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PROMISE TO CONVICT PERMYAKOV AT 102ND RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IN ARMENIA IS ALREADY A BIG GESTURE OF RUSSIA
ArmInfo's Interview with Sergey Grinyayev, Director General of the
Center for Strategic Assessments and Forecasts
by David Stepanyan
Wednesday, March 18, 09:31
Over two months have passed since the murder of the Avetisyans'
family in Gyumri, however, the information disseminated by the Russian
law-enforcers conducting the "Permyakov case" is nothing more but
regular statements saying that "Valery Permyakov should serve his
sentence in Russia". So, instead of clearing up the unstable situation,
the law-enforcers aggravate it. Don't you find it strange?
How can you comment on this given the rumors about possible withdrawal
of the Russian 102nd military base from Armenia?
I perfectly realize the seriousness of the crime and the possible
consequences. I remain committed to the world standards and rules when
assessing the situation around the murder of the Armenian family. The
international practice shows that the military servicemen face charges
and serve their sentence in the Motherland. The United States, for
instance, has the biggest number of military bases abroad, and the
US servicemen have no calm temper. The issue can be discussed if one
finds at least one case when American servicemen undergo judicial
proceedings in the country where the crime has been committed. In
the contrary case, there is nothing to discuss. Therefore, all the
steps being currently taken by the Russian investigation bodies,
as well as the promise to hold the judicial proceeding in the
territory of the Russian base are already a big gesture of Russia
with due regard for the world practice. As regards the destiny of
the 102nd Russian military base, I would not pile up the agony. The
base performs its duties, and one of its key duties is to ensure
stability in the Caucasus. If the situation changes for the better
in the coming years and if one finds the way to diffuse the tension,
there will be no need for the Russian base in the region.
The West's response to the Moscow-Baku strengthening relations (the
matter concerns not only military hardware deals but also energy
projects) is the list of the Azeri officials, who are denied entry to
Western countries. On the other hand, the United States has expressed
willingness to develop relations with Armenia not only in economy but
also in other fields despite the presence of the 102nd military base
in Gyumri. Can one speak of new trends in the geopolitics of the West
and Russia in the South Caucasus?
The world has changed so much that today Russia no longer wants to
play the role of a "milk cow". Yes, Russia has become a pragmatic
player on the world arena. It takes tough and consistent measures when
its interests are affected. The matter concerns Syria, Ukraine and
a number of other events in the past few years. Russia is no longer
ready to be engaged in unresponsive charity. Russia should build its
relations with the focus on its own state interests and it should take
even the most unpopular steps if the situation requires. I think the
situation with the South Stream is such a demonstrative step.
Bulgaria, the old "ally" of Russia, has demonstrated its unwillingness
to display a firm stand. Despite its seeming commitment to maintaining
the pro-Russian policy, Serbia also refused to sign a number of
agreements with Moscow during Putin's visit to Belgrade. In such a
situation, Moscow's decision on the South Stream was quite expected. I
suppose quite many people should draw relevant conclusions from
that situation.
Has the crisis around Ukraine strengthened or weakened the superpowers'
positions in the South Caucasus? Has Ukraine adjusted the positions
of the USA, Russia and the EU in the region?
Yes, the crisis around Ukraine has adjusted Russia's positions, which
have become tougher. Today Moscow is ready for decisive steps. It is
even ready to use armed forces and does not yield to "arm-twisting".
This is also a signal for all those who want to go along the same
path with Moscow. I think it is high time for those countries to find
their position.
The establishment of an actual customs point on the border between
Russia and Belarus has once again revealed the flaws of the Eurasian
Economic Union and the gap between realpolitik and Moscow's integration
projects. Can one say that Eurasian integration is still relevant?
This is the consequence of the developments around Ukraine and
the changes in the global policy. Unfortunately, Minsk wants to
benefit to the fullest extent from the current hard situation of
Moscow. Today many products, whose entry to Russia from a number of
European countries is banned, enter Russia via Belarus. There have
recently been some confusions about the Russian oil refining at the
Belarusian plants and petroleum deliveries back to Russia under the
guise of solvents and technical fluids. There have also been other
facts of "tactless" behavior of Minsk. However, it is impossible to
ceaselessly display such an attitude to Russia. Enough's enough. As
regards the relevance of the EEU, today Eurasian integration is topical
more than ever. The ideas of revival of the transcontinental transport
corridors like the Great Silk Road and revival of the Russian Northern
Sea Route open grand opportunities. A few years ago, on Armenian media
pages we spoke of Armenia's role in these processes as "the gateway to
the global world". Armenia and Armenian Diaspora can and should become
the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) economy proxies on the world market.
Unfortunately, we were not heard at that time and we remain unheard
now. However, no think time is left.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=66EA47D0-CD38-11E4-A89F0EB7C0D21663
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
ArmInfo's Interview with Sergey Grinyayev, Director General of the
Center for Strategic Assessments and Forecasts
by David Stepanyan
Wednesday, March 18, 09:31
Over two months have passed since the murder of the Avetisyans'
family in Gyumri, however, the information disseminated by the Russian
law-enforcers conducting the "Permyakov case" is nothing more but
regular statements saying that "Valery Permyakov should serve his
sentence in Russia". So, instead of clearing up the unstable situation,
the law-enforcers aggravate it. Don't you find it strange?
How can you comment on this given the rumors about possible withdrawal
of the Russian 102nd military base from Armenia?
I perfectly realize the seriousness of the crime and the possible
consequences. I remain committed to the world standards and rules when
assessing the situation around the murder of the Armenian family. The
international practice shows that the military servicemen face charges
and serve their sentence in the Motherland. The United States, for
instance, has the biggest number of military bases abroad, and the
US servicemen have no calm temper. The issue can be discussed if one
finds at least one case when American servicemen undergo judicial
proceedings in the country where the crime has been committed. In
the contrary case, there is nothing to discuss. Therefore, all the
steps being currently taken by the Russian investigation bodies,
as well as the promise to hold the judicial proceeding in the
territory of the Russian base are already a big gesture of Russia
with due regard for the world practice. As regards the destiny of
the 102nd Russian military base, I would not pile up the agony. The
base performs its duties, and one of its key duties is to ensure
stability in the Caucasus. If the situation changes for the better
in the coming years and if one finds the way to diffuse the tension,
there will be no need for the Russian base in the region.
The West's response to the Moscow-Baku strengthening relations (the
matter concerns not only military hardware deals but also energy
projects) is the list of the Azeri officials, who are denied entry to
Western countries. On the other hand, the United States has expressed
willingness to develop relations with Armenia not only in economy but
also in other fields despite the presence of the 102nd military base
in Gyumri. Can one speak of new trends in the geopolitics of the West
and Russia in the South Caucasus?
The world has changed so much that today Russia no longer wants to
play the role of a "milk cow". Yes, Russia has become a pragmatic
player on the world arena. It takes tough and consistent measures when
its interests are affected. The matter concerns Syria, Ukraine and
a number of other events in the past few years. Russia is no longer
ready to be engaged in unresponsive charity. Russia should build its
relations with the focus on its own state interests and it should take
even the most unpopular steps if the situation requires. I think the
situation with the South Stream is such a demonstrative step.
Bulgaria, the old "ally" of Russia, has demonstrated its unwillingness
to display a firm stand. Despite its seeming commitment to maintaining
the pro-Russian policy, Serbia also refused to sign a number of
agreements with Moscow during Putin's visit to Belgrade. In such a
situation, Moscow's decision on the South Stream was quite expected. I
suppose quite many people should draw relevant conclusions from
that situation.
Has the crisis around Ukraine strengthened or weakened the superpowers'
positions in the South Caucasus? Has Ukraine adjusted the positions
of the USA, Russia and the EU in the region?
Yes, the crisis around Ukraine has adjusted Russia's positions, which
have become tougher. Today Moscow is ready for decisive steps. It is
even ready to use armed forces and does not yield to "arm-twisting".
This is also a signal for all those who want to go along the same
path with Moscow. I think it is high time for those countries to find
their position.
The establishment of an actual customs point on the border between
Russia and Belarus has once again revealed the flaws of the Eurasian
Economic Union and the gap between realpolitik and Moscow's integration
projects. Can one say that Eurasian integration is still relevant?
This is the consequence of the developments around Ukraine and
the changes in the global policy. Unfortunately, Minsk wants to
benefit to the fullest extent from the current hard situation of
Moscow. Today many products, whose entry to Russia from a number of
European countries is banned, enter Russia via Belarus. There have
recently been some confusions about the Russian oil refining at the
Belarusian plants and petroleum deliveries back to Russia under the
guise of solvents and technical fluids. There have also been other
facts of "tactless" behavior of Minsk. However, it is impossible to
ceaselessly display such an attitude to Russia. Enough's enough. As
regards the relevance of the EEU, today Eurasian integration is topical
more than ever. The ideas of revival of the transcontinental transport
corridors like the Great Silk Road and revival of the Russian Northern
Sea Route open grand opportunities. A few years ago, on Armenian media
pages we spoke of Armenia's role in these processes as "the gateway to
the global world". Armenia and Armenian Diaspora can and should become
the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) economy proxies on the world market.
Unfortunately, we were not heard at that time and we remain unheard
now. However, no think time is left.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=66EA47D0-CD38-11E4-A89F0EB7C0D21663
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress