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IN ARMENIA, UNANIMOUS PRAISE FOR RUSSIA'S MESSAGE ON KARABAKH
http://asbarez.com/115772/in-armenia-unanimous-praise-for-russias-message-on-karabakh/
Monday, November 4th, 2013
Armenian and Russian flags in Gyumri, Armenia
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)-Armenia's leading political groups praised the
commander of Russian troops station in the country for stating that
his forces could fight on the Armenian side if Azerbaijan attempts
a military solution to Nagorno-Karabakh.
Colonel Andrey Ruzinsky made the statement in a recent interview with
a Russian Defense Ministry newspaper. He cited Russia's "obligations
within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO)."
Azerbaijani officials were quick to condemn the statement. They
said that since Karabakh is an internationally recognized part of
Azerbaijan an Azerbaijani attempt to reconquer the disputed territory
cannot be considered an attack on Armenia warranting military action
by the latter's CSTO allies.
"This is an indicator of poor subordination in the Russian state
hierarchy," Mubariz Gurbanli, the deputy executive secretary of
Azerbaijan's ruling party, told the Turan news agency. "Under a
normal state system a soldier making such a statement would have been
kicked out."
Armenian reaction was diametrically opposite. The chief spokesman for
the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), Eduard Sharmazanov, said
Russia thus openly questioned Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh.
"This is a clear message to Azerbaijan's leadership that in case
of restarting hostilities they will find themselves in a very bad
situation," Sharmazanov told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).
Aghvan Vartanian, a leader of the opposition Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, called the Russian commander's remark "unprecedented." "It
means something," he said.
"Of course for us the key thing is to be able to defend us and
Nagorno-Karabakh by ourselves. But CSTO member states have certain
obligations here," added Vartanian.
Tevan Poghosian, a parliament deputy representing the opposition
Zharangutyun party, claimed that the statement reflects mediating
powers' reluctance to help Azerbaijan regain control over Karabakh.
"They realize that Artsakh is not part of Azerbaijan," he said,
referring to Russia, France and the United States.
http://asbarez.com/115772/in-armenia-unanimous-praise-for-russias-message-on-karabakh/
Monday, November 4th, 2013
Armenian and Russian flags in Gyumri, Armenia
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)-Armenia's leading political groups praised the
commander of Russian troops station in the country for stating that
his forces could fight on the Armenian side if Azerbaijan attempts
a military solution to Nagorno-Karabakh.
Colonel Andrey Ruzinsky made the statement in a recent interview with
a Russian Defense Ministry newspaper. He cited Russia's "obligations
within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO)."
Azerbaijani officials were quick to condemn the statement. They
said that since Karabakh is an internationally recognized part of
Azerbaijan an Azerbaijani attempt to reconquer the disputed territory
cannot be considered an attack on Armenia warranting military action
by the latter's CSTO allies.
"This is an indicator of poor subordination in the Russian state
hierarchy," Mubariz Gurbanli, the deputy executive secretary of
Azerbaijan's ruling party, told the Turan news agency. "Under a
normal state system a soldier making such a statement would have been
kicked out."
Armenian reaction was diametrically opposite. The chief spokesman for
the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), Eduard Sharmazanov, said
Russia thus openly questioned Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh.
"This is a clear message to Azerbaijan's leadership that in case
of restarting hostilities they will find themselves in a very bad
situation," Sharmazanov told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).
Aghvan Vartanian, a leader of the opposition Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, called the Russian commander's remark "unprecedented." "It
means something," he said.
"Of course for us the key thing is to be able to defend us and
Nagorno-Karabakh by ourselves. But CSTO member states have certain
obligations here," added Vartanian.
Tevan Poghosian, a parliament deputy representing the opposition
Zharangutyun party, claimed that the statement reflects mediating
powers' reluctance to help Azerbaijan regain control over Karabakh.
"They realize that Artsakh is not part of Azerbaijan," he said,
referring to Russia, France and the United States.