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ARE WE SACRIFICING OUR CHILDREN FOR RUSSIA'S WELFARE?
Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview - 20 March 2015, 14:24
Mr. Badasyan, Serzh Sargsyan has announced that Armenia is concerned
about Russian supply of weapons to Azerbaijan and called to attend
to this issue. Yesterday there was another incident at the border,
and as a result three Armenian soldiers were killed, four were
injured. Do you see a link between these two events?
I think, Serzh Sargsyan was right, but whether he tells or not, the
enemy's sabotages happen every day, and I don't think this is the
result of one day. Almost every day they get ready [for attacks] and
it is expected at any moment. It is true that Russia does not have
a hand in it but Azerbaijan is encouraged by Russia's attitude. In
this regard, Azerbaijan is trying to become a factor in the region,
launch military actions. My opinion on Serzh Sargsyan's statement
is positive but he should have made it earlier, his entire policy
should have been aimed at strengthening Armenia, strengthening its
independence because by handing all our economic levers to Russia,
increasing our dependence on Russia year by year, Armenia has exposed
itself to danger, and hence today's situation. Formerly, Azerbaijan
respected us out of fear, and now it is no longer afraid of us and
will not respect because respect should be mutual. Because we have a
ceasefire, there is no respect because there is no fear, they used to
be afraid. As soon as Armenia started giving up its positions on the
international arena, handing everything to Russia, the war of snipers
and reconnaissance actions started. This results in today's victims.
Serzh Sargsyan's statement will not be worth a penny unless Serzh
Sargsyan continues from now on with dramatic steps to eliminate
our dependence on the Russian Federation. In other words, return of
economic levers must be ensured, security, independence and the other
issues must be included on the agenda. When you give away everything
to them, even ordinary citizens of Russia stop respecting Armenia
because we have given away everything for them for nothing. The
impression is that the Armenian people are ready to give away the
lives of their children, their lives, everything else they have for
the sake of Russia's interests and wellbeing.
Is Russia replying to Armenia with blood when it tries to rebel
against its policy?
Apparently, we can assume so because I don't think the developments
in Gyumri, tension at the border, the escalation in August, as well
as in early January were accidental. All these things are instigated
by Russia to place Armenia in a situation which would enable them to
play the Karabakh card easily. Karabakh is at stake.
I think the government of Armenia must do everything to establish
law and order in Armenia, social justice must dominate the Armenian
world, Armenia and Artsakh, because the most important weapon of a
strong army is restoration of social justice in the society. Next,
on the international arena, there is no need to clutch to the Russian
Federation for external guarantees because throughout the past 100
years of its history Russia, independent from its model of governance,
has always resolved its issues with Turkey and Azerbaijan at the
expense of the lives and territories of Armenians. This can't go on,
Armenia must change its foreign policy, it must act in a dignified
manner. If it acts without dignity, it will be treated as one without
dignity, so a dignified policy must be conducted.
Why does Serzh Sargsyan make this statement now when the same
government used to explain sale of Russian weapon as ordinary business?
I think Armenia does not enjoy the respect of the EEU member states,
even their presidents. We have seen the neglectful attitude of
Lukashenko, or Nazarbayev, Putin's attitude is known for a long time
now. Putin expresses his opinion through Zhirinovsky, Lavrov and
others but we also saw how others treat the president of Armenia and
Serzh Sargsyan did not comment on it because he has served this to
Russia on a tray.
It turns out that Serzh Sargsyan has nothing to lose if he tells such
a thing to Russia?
Not actually that he has nothing to lose, I may be wrong but I'll try
to make myself believe that he has realized the need for dignity in
foreign relations, the need to protect the independence of Armenia
with dignity because Armenia has lost its sovereignty in every aspect.
Why did we have that case with Gazprom? Why did we entirely give away
ARG to Russia? And if our citizens are late with paying the bill, they
switch off gas? Why did all these debts accrue? It means he gave up
voluntarily. What does it mean Armenia has no right to import gas from
other places for 40 years? What if we discover gas in Armenia? Will
Armenia be obliged to give it away to Russia? What servility is this?
Who would respect such a head of state?
20 years ago we counteracted to Azerbaijan's aggression with
dignity and we said our say, we defended our independence and
self-determination in Karabakh with weapon. Very specifically, in a
language that was understood by the international community, we said
our say and we earned the respect of the international community and
this respect helps us survive today.
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/interview/view/33801
Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview - 20 March 2015, 14:24
Mr. Badasyan, Serzh Sargsyan has announced that Armenia is concerned
about Russian supply of weapons to Azerbaijan and called to attend
to this issue. Yesterday there was another incident at the border,
and as a result three Armenian soldiers were killed, four were
injured. Do you see a link between these two events?
I think, Serzh Sargsyan was right, but whether he tells or not, the
enemy's sabotages happen every day, and I don't think this is the
result of one day. Almost every day they get ready [for attacks] and
it is expected at any moment. It is true that Russia does not have
a hand in it but Azerbaijan is encouraged by Russia's attitude. In
this regard, Azerbaijan is trying to become a factor in the region,
launch military actions. My opinion on Serzh Sargsyan's statement
is positive but he should have made it earlier, his entire policy
should have been aimed at strengthening Armenia, strengthening its
independence because by handing all our economic levers to Russia,
increasing our dependence on Russia year by year, Armenia has exposed
itself to danger, and hence today's situation. Formerly, Azerbaijan
respected us out of fear, and now it is no longer afraid of us and
will not respect because respect should be mutual. Because we have a
ceasefire, there is no respect because there is no fear, they used to
be afraid. As soon as Armenia started giving up its positions on the
international arena, handing everything to Russia, the war of snipers
and reconnaissance actions started. This results in today's victims.
Serzh Sargsyan's statement will not be worth a penny unless Serzh
Sargsyan continues from now on with dramatic steps to eliminate
our dependence on the Russian Federation. In other words, return of
economic levers must be ensured, security, independence and the other
issues must be included on the agenda. When you give away everything
to them, even ordinary citizens of Russia stop respecting Armenia
because we have given away everything for them for nothing. The
impression is that the Armenian people are ready to give away the
lives of their children, their lives, everything else they have for
the sake of Russia's interests and wellbeing.
Is Russia replying to Armenia with blood when it tries to rebel
against its policy?
Apparently, we can assume so because I don't think the developments
in Gyumri, tension at the border, the escalation in August, as well
as in early January were accidental. All these things are instigated
by Russia to place Armenia in a situation which would enable them to
play the Karabakh card easily. Karabakh is at stake.
I think the government of Armenia must do everything to establish
law and order in Armenia, social justice must dominate the Armenian
world, Armenia and Artsakh, because the most important weapon of a
strong army is restoration of social justice in the society. Next,
on the international arena, there is no need to clutch to the Russian
Federation for external guarantees because throughout the past 100
years of its history Russia, independent from its model of governance,
has always resolved its issues with Turkey and Azerbaijan at the
expense of the lives and territories of Armenians. This can't go on,
Armenia must change its foreign policy, it must act in a dignified
manner. If it acts without dignity, it will be treated as one without
dignity, so a dignified policy must be conducted.
Why does Serzh Sargsyan make this statement now when the same
government used to explain sale of Russian weapon as ordinary business?
I think Armenia does not enjoy the respect of the EEU member states,
even their presidents. We have seen the neglectful attitude of
Lukashenko, or Nazarbayev, Putin's attitude is known for a long time
now. Putin expresses his opinion through Zhirinovsky, Lavrov and
others but we also saw how others treat the president of Armenia and
Serzh Sargsyan did not comment on it because he has served this to
Russia on a tray.
It turns out that Serzh Sargsyan has nothing to lose if he tells such
a thing to Russia?
Not actually that he has nothing to lose, I may be wrong but I'll try
to make myself believe that he has realized the need for dignity in
foreign relations, the need to protect the independence of Armenia
with dignity because Armenia has lost its sovereignty in every aspect.
Why did we have that case with Gazprom? Why did we entirely give away
ARG to Russia? And if our citizens are late with paying the bill, they
switch off gas? Why did all these debts accrue? It means he gave up
voluntarily. What does it mean Armenia has no right to import gas from
other places for 40 years? What if we discover gas in Armenia? Will
Armenia be obliged to give it away to Russia? What servility is this?
Who would respect such a head of state?
20 years ago we counteracted to Azerbaijan's aggression with
dignity and we said our say, we defended our independence and
self-determination in Karabakh with weapon. Very specifically, in a
language that was understood by the international community, we said
our say and we earned the respect of the international community and
this respect helps us survive today.
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/interview/view/33801