Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr A. Gasymova / The United States have repeatedly stated that it will not refuse from positioning of its missile shield in Europe, according to Russia's independent military expert Pavel Felgenhauer.
"US's administration several times stated that it would not refuse from positioning of anti-missile defence system (AMD) in Europe. Consequently, Russia and the United States will not be able to achieve a compromise on Gabala," Felgenhauer said to Trend from Moscow on 24 August.
Russian Foreign Ministry stated on 23 August that the condition for Russia's offer to materialise is US's refusal to deploy its anti-missile system in Europe and place anti-missile facilities in space.
"Pentagon does not need Gabala radar station even for a song," the expert said. This station is not good to observe Iran, for it covers not the entire country, and it is impossible to turn the station, he said.
According to him, Gabala station is mostly targeted to US Diego-Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, so it would be more expedient to use Russia's advance warning radar base in Armavir.
US stated on its readiness to jointly exploit Gabala radar station, if Moscow stops objecting positioning of AMD in Europe.
Azerbaijani politician, the director of Caspian's Countries' Political Researches Fund, Vafa Guluzadeh, agreed with Felgenhauer. The US will never refuse from positioning of AMD in Europe, he said.
"The United States and Russia will not cooperate on Gabala," Guluzadeh said. He explained his position by the fact that Gabala radar station is very old and does not correspond to the US's requirements.
Within the framework of the G-8 summit on 7 June 2007, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, offered US joint exploitation of Gabala Radar Station. He noted the advantage of deployment of Anti-Missile Defence (AMD) elements in Azerbaijan rather in Poland and the Czech Republic. Putin indicated that Gabala Radar Station will enable detection and crack down on rival missiles in the first section of boost trajectory. The remains of the missiles will fall not on European cities but into the sea, which is of great importance, Putin stressed. Later Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that Putin's offer did not imply Iran has nuclear weapons.
"US considers joint use of Gabala as a concession to Russia, while Russia believes the US should make a concession for this proposal," Felgenhauer said.
He noted that it would be very difficult to achieve a compromise on the matter, for the sides stick to absolutely different positions.
Gabala Radar Station situated in the north-west of Azerbaijan was built while the USSR as an important element of the USSR AMD. The 10-year agreement on leasing of the station was signed in 2002. Annual rent charges make up $14mln.