The Russian Blockade of Armenia

[Red Brigade]

Link (http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=299)

The Russians are beginning to create many problems to us.We must reduce their influence in Armenia.

The Russians are creating problems to us in the Georgian Samtskhe-Javakheti region, in order to start a conflict between Armenia and Georgia.Such a conflict would have catastrophic consequences to us.Russia is attempting to isolate Armenia in order to make us dependent on them.

1)Russia is promoting the Turkish-Caucasian railway Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku, designed to circumvent Armenia or the Iranian-Caucasian Kazvin-Resht-Astara railroad, which also would be built around Armenia.

2)Russia is applying maximum effort not to allow realization of the gas pipeline project between Armenia,Iran and Ukraine.The U.S.A. are against this project as well since they want the total isolation of Iran.This might result Iran to prefer Turkey for the project of the gas pipeline, instead of Armenia.Note that Iran wishes to strengthen ties with Eastern European countries (like Ukraine) in order not to isolate herself.Link regarding Iran and her policy. (http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=248)

3)The Russian inteligence is supporting separatism Samtskhe-Javakheti provoked a growth of tension in Armenian-Georgian relations.There have been progroms against few Gerogians.
Read this "Made in Russia": The Armenian Dynamite for Georgia (http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=285) .

[KotayKoskesh]

if you make a list like that of the problems US is creating for Armenia itll never finish and we need to be allied with one.. im sorry to say but this is a pointless thread

[Dave]

2)Russia is applying maximum effort not to allow realization of the gas pipeline project between Armenia,Iran and Ukraine.The U.S.A. are against this project as well since they want the total isolation of Iran.This might result Iran to prefer Turkey for the project of the gas pipeline, instead of Armenia.Note that Iran wishes to strengthen ties with Eastern European countries (like Ukraine) in order not to isolate herself.Link regarding Iran and her policy.

There are only 2 possible routes for the gas pipeline - Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Europe and Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Black Sea, Ukraine, Europe. Both of those routes pass through Armenia, so I don't think we should worry about that.

[Nemesis]

There's no need to worry about Russia, worry about the west and their very ulterior motives. It would only be in their interest to pull Armenia away from Russia because in so doing, Armenia would stand alone and that's exactly what they want. Armenia is in their way.

[Thai-Samurai]

No way it's China that wants Armenia. If China can pull Armenia toward China, they can use our land because there are so many Chinese and not enough dogs and poodles to eat over there. Plus when the Yang-tze (Yellow River) Floods where are they going to send all that water, Lake Sevan of course. It's already risen a whole meter, CONSPIRACIES!!!!

[Armenian]

Floods where are they going to send all that water, Lake Sevan of course. It's already risen a whole meter, CONSPIRACIES!!!!

I was very happy to see that when I was at the lake a few times during July. Just goes to show you that some "conspiracies" are good.

Regarding this topic of discussion: I wish Armenia had neighbors such as Germany, France or Italy. That harsh fact is that we don't. Our long and bloody history has dealt us a very sad state. A thousand years ago Asia Minor (Anatolia) and the Southern Caucasus was a center of civilization. Today, however, the area in question is a semi-primitive Turko-Islamic cesspool.

Good or bad, today our only two viable neighbors, strategically and economically speaking, are Russian and Iran. The foreign policies of Iran and Russian are more-or-less in union with Armenia's. Regardless of how troubled and problamatic Russia is today, Washington can't be trusted. Washington is in bed with Ankara and Tel-Aviv.

The aforementioned have grand agendas for the region and Armenia simply does not fit in, therefore, it gets in the way. Since they can't attack Armenia like they attacked Serbia and Iraq, they are using other methods - manipulating internal political issues within Yerevan and using lots of money as a lure.

Only fools believe the filth being spewed out of Washington today.

My only wish is for Russia to wake up from its deep sleep and see that a secure and properous Armenia is very crucial to its long term prosperity and survival. As for Iran, they are fine just the way they are. Also, I am hopeing that they get the A-bomb as soon as possible.

[Siamanto]

Regarding this topic of discussion: I wish Armenia had neighbors such as Germany, France or Italy. That harsh fact is that we don't. Our long and bloody history has dealt us a very sad state. A thousand years ago Asia Minor (Anatolia) and the Southern Caucasus was a center of civilization. Today, however, the area in question is a semi-primitive Turko-Islamic cesspool.

I totally agree!





Good or bad, today our only two viable neighbors, strategically and economically speaking, are Russian and Iran. The foreign policies of Iran and Russian are more-or-less in union with Armenia's.

I agree as for Russia and Iran.





Regardless of how troubled and problamatic Russia is today, Washington can't be trusted. Washington is in bed with Ankara and Tel-Aviv.
The aforementioned have grand agendas for the region and Armenia simply does not fit in, therefore, it gets in the way. Since they can't attack Armenia like they attacked Serbia and Iraq, they are using other methods - manipulating internal political issues within Yerevan and using lots of money as a lure.

Only fools believe the filth being spewed out of Washington today.

As for the West - i.e. the EU and/or the US - I would prefer to see a rather balanced and friendly relations that may neutralize - at least - to a certain degree any anti-Armenian agenda! In other words; all depends what would be the costs and what would be the benefits. If beneficial to our interests, yes; otherwise, no.




My only wish is for Russia to wake up from its deep sleep and see that a secure and properous Armenia is very crucial to its long term prosperity and survival.
True. At times, Russia behaves like an employer who does not value the company's human resources!





As for Iran, they are fine just the way they are. Also, I am hopeing that they get the A-bomb as soon as possible.
I find that the West's attitude a bit hypocritical, considering that Israel and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons.

[ArmenianKid]

I find that the West's attitude a bit hypocritical, considering that Israel and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons.[/QUOTE]

And that the US has the largest nuclear stockpile in the world.

[Red Brigade]

if you make a list like that of the problems US is creating for Armenia itll never finish and we need to be allied with one.. im sorry to say but this is a pointless thread


Well i never said that the Americans are any better and no doubt they are causing more problems as well.

The fact is that we should make the Russian influence lesser in Armenia , unless we will become their vassal state.

And this thread is not pointless.Those are facts and the fact is that we have no allies and we should stop being so dependent on Russia, because the Russians are the same pish as the Americans.

[KotayKoskesh]

Well i never said that the Americans are any better and no doubt they are causing more problems as well.

The fact is that we should make the Russian influence lesser in Armenia , unless we will become their vassal state.

And this thread is not pointless.Those are facts and the fact is that we have no allies and we should stop being so dependent on Russia, because the Russians are the same pish as the Americans.

being allied to Russia has numerous advantages for one they just gave weapons to Armenia from their georgian bases.. also they would protect us for sure if any conflict would errupt ....remmeber the cold war the countries that didnt ally with America or Russia are now third world countries... the same stands for now except it only affects the countries who are clsoe to Russia because Russia has lost influence and for America they are allied with the whole earth almost ...there are very few countries in the world that are not allied with either Russia or US ...the countries who are not allied now where the ones who were not allied back then ..some are rich some are poor ... but no country with such a poor economy ( at the current state not to talk about the trumendous inflation rate in Armenia ) can stay un-allied with both of them... dont forget

In the real world, thers no such thing as a true ally ..Russia is not Armenia's friend ..it's it's ally and in my opinion it should stay that way for the best of Armenia ..

just a side note I dont know if anyone lives or has recently been to yerevan... but the Americans are DEFINETLY planning something there ...if you see the embassy its like 2 kilometers long and theyr building a private airstrip in the embassy ( I call that an army base not an embassy but what do I know ) so I dont trust them at all... while the Russians give us weapons.. the americans build bases in our capital

...please state your opinions on this...

[jgm1975]

Regarding the embassy, see article below:

NEW US EMBASSY BUILDING IN YEREVAN

07.05.2005 03:20

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ May 6 the new American Embassy in Armenia opened in Yerevan. The symbolic ribbon was cut by Armenian President Robert Kocharian. As US Vice-Ambassador to Armenia Anthony Godfrey told the journalists invited, the new American diplomatic mission is located in a territory of 90 thousand square meters (9 hectares). It is the second on size land property the US State Department has abroad after Germany. 5 buildings are situated in the territory that total 14 thousand square meters. One of these buildings will be assigned to marines. As Godfrey noted, there are 6 of them at the moment. However, according to some reports, their number may soon increase up to 400. The Embassy walls are 50 centimeters wide and are made of solid concrete with metallic grid. The Embassy will have an autonomous energy supply and storage pond, he noted. The lot is the property of the US, bought from the Armenian Government at $5 million. A library will be open in the Embassy every day and all those interested can make use of it. Conditions for those wishing to obtain US visas are considerably improved. If they had to queue in long lines outside in the past, a special hall is designed for them in the new building. As reported by the US Vice-Ambassador, the building cost $76 million to American taxpayers, $18 out of which went to the Armenian economy, as some types of local construction materials were used in the building, as well as labor. It should be reminded that Turkish workers and foremen also participated in the construction works that lasted 4 years. 70 Americans and 350 Armenians work there at present. Opening the new Embassy building US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans stated the new building on the bank of the Yerevan storage pond symbolized the durable relations between the US and Armenia that are highlighted by Washington. “From the day the republic attained independence in 1991 we jointly worked over development of democracy, establishment of free economy and market relations,” he stated, adding at that the US appreciates Armenia’s role in international struggle against terror. Mr. Evans also stated that Washington will continue work with Yerevan and Baku “to find a fair solution to the Karabakh conflict.” “Undoubtedly compromise will be necessary from both parties,” Evans stated, emphasizing the American party is not imposing anything and is ready to support any decision that will fit both parties. Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian being present at the ceremony stated in his turn that the building of the Embassy “is a contribution and pledge of the faith to the US, to the durability of our relations,” “We hope we will make much progress with this building,” he stated, Regnum news agency reported.

[Kamo]

Hey,

This thread is very interesting considering the date were around, ie that of the celebration of the "independance" of Armenia.

I would argue that Armenia is now a semi-colonial state, which is a very sad state of affairs. This means the only way it can advance is to do favours for the major powers, ie that of USA, Russia, UK, France, China (both economic and military), and for regional powers (such as Iran and even with Turkey).

I would argue that Armenia needs to stop doing favours for others for survival, and have a genuinely independant set of policies, free of outside influence. However, the question is how on earth does it do this in todays conditions? The answer is it cannot.

There are therefore 2 paths Armenia can go down, in my opinion:

1: Continue doing favours for imperialist powers (many times at expense of Armenian citizens, eg ArmenTel, Privatization of energy etc) and hope that the Azeris, Turks or Georgians, really mess up at some point, in which case Armenias status would rise further. However why those countries would mess up if they are even more influenced by Western Countries, in particular Georgia, is a reason why i dont think this route has much success

2: Break with Capitalism. Surely this would be the only path in which where Armenians could really decide their destiny. This break would have to be done in conjunction with a break from capitalism firstly in the caucauses, then globally, as the regional and major imperialist powers would never want to lose control of these countries, especially when theyve invested so much money here...

what are your views?