Is Russia an ally or foe, nowadays?

[Eddo211]

Re: Is Russia an ally or foe, nowadays?

There is soooh much falsehoods, lies, deceptions, and distortions in this, together with such vileness in language and thought and intent, that I've got better things to do than dissect it all. I guess my interest has limits.

Thank God for that......enjoy your vacation from Hyclub laddy and contemplate how the world is ran with full of evil people compared to little Armenia fighting for her survival time enmortal.

Vaya con dios

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Is Russia an ally or foe, nowadays?

Russia Seizes Subsoil of Armenia and Karabakh from Oligarchs

Naira Hayrumyan
11 October 2013

http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/country/view/31079

The parliamentary hearing called by Vardan Aivazyan to discuss issues relating to the subsoil was a signal of a big redistribution of property. Most probably, this is related to Serzh Sargsyan’s decision on joining the Customs Union, which was followed by new processes in both the Armenian economy and politics.
The Armenian economy used to be largely “Russian” but it has been diversified over the past few years. Both local oligarchs and some major western investors have emerged. Now apparently both the western companies and oligarchs are ousted by Russian and pro-Russian businesses.
Recently a Russian company has been said likely to mine in Kajaran. The people of the villages adjacent to the mine were said to oppose, and Vardan Aivazyan has been asked to call the hearings to deprive the Council of Elders of the village of not only a voice but also the right to dividends.
The Armenian subsoil is exploited uncaringly and without observing environmental requirements. The national wealth is extracted from soil and run into the pockets of a group of people whom more Russian companies will be joining. Unlike the Western companies, which cherish public opinion, Russian companies tend to walk across the society.
The process of active exploitation of mines has affected Karabakh as well. The region of Karvachar has been dug far and wide. A new road is being built between Karvachar and Sotk to facilitate transportation of ore from the mine to the enrichment facility. NKR deputy prime minister Arthur Aghabekyan thinks that soon mining will comprise 10% of the GDP.
Whose pockets will the astronomical profits from mines in Armenia and Karabakh go to? Experts say that the Armenian exports to Europe are dominantly the products of mining industry. They say that after Armenia joins the Customs Union, customs duties will rise, and the cost price of products exported to Europe will grow respectively. Or not, in case the Russian companies export those products, which means that mining in Armenia will be dominated by the Russians.
The Russian parliament is likely to draft a law enabling the government to protect Russian economic interests abroad. “The law would vest in the head of state the right to undertake answering steps where appropriate without additional agreements and resorting to “fig leaves” in case of anti-Russian political actions aimed at discrimination of Russian economic interests,” the information note on the draft law states.
It means that Russia reserves the right to take “adequate steps” in case the Armenian state or one of the local oligarchs and western companies wishes to end the monopoly of Russian companies and promote its own interests. So why are you calling occupation integration?

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Is Russia an ally or foe, nowadays?


Armenia Refused NPP and Satellite Not To Hurt Russians
10 October 2013

http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/country/view/31071

Armenia could have cooperated with the United States over the construction of a new nuclear reactor, communication satellite project, civil aviation, said the ex-charge d’affaires to the United States, ex-head of the Military and Political Department of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Washington-based political scientist Armen Kharazyan says.
“This is not imagination, all the mentioned issues have been considered with the United States over the past 15 years but Armenia has continuously avoided proceeding with these matters and entering into deals with the Americans. The reason, I think, was psychological (Cold War stereotypes, reluctance to “hurt” Russians),” he noted, adding that as a result no serious project has been implemented in Armenia by any serious American company,” the newspaper reports.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Is Russia an ally or foe, nowadays?

Artsakh Is An Excuse For Armenian Criminal Oligarchy
Hakob Badalyan
12 October 2013

http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/31086

There is an opinion that the West ran into the unresolved Artsakh issue as Armenia refused to sign the Association Agreement. This opinion is based on threats that came from Russia which used its influence on Armenia’s security.
Is the Artsakh issue the problem? This issue is often presented as the problem of Armenia, a matter of progress of foreign policy, democratization. It is hard to find another society whose social and political leaders would successfully transform the society’s victory to a matter of progress.
Did Artsakh have a big “role” in Russia’s threats? The government is stating this indirectly, announcing that the Customs Union was chosen out of concerns about the security of Armenia.
The government needs to refer to security, hinting at Artsakh.
This is exaggerated indeed. A military clash over Artsakh has acquired strategic importance to Russia. Russia will thereby try to ensure its military presence in Artsakh to the Iranian border, which is the only more or less reliable safeguard for Russia’s foothold in the Caucasus.
Fortunately, however, Russia has limited possibilities now. Besides the Minsk Group co-chairs France and the United States, and the EU that is seeking for mechanisms enabling its long-term presence in the region, Azerbaijan also has a big role. Azerbaijan is well-aware that Russia, not Armenia or itself stands a real chance to win. Turkey also understands this.
In the case of Artsakh the Russian threat is obviously exaggerated. Russia did not need to threaten with defeat of Armenia in Artsakh. Russia had other more substantial leverages. The first is the economic one. And gas is not primary at all. The issues of Armenian migrants and Russia-based Armenian businessmen are primary.
They are now sustaining the Armenian economy because Western investments require the economic environment to comply with more modern rules and conditions. Most Russia-based rich Armenians are coalesced with the Armenian government, and millions of investments are made in return for political quotas. Without these investments and charity Armenia would be in ruins. To this adds remittances without which Armenia will inevitably face default.
It is possible to avoid this with the help of domestic economic and political reforms, market liberation, law enforcement and public administration based on social and national interests. This would boost diversification which would act as a new guarantee of economic security resulting in military and political security.
However, since the ruling elite in Armenia did not display genuine will and ability to carry out reforms, Russian economic pressure worked immediately. It produced the desired effect for Moscow. So, Moscow need not reach for Stepanakert though reaching for Stepanakert remains the ultimate goal of its Caucasian policy which it is now trying to implement through humanitarian mechanisms.
So, there is no need to present Artsakh as an obstacle for the Armenian society. Artsakh is not an obstacle but a military, political and geographical factor which, however, Armenia is not using effectively.
The government prefers referring to Artsakh every now and then because as soon as they confess economic pressure, the issue of their incompetency and accountability will rise. So what is the point in making commitments if the “eternal” issue of Artsakh is a handy tool to whitewash its lack of will?
Meanwhile, the West did not run into the unsettled issue of Artsakh. The West ran into the totalitarian regime of criminal oligarchy.

[Haykakan]

Re: Is Russia an ally or foe, nowadays?

So what do you suggest bell? We should dump our security partner for another who provides no security? Just look at what the USA has done to the middle east. The USA is just another empire but it in no way provides us with security from its good friend the Turk. Why would we go with a NPP from them given these circumstances?

Armenia Refused NPP and Satellite Not To Hurt Russians
10 October 2013

http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/country/view/31071

Armenia could have cooperated with the United States over the construction of a new nuclear reactor, communication satellite project, civil aviation, said the ex-charge d’affaires to the United States, ex-head of the Military and Political Department of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Washington-based political scientist Armen Kharazyan says.
“This is not imagination, all the mentioned issues have been considered with the United States over the past 15 years but Armenia has continuously avoided proceeding with these matters and entering into deals with the Americans. The reason, I think, was psychological (Cold War stereotypes, reluctance to “hurt” Russians),” he noted, adding that as a result no serious project has been implemented in Armenia by any serious American company,” the newspaper reports.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Is Russia an ally or foe, nowadays?

So what do you suggest bell? We should dump our security partner for another who provides no security? Just look at what the USA has done to the middle east. The USA is just another empire but it in no way provides us with security from its good friend the Turk. Why would we go with a NPP from them given these circumstances?

"no serious project has been implemented in Armenia by any serious American company"

Your idea of security is what? Being in a country whose formerly advanced industrial and technological and educational base has decayed down to about the equivalent of banging rocks together (i.e. raw materials extraction)?

- I hope that in some other thread you will not claim the future of Armenia is to be some sort of an international IT hub (someone was claiming this in another thread recently, and this sort of thing http://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/25127288.html) - because no serious project like that could ever be implemented without the partnership of American companies.

[Eddo211]

Re: Is Russia an ally or foe, nowadays?

"no serious project has been implemented in Armenia by any serious American company"

That is true....maybe if the US was a regional leader on these cursed lands Armenia would most likely love to get serious but until then the geopolitics of this times dictates otherwise considering the security of Armenia and neither you me or anyone on this forum would know what that is.

Your idea of security is what? Being in a country whose formerly advanced industrial and technological and educational base has decayed down to about the equivalent of banging rocks together (i.e. raw materials extraction)?

That is not true.....for example Armenia is already exporting her own made UAVs to other countries.

- I hope that in some other thread you will not claim the future of Armenia is to be some sort of an international IT hub (someone was claiming this in another thread recently) - because no serious project like that could ever be implemented without the partnership of American companies.

There is only so much a country in distress of constant war and endless blockade can do......and you cannot send Borgs to surround ancient people like Armenians and then complain why they do not join the collective.

[Eddo211]

Re: Is Russia an ally or foe, nowadays?

Thank God for that......enjoy your vacation from Hyclub laddy and contemplate how the world is ran with full of evil people compared to little Armenia fighting for her survival time enmortal.

Vaya con dios

I suppose one can only hope.....well it was a good thought.

[Artsakh]

Re: Is Russia an ally or foe, nowadays?

I suppose one can only hope.....well it was a good thought.

I knew better! he's got some sort of ingrained disorder.

I just loved it how he attempted to indirectly respond to me by saying, "I've got better things to do than dissect it all," as if he's really preoccupied with real life stuff.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Is Russia an ally or foe, nowadays?

ancient people like Armenians.

time enmortal.

Not that "3000-year-old civilisation"-thing again.