azerbaijan with the U.S. as part of a new ballistic missile defense also took Azeris by surprise, despite an endorsement from Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, that "This is a new element in [Azerbaijan's] strategic cooperation with the two countries." Azeri political leaders have criticized the legality of President Putin's offer and the wisdom of the plan itself. "If Russia intends to allow it to be used by a third country, it must discuss the issue with Azerbaijan," said Ziyafat Askerov, vice-speaker of Azerbaijan's parliament. Citing Article 4 of the Gabala radar station lease agreement, he said the station cannot be handed over to a third party without Azerbaijan's permission. The effect of increased use of the facility could also have serious ecological effects. "If the US is allowed to use the radar station, its capacities will be increased, which means the damage being done to the environment will grow too," said independent military expert Azad Isazade. "The clouds reflect radar waves onto densely-populated areas of the country nearby. Officially, they say the station is harmless but independent medical studies suggest the contrary."
The Galaba radar facility is 200 kilometers from the Azeri-Iranian border, and currently monitors much of Asia, including Iran, as well as much of Africa and islands in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The Russian government has a ten year lease on the facility. (Article)
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