Iranian-Armenian relations

[Persopolis]

Re: Iranian-Armenian relations

Well it was reported on news.am. I hope Iran doesn't go through with it, but I guess we will have to see.

There are more worrisome things out there ....

A few minutes ago on May 5, 2011, Arab TV announced that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameini requested Iran's President Ahmadinejad to step down from his post. This has not been confirmed nor verified by Western media as yet, however, it has been reported that several of his close aides are already under arrest.The UK Guardian reported today that many of Ahmadinejad's aides were accused of using 'supernatural powers', including invoking jinns (spirits) in an attempt to further the president's agenda against Khameini. Continue reading on Examiner.com: Breaking: Ahmadinejad to resign - National Foreign Policy | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/foreign-poli...#ixzz1LY8gAdA7

I suggest that you write a detailed analysis of these "jinns" as they will clearly affect the Iran/Armenia relationship.

(My point simply is that a lot of what passes as "news" is based on nothing more than mixing sleeping pills with booze).

[Tigranakert]

Re: Iranian-Armenian relations

ya i know, but this is what michael rubin was referring to in his recent rant on "what's wrong with Armenia". just a relevat addition to the tread is all.

What’s Wrong with Michael Rubin?

After reading a recent article by Michael Rubin, who’s from the neo-con think tank, American Enterprise Institute, I felt it was only proper to dissect his ill-thought-out analysis on a point by point basis. To begin with, Rubin claims that the Armenian Genocide is still debated by historians. No, it isn’t. The preeminent genocide studying organization, I’m of course referring to the International Association of Genocide Scholars, has described the massacres of over 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Turks as a genocide on two separate occasions, in 1997 and once again in 2007. The only ‘historians’ who deny the genocide are those on a Turkish payroll. Someone should point out to Rubin that the Holocaust is also debated but no one pays attention to the revisionists in this case. Next, Rubin claims that the demands of the American-Armenian community to have the U.S. officially recognize the Armenian Genocide are “doing a disservice to U.S. national security.” Yet, he fails to mention how a non binding Congressional resolution will hurt American national security interests. Turkey has made threats to other nations that have recognized the Genocide, most notably France, yet time and again, the threats proved to be little more than a short term diplomatic spat, with no lasting impact on military or commercial ties. Furthermore, if the U.S. really is the champion of human rights and democracy, then recognizing genocides and calling a spade a spade will go a long way in proving America’s stated commitment to human rights and democracy promotion. This in turn would be another useful tool in American soft-power, and thus a boost to U.S. national security, not a hindrance. Otherwise, the U.S. should drop any pretensions to being a champion of human rights.

Following the above, Rubin makes the absurd claim that Armenia has been “largely antagonistic” toward the U.S. He cites two points to support this. First, he compares Armenia’s voting record in the U.N. to that of the U.S. and Israel, and then brings in Armenia’s ties with Iran. Let me start off by saying that U.S.-Armenia relations are quite cordial. The Armenian government has been a reliable partner in the U.S. led War on Terror, allowing American military planes to fly over Armenian airspace, as well as sending a small contingent of Armenian soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan. Since Rubin brought up the U.N., he should look at the voting record of Turkey and the U.S., they are not in unison either. In fact, last May, Turkey, along with Brazil, drafted a proposal with Iran concerning its alleged nuclear weapons program, which went against perceived American interests and was thus voted down by the U.S. and its European allies. As for Armenia’s relations with Iran, Rubin fails to cite the main reason behind this, energy, and the ongoing illegal blockade of Armenia by Turkey. Because of the blockade imposed by Ankara, Armenia relies on its sole nuclear power plant in Metsamor for 40% of its energy needs and the rest from imported Russian gas that is piped in through volatile Georgia. Armenia needed to diversify its energy sources and providers, and it found a willing partner in Iran, which has large quantities of oil and gas.

Staying on the topic of Iran, Rubin claims that Armenia has supplied Iran with weapons before, using as his source a leaked diplomatic cable from the early 2000s. While it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim, recent reports have alleged that American military trainers have been helping to train the snipers of the Azeri army, who are positioned only a few hundred meters from the Armenian position. The Azeris continue to ignore the 1994 ceasefire that brought an end to the war over Nagorno-Karabakh, and have killed a number of Armenian soldiers and even innocent villagers over the last few years. Should the Armenian government now consider the U.S. as a hostile nation? If we follow Rubin’s logic, yes.

Finally, Rubin suggests that the Armenian lobby and American-Armenians in general, should attempt to convince the Armenian government and natives of Armenia to pursue a military, economic, security, and diplomatic partnership with the U.S. He claims he is using a ‘realists’ approach to the situation but it would seem he skipped the class on realism and particularly the section on geopolitics. Though one can write a great deal on this topic, for my purposes it will suffice it to say that while Armenia should continue to have cordial relations with Washington, and be open to furthering economic and military relations, it should not abandon its strategic ties with Moscow or close economic relations with Tehran. Iran provides Armenia with energy security, while Russia guarantees that Armenian sovereignty will not be violated by Turkey. This is interesting to note because contrary to Rubin’s claim that there is something wrong with Armenia, the truth is that there’s something wrong with Turkey. As long as it denies the genocide of Armenians, as long as it provides direct military assistance to Azerbaijan, and as long as it maintains the illegal blockade of Armenia, it will remain an existential threat to the Armenian state and people. So next time Mr. Rubin decides to write an article on Armenia, he should first research properly, before putting pen to paper. Otherwise, he is just another hack with a two bit agenda to push.

[Persopolis]

Re: Iranian-Armenian relations

Like US didn't supply arms to al-Qaeda and Saddam in the past.

Anyone that wants to see how the US conducted its foreign policy behind the scenes should watch this - it's a great video:

[Persopolis]

Re: Iranian-Armenian relations

NOT THE PLO, but the KLO?

http://www.news.az/articles/politics/35711

[Federate]

Re: Iranian-Armenian relations

Incredible !
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Source: Manouchehr Mottaki visited Nagorno Karabakh in fall of 2010
May 10, 2011 - 16:46 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Former Iranian Former Foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki visited Nagorno Karabakh and its regions neighboring with Iran in fall of 2010. Mottaki arrived in the Republic of Artsakh on a fact-finding trip, reliable sources told PanARMENIAN.Net

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad abruptly fired his Foreign Minister on December 13, 2010, as he was in the middle of an official visit to Africa.

http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/world/news/69524/

[Mos]

Re: Iranian-Armenian relations

Incredible !
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Source: Manouchehr Mottaki visited Nagorno Karabakh in fall of 2010
May 10, 2011 - 16:46 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Former Iranian Former Foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki visited Nagorno Karabakh and its regions neighboring with Iran in fall of 2010. Mottaki arrived in the Republic of Artsakh on a fact-finding trip, reliable sources told PanARMENIAN.Net

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad abruptly fired his Foreign Minister on December 13, 2010, as he was in the middle of an official visit to Africa.

http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/world/news/69524/

That is truly good to hear, but what you make of this? (it was on the same news website):

Iranian embassy in Yerevan avoids commenting on weapons supply to Baku
May 10, 2011 - 15:44 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Iranian embassy in Armenia refused to comment on a statement by Iranian Ayatollah Seyed Hassan Ameli, who said that Iran supplied weapons to Azerbaijan during the Karabakh war.
Embassy officials said they would not like unreliable information affect the friendly Armenian-Iranian relations.
The embassy neither confirmed, nor refuted Ayatollah Ameli’s statement, saying that the official stance of Tehran on the Karabakh conflict settlement is known, since it has been repeatedly voiced by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as well as Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Seyed Ali Saghaeyan.
“We do not exclude the possibility that there are forces, which aim to create hindrances for our friendly relations,” a representative of the Iranian embassy told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.
Recently, Iranian Ayatollah Seyed Hassan Ameli stated that Iran supplied weapons to Azeri troops who experienced armament shortage while fighting in battles for Shushi.

[Federate]

Re: Iranian-Armenian relations

I don't know what's the fuss about Afghan mujaheddin fighting for Azerbaijan, this has been public knowledge for years, there's even a 20 page study on it online. The allegation that Iran helped Azerbaijan is new. I don't know who this Seyed Hassan Ameli is as even Google does not know much about him. Perhaps fanning the flames of Islamic solidarity? He is a cleric, based on the "Seyed" title... We're gonna have to wait and see. Maybe Persopolis has more info?
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Armenian MOD confirms: Afghan militants fight for Azerbaijan

May 10, 2011 | 15:29

YEREVAN. – Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan confirmed statement of Iranian spiritual leader’s representative saying Afghan militants were fighting on the Azerbaijani side during the Karabakh war.

“Afghan militants were definitely in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in a certain period,” Ohanyan said commenting on information spread by the Iranian sources.

According to reports, Iran helped Azerbaijan during the Karabakh war. In particular, Iran supplied weapons, trainers and ammunition, provided assistance in bringing militants from Afghanistan.

“They were withdrawn within the framework of different agreements suffering huge losses as a result of the professional action of the Karabakh side,” Minister Ohanyan said.

http://news.am/eng/news/58787.html

[Mos]

Re: Iranian-Armenian relations

I don't know what's the fuss about Afghan mujaheddin fighting for Azerbaijan, this has been public knowledge for years, there's even a 20 page study on it online. The allegation that Iran helped Azerbaijan is new. I don't know who this Seyed Hassan Ameli is as even Google does not know much about him. Perhaps fanning the flames of Islamic solidarity? He is a cleric, based on the "Seyed" title... We're gonna have to wait and see. Maybe Persopolis has more info?
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Armenian MOD confirms: Afghan militants fight for Azerbaijan

May 10, 2011 | 15:29

YEREVAN. – Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan confirmed statement of Iranian spiritual leader’s representative saying Afghan militants were fighting on the Azerbaijani side during the Karabakh war.

“Afghan militants were definitely in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in a certain period,” Ohanyan said commenting on information spread by the Iranian sources.

According to reports, Iran helped Azerbaijan during the Karabakh war. In particular, Iran supplied weapons, trainers and ammunition, provided assistance in bringing militants from Afghanistan.

“They were withdrawn within the framework of different agreements suffering huge losses as a result of the professional action of the Karabakh side,” Minister Ohanyan said.

http://news.am/eng/news/58787.html

Yes Afghan Mujahedeen definitely helped Azeris same with Chechen Islamic terrorists led by Shamil Basayev. There is actually a connection of al-Qaeda to the Mujahedeen that was helping Azerbaijan, and because of that US actually began to increase military aid to Armenia (post 9/11). We've never been good with the Sunni extremists. Maybe there were some elements within Iranian government or army that were sympathetic to Azeris - I will do more research on this.

[Mos]

Re: Iranian-Armenian relations

Other sources...

Armenian MOD confirms: Afghan militants fight for Azerbaijan


May 10, 2011 | 15:29
YEREVAN. – Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan confirmed statement of Iranian spiritual leader’s representative saying Afghan militants were fighting on the Azerbaijani side during the Karabakh war.

“Afghan militants were definitely in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in a certain period,” Ohanyan said commenting on information spread by the Iranian sources.

According to reports, Iran helped Azerbaijan during the Karabakh war. In particular, Iran supplied weapons, trainers and ammunition, provided assistance in bringing militants from Afghanistan.

“They were withdrawn within the framework of different agreements suffering huge losses as a result of the professional action of the Karabakh side,” Minister Ohanyan said.

IRAN ‘SENT WEAPONS' TO AZERBAIJAN DURING KARABAKH WAR

Iran reportedly provided Azerbaijan with weaponry during the Karabakh war, an Iranian Imam has said. According to the Iranian news agency Arannews, Seid Ameli, said in a statement that the Karabakh war created a dilemma for Iran: either to interfere and protect Azerbaijan, which would mean a second front line with Russia, or turn a "blind eye on the killings of brother Azeris". "But Iran chose the third variant: not to take part in the war openly, but at the same time not to be an observer either," Seid Ameli said in the statement released on the occasion of the death of Alikram Aliyev, the former leader of Islamic Party of Azerbaijan. Ameli further said that though Iranian political figures have never spoken about it, Iran sent weapons to Azerbaijani soldiers during the battle in Shushi. Ameli also said that Iran assisted Azerbaijan in bringing "thousands of gunmen" to the front line from Afghanistan. According to him, thousand of Azeris living in Azerbaijan today can prove his words true.

Iran ‘sent weapons’ to Azerbaijan during Karabakh war
19:37 • 09.05.11




Iran reportedly provided Azerbaijan with weaponry during the Karabakh war, an Iranian Imam has said.

According to the Iranian news agency Arannews, Seid Ameli, said in a statement that the Karabakh war created a dilemma for Iran: either to interfere and protect Azerbaijan, which would mean a second front line with Russia, or turn a “blind eye on the killings of brother Azeris”.

“But Iran chose the third variant: not to take part in the war openly, but at the same time not to be an observer either,” Seid Ameli said in the statement released on the occasion of the death of Alikram Aliyev, the former leader of Islamic Party of Azerbaijan.

Ameli further said that though Iranian political figures have never spoken about it, Iran sent weapons to Azerbaijani soldiers during the battle in Shushi.

Ameli also said that Iran assisted Azerbaijan in bringing “thousands of gunmen” to the front line from Afghanistan.

According to him, thousand of Azeris living in Azerbaijan today can prove his words true.

[Mos]

Re: Iranian-Armenian relations

So it looks like they were helping Azeris covertly, at the same Iran was helping Azerbaijan militarily they were still keeping economic relations with us. A pretty weird 2 faced strategy.