SERBIAN WEAPONS GET GREEN LIGHT FOR EXPORT TO ARMENIA

The Serbian government on Wednesday approved a deal enabling the republic's main arms factory to export weapons to Armenia, following a green light from Russia. "The ministry of international economic relations issued a license to the Zastava Weapons factory for exports of arms to Armenia," the government said in a statement. The license was given after a weeks-long dispute between the factory and the government over the $2.5 million (1.9-million-euros) deal to sell guns and rifles to Armenia. Serbia's foreign ministry initially refused to agree to the exports, quoting a possible dispute with Russia over its tense relations with Armenia. Following a protest by the Serbian manufacturer, President Boris Tadic had held talks with Russian diplomats and secured a green light. Serbia considers Russia a traditional ally and relies on Moscow's support in solving the status issue of the disputed UN-run province of Kosovo, later this year. Zastava, based in the central Serbian city of Kragujevac, some 120 kilometers (70 miles) south from Belgrade, is a state-owned factory and needs a government clearance for exports deals.
AFP

Headlines for January 11, 2007

EUROPEAN COURT FAULTS YEREVAN IN LANDMARK RULING
By Ruzanna Stepanian
In a first-ever ruling relating to Armenia, the European Court of Human Rights on Thursday declared illegal the arrest of an Armenian opposition activist who helped to organize an anti-government demonstration ...
U.S. EXPECTS CONTINUED ARMENIAN TROOP PRESENCE IN IRAQ
By Emil Danielyan
The United States expects Armenia to maintain its modest military presence in Iraq after a change in U.S. war strategy announced by President George W. Bush, a senior American diplomat said on Thursday. ...
U.S. SENATOR AGAIN BLOCKS ARMENIA ENVOY NOMINEE
By Emil Danielyan
A U.S. senator on Thursday again blocked the congressional confirmation of President George W. Bush’s nominee to be the next U.S. ambassador to Armenia, citing the latter’s failure to publicly recognize ...
SERBIAN WEAPONS GET GREEN LIGHT FOR EXPORT TO ARMENIA
AFP
The Serbian government on Wednesday approved a deal enabling the republic's main arms factory to export weapons to Armenia, following a green light from Russia. "The ministry of international ...