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Hello, Odnako ! (nevertheless)
by David Stepanyan
arminfo
Tuesday, November 6, 12:44
On 20 October the known Russian TV reporter Mikhail Leontyev published
in his magazine "Odnako" an article with a meaningful title "In its
present state Armenia is obliged to Russia". The article says about
expediency of Armenia's joining the second after the CIS integration
project at the post-Soviet area - Eurasian Union.
To note, the issue of Armenia's participation in this project, which
is called Putin's project, is still unsettled and today it is the key
issue on the agenda of the Armenian-Russian relations. The adequate
sector of the Armenian society was first of all disgusted not with the
content of the article but with an incorrect form of its writing. But
the anti-Russian circles of Armenia supported by the West and mass
media received from Mr Leontyev a large report about the Russian
"empire policy", turning Armenia into an outpost and saying that
"making friends with Russia has become a burden for the post-soviet
countries", etc.
In general, the statements by a Russian journalist from the near the
Kremlin circles may remind the Armenian government of the fact that it
still has a little time for the complementary tacking between the West
and its northern neighbor. However, the author of the "Odnako" had at
least to chose words when speaking about the nation which is friendly
to the Russians. It is very much possible that the given message will
reach top authorities of Armenia. Nevertheless, such non-diplomatic
attitude of the journalist, which is called Putin's sounding board
in Russia, has reached millions of Armenians living in Armenia and
abroad, and in Russia first of all. The comparing of Armenia with
Kyrgyzia and Moldova and saying that "if not Russia, Armenia simply
would not be on the map", have turned Leontyev into a target of an
active criticizing by certain layers of the Armenian society.
I should say that some parallels made by the author of the article
cause questions. For instance, "Armenia should be more interested in
EurAsian integration than even Russia, as not the "European choice"
but the "Turkish" one is an alternative for Armenia. In this context,
I would like to remind Mr. Leontyev that to assess and speak about the
prospects of Turkey's membership in EU is considered to bad manners
in more or less serious analytical circles. And Turkey, for which the
door to the West is shut down, cannot be interesting to the isolated
Armenia. Moreover, Turkey has been driven into a corner thanks to
the Armenian-Turkish process officially initiated by Armenia. And to
tell about Armenia's dependence on the country, which is a candidate
number one for the regional outlaw, is at least inexpedient. It is
also inexpedient to blame the people of Armenia, not the authorities,
for ingratitude. But it is no secret that Armenia became used to
strictly effect payment in time. I mean, the bargain "Property for
debt" and the expenses of the Armenian party for deployment of the
102-nd Russian military base at the territory of Armenia as well as
repayment of duties on the half a billion debt to Russia. Meanwhile,
Belarus after creation of the false "union state" with Russia does
not hurry up to truly integrate. Simply, Likashenko has got another
reason to lay claims to Russia, which does not want to deliver gas
to Belarus with lower than the inner-Russian tariffs and demands to
repay debts, etc. By the way, membership in the union with Russia
does not at all hinder Lukashenko to whisper with the West from time
to time. I may continue the list. For instance Bulgaria, which is
indebted to Russia for many things, has easily joined NATO, etc.
But it turned out that Mr Leontyev slagged off just Armenia, the
only true ally of Russia at the post-soviet and "post-Warsaw" area,
which has never betrayed Russia.
In general, taking into consideration several factors, which
characterize long, friendly and strategic relations of both states,
the given Eurasian project undoubtedly has chances to be implemented
with participation of Armenia. We have to confess that the possibility
of the true integration with Russia has always been an imperative
for Armenia. In general, the Armenian society is well-minded to the
Russian initiative to integrate at the post-Soviet area. Even critics
are forced to confess that according to public opinion poll, the great
majority of the population of Armenia have been striving to develop
relations with Russia and supporting the integration tendencies. All
this, along with historical memory of the Armenians gives hope that
the society in Armenia will have a respectful attitude to Russia's
initiative to develop Eurasian cooperation not only in the sphere of
economy. Everything depends on conditions. Any country of the world
persecutes its own interests, and that is normal. For this reason,
before thinking about integration, Armenians have to think about
their own interests. To do that, we should try to answer a simple and
direct question - does Russia need Armenia more, or does Armenia need
Russia more?
Armenia is an active member of the CIS and CSTO, a member of a free
economic zone within the CIS. It has turned out that the gas valve
is the most effective and reliable instrument for fulfillment of
foreign political ambitions of Russia, and on the threshold of the
presidential election in Armenia in February 2013, Moscow has got an
excellent chance to affect the leadership of Armenia during the talks
on new gas tariffs. Russian credits and the transfers of Armenian
citizens living in Russia play a great part in the bilateral economic
relations. And finally, the military cooperation, in which Armenia
is interested first of all, taking into consideration the fact that
at present Azerbaijan is the CIS champion on arms purchasing. Moscow
has already transferred to Yerevan modern air defence batteries S-300.
Moreover, the Russian military base is deployed at the territory of
Armenia, and in case of necessity, it will ease weapon delivery.
As we see, facts are in favor of Eurasian integration of Armenia. For
this reason, the blind stance of the official Yerevan regarding
the Eurasian Union is not clear. I don't mean possible pressure
of the West or the hope to get 1,5 bln EUR from Europe, allegedly
promised in case of irreversible movement of Armenia on the way of
"strengthening democracy". Actually, Serzh Sargsyan's government has
been waiting from Moscow for the guarantees of significant financial
and economic as well as political support before the presidential
election, including reasonable gas tariff for Armenia. The former
president Robert Kocharyan made use of such a support. So, it turns
out that Yerevan will specify its position on Eurasian Union only if
it gets the relevant message from Moscow. As for President Putin, he
has not yet visited Armenia, though they announced about his visit
a couple of months ago. It is very much possible that in its turn
Moscow has been waiting for Yerevan to be the first to say about
its wish to join the Eurasian Union. But Russia has been waiting in
vain, as taking into consideration the fact that getting nothing in
exchange, Armenia will hardly refuse the EU against the background
of the forthcoming talks on simplification of the visa regime and
creation of free trade zone with European Union. And of course,
Armenia may refuse the only true level of European integration,
but only in case of the relevant compromises of Moscow.
It is not clear today, what is the Eurasian Union and how it can
positively or negatively affect Armenia. In such conditions, taking
into consideration all above mentioned aspects, Mikhail Leontyev
and other Russian counterparts had to explain their partners on CIS
and CSTO the core, goals and privileges of reintegration into a new
quality post-Soviet area, but not to talk to the friendly nation
according to the principle "you are nothing and have got no name".
Actually, to be honest, today Russia can really affect resolving of
the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict not in favor of Armenia. But if with a
help of Moscow Yerevan loses Karabakh, it will have nothing to do than
to turn by 180 degrees to the West. As for Russia, it will finally
lose Armenia and it is not ruled out, will get the second Georgia
in the person of Armenia, and will have nothing to do than, almost
two hundred years later, to go back home behind the Greater Caucasus
Mountain Range, and lose a very much important geo-strategic position.
Taking into consideration the fact that today the North Caucasus is
in undeclared war, the situation may become even more complicated for
the Kremlin. For this reason, telling the Armenians "where will you
go?", Mr Leontyev and other similar men being lame under the hat,
and working according to the principle "what do you want", should
think a little bit. Although it is paradoxical, but Russia wrote off
a state debt of Tajikistan - $300 mln, but did not write off even a
cent of Armenia. This is evidence of Armenia's significance to Russia,
and of the fact that Armenia is a very much important zone of interests
for Russia, and by all possible means Moscow is trying to preserve its
political, military and strategic as well as economic presence in the
republic. For this reason, undoubtedly, one can induce Armenia to join
the Russian re-integration project, but only through application of
the so-called "soft force", economically grounding the benefits of the
idea of the Eurasian Union, but not to wave a blunt axe and act like
an "elephant in a china shop". Against such a background, the harsh,
poor and narrow-minded anti-Armenian rhetoric cannot obviously help
in this matter, as in the mono-national and still pro-Russian Armenia,
it can cause nothing else than antipathy to everything Russian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
by David Stepanyan
arminfo
Tuesday, November 6, 12:44
On 20 October the known Russian TV reporter Mikhail Leontyev published
in his magazine "Odnako" an article with a meaningful title "In its
present state Armenia is obliged to Russia". The article says about
expediency of Armenia's joining the second after the CIS integration
project at the post-Soviet area - Eurasian Union.
To note, the issue of Armenia's participation in this project, which
is called Putin's project, is still unsettled and today it is the key
issue on the agenda of the Armenian-Russian relations. The adequate
sector of the Armenian society was first of all disgusted not with the
content of the article but with an incorrect form of its writing. But
the anti-Russian circles of Armenia supported by the West and mass
media received from Mr Leontyev a large report about the Russian
"empire policy", turning Armenia into an outpost and saying that
"making friends with Russia has become a burden for the post-soviet
countries", etc.
In general, the statements by a Russian journalist from the near the
Kremlin circles may remind the Armenian government of the fact that it
still has a little time for the complementary tacking between the West
and its northern neighbor. However, the author of the "Odnako" had at
least to chose words when speaking about the nation which is friendly
to the Russians. It is very much possible that the given message will
reach top authorities of Armenia. Nevertheless, such non-diplomatic
attitude of the journalist, which is called Putin's sounding board
in Russia, has reached millions of Armenians living in Armenia and
abroad, and in Russia first of all. The comparing of Armenia with
Kyrgyzia and Moldova and saying that "if not Russia, Armenia simply
would not be on the map", have turned Leontyev into a target of an
active criticizing by certain layers of the Armenian society.
I should say that some parallels made by the author of the article
cause questions. For instance, "Armenia should be more interested in
EurAsian integration than even Russia, as not the "European choice"
but the "Turkish" one is an alternative for Armenia. In this context,
I would like to remind Mr. Leontyev that to assess and speak about the
prospects of Turkey's membership in EU is considered to bad manners
in more or less serious analytical circles. And Turkey, for which the
door to the West is shut down, cannot be interesting to the isolated
Armenia. Moreover, Turkey has been driven into a corner thanks to
the Armenian-Turkish process officially initiated by Armenia. And to
tell about Armenia's dependence on the country, which is a candidate
number one for the regional outlaw, is at least inexpedient. It is
also inexpedient to blame the people of Armenia, not the authorities,
for ingratitude. But it is no secret that Armenia became used to
strictly effect payment in time. I mean, the bargain "Property for
debt" and the expenses of the Armenian party for deployment of the
102-nd Russian military base at the territory of Armenia as well as
repayment of duties on the half a billion debt to Russia. Meanwhile,
Belarus after creation of the false "union state" with Russia does
not hurry up to truly integrate. Simply, Likashenko has got another
reason to lay claims to Russia, which does not want to deliver gas
to Belarus with lower than the inner-Russian tariffs and demands to
repay debts, etc. By the way, membership in the union with Russia
does not at all hinder Lukashenko to whisper with the West from time
to time. I may continue the list. For instance Bulgaria, which is
indebted to Russia for many things, has easily joined NATO, etc.
But it turned out that Mr Leontyev slagged off just Armenia, the
only true ally of Russia at the post-soviet and "post-Warsaw" area,
which has never betrayed Russia.
In general, taking into consideration several factors, which
characterize long, friendly and strategic relations of both states,
the given Eurasian project undoubtedly has chances to be implemented
with participation of Armenia. We have to confess that the possibility
of the true integration with Russia has always been an imperative
for Armenia. In general, the Armenian society is well-minded to the
Russian initiative to integrate at the post-Soviet area. Even critics
are forced to confess that according to public opinion poll, the great
majority of the population of Armenia have been striving to develop
relations with Russia and supporting the integration tendencies. All
this, along with historical memory of the Armenians gives hope that
the society in Armenia will have a respectful attitude to Russia's
initiative to develop Eurasian cooperation not only in the sphere of
economy. Everything depends on conditions. Any country of the world
persecutes its own interests, and that is normal. For this reason,
before thinking about integration, Armenians have to think about
their own interests. To do that, we should try to answer a simple and
direct question - does Russia need Armenia more, or does Armenia need
Russia more?
Armenia is an active member of the CIS and CSTO, a member of a free
economic zone within the CIS. It has turned out that the gas valve
is the most effective and reliable instrument for fulfillment of
foreign political ambitions of Russia, and on the threshold of the
presidential election in Armenia in February 2013, Moscow has got an
excellent chance to affect the leadership of Armenia during the talks
on new gas tariffs. Russian credits and the transfers of Armenian
citizens living in Russia play a great part in the bilateral economic
relations. And finally, the military cooperation, in which Armenia
is interested first of all, taking into consideration the fact that
at present Azerbaijan is the CIS champion on arms purchasing. Moscow
has already transferred to Yerevan modern air defence batteries S-300.
Moreover, the Russian military base is deployed at the territory of
Armenia, and in case of necessity, it will ease weapon delivery.
As we see, facts are in favor of Eurasian integration of Armenia. For
this reason, the blind stance of the official Yerevan regarding
the Eurasian Union is not clear. I don't mean possible pressure
of the West or the hope to get 1,5 bln EUR from Europe, allegedly
promised in case of irreversible movement of Armenia on the way of
"strengthening democracy". Actually, Serzh Sargsyan's government has
been waiting from Moscow for the guarantees of significant financial
and economic as well as political support before the presidential
election, including reasonable gas tariff for Armenia. The former
president Robert Kocharyan made use of such a support. So, it turns
out that Yerevan will specify its position on Eurasian Union only if
it gets the relevant message from Moscow. As for President Putin, he
has not yet visited Armenia, though they announced about his visit
a couple of months ago. It is very much possible that in its turn
Moscow has been waiting for Yerevan to be the first to say about
its wish to join the Eurasian Union. But Russia has been waiting in
vain, as taking into consideration the fact that getting nothing in
exchange, Armenia will hardly refuse the EU against the background
of the forthcoming talks on simplification of the visa regime and
creation of free trade zone with European Union. And of course,
Armenia may refuse the only true level of European integration,
but only in case of the relevant compromises of Moscow.
It is not clear today, what is the Eurasian Union and how it can
positively or negatively affect Armenia. In such conditions, taking
into consideration all above mentioned aspects, Mikhail Leontyev
and other Russian counterparts had to explain their partners on CIS
and CSTO the core, goals and privileges of reintegration into a new
quality post-Soviet area, but not to talk to the friendly nation
according to the principle "you are nothing and have got no name".
Actually, to be honest, today Russia can really affect resolving of
the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict not in favor of Armenia. But if with a
help of Moscow Yerevan loses Karabakh, it will have nothing to do than
to turn by 180 degrees to the West. As for Russia, it will finally
lose Armenia and it is not ruled out, will get the second Georgia
in the person of Armenia, and will have nothing to do than, almost
two hundred years later, to go back home behind the Greater Caucasus
Mountain Range, and lose a very much important geo-strategic position.
Taking into consideration the fact that today the North Caucasus is
in undeclared war, the situation may become even more complicated for
the Kremlin. For this reason, telling the Armenians "where will you
go?", Mr Leontyev and other similar men being lame under the hat,
and working according to the principle "what do you want", should
think a little bit. Although it is paradoxical, but Russia wrote off
a state debt of Tajikistan - $300 mln, but did not write off even a
cent of Armenia. This is evidence of Armenia's significance to Russia,
and of the fact that Armenia is a very much important zone of interests
for Russia, and by all possible means Moscow is trying to preserve its
political, military and strategic as well as economic presence in the
republic. For this reason, undoubtedly, one can induce Armenia to join
the Russian re-integration project, but only through application of
the so-called "soft force", economically grounding the benefits of the
idea of the Eurasian Union, but not to wave a blunt axe and act like
an "elephant in a china shop". Against such a background, the harsh,
poor and narrow-minded anti-Armenian rhetoric cannot obviously help
in this matter, as in the mono-national and still pro-Russian Armenia,
it can cause nothing else than antipathy to everything Russian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress