Azerbaijani threats against Armenia

[HyeJinx1984]

I guess it is surprising to some, but you gotta remmeber, I've only been paying attention to Armenian issues for maybe 2 or 3 months... sad as it sounds, from your post is where I learned Armenia's president is named Kocharian. We'll make Azerbaijan regret it? I like hearing talk like that...

Speaking of getting lands back, it only really makes sense if there is a large Armenian population living there. For example, I guess it would be nice to get Nikhavidjian (Yea, I butchered that) back, but from what I've read up on, it says there's no Armenian population there what so ever... however, many of the "Azerbaijani" lands bordering Armenia (and in fact ARE Armenian lands) still have a large Armenian population right?

[jgm1975]

Nakhitchevan was ethnically cleansed of its Armenian population during the Soviet era. In fact, Gorbatchev and the Soviets were also beginning the same process in Karabakh, sending Soviet troops to assist Azeri irregulars in an attempt to "settle" the Karabakh question once and for all (the Soviets hated any form of unrest). Once the failed coup in Moscow took place in 1991, along with the end of the Soviet Union, the Azeri thugs no longer had the Soviet Army assisting them. In fact, many Soviet troops left their military equipment to the Armenians, because they were actually sympathetic to the Armenian cause, unlike Gorbatchev. Regarding the Azeri lands bordering Armenia, there is no longer any minorities on any side of the border. The few Azeris that were in Armenia left (except for a handful in Zangezur, I think), while the few Armenians in Azerbaijan outside of Karabakh left as well. But these were very small population movements.

Also, I have a question about all of the tough talk coming from Armenian leaders. Are they genuine or are they more designed to divert attention away from the chronic political and economic problems in Armenia? After all, taking on an external enemy to build popularity at home is a well-known political tactic. Just wondering...

[dstyle]

Well, in my opinion, it was time to say something, the Azeris have been laying bs on top of bs for about four years, we can take Artsakh back and what not. It's nice for the govt. to show some balls for a change.

[HyeJinx1984]

Turkey has oil. Azerbaijan has oil. How come Armenia doesn't have oil? Or have we just not looked yet? Sometimes I wonder if it's god's cruel trick to place all the earth's natural resources in muslim lands, forcing them to be allies with the world's superpower while leaving the decent people who have no political power to suffer.

[dstyle]

Have you guys seen that Simpsons where the school finds oil but Mr. Burns drills sideways and steals it, hehe, sorry the last post made me think about that.

[HyeJinx1984]

LOL I say we start some sideways drilling!

[jgm1975]

Turkey has oil. Azerbaijan has oil. How come Armenia doesn't have oil? Or have we just not looked yet? Sometimes I wonder if it's god's cruel trick to place all the earth's natural resources in muslim lands, forcing them to be allies with the world's superpower while leaving the decent people who have no political power to suffer.

Turkey does not have any oil, unless I am mistaken. Also, most oil reserves in the world are offshore or near major waterways, such as the Gulf of Mexico, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea. Azeri oil is located offshore in the Caspian. The problem is that Armenia is, and has been throughout its history, a land-locked country (i.e. with no coast). This has created bad strategic consequences economically, but also culturally and politically. Sure the mountains provide good hideouts, but the sea gives you access to the world.
Finally for the oil, we can always hope that alternative energy sources are developed so that 30-40 years from now, oil reserves become as irrelevant as sand. It is either that or our global environmental problems will become worse.

[HyeJinx1984]

I was under the impression Turkey had oil, which is why they are an American ally. if they don't have oil, while is they and the U.S. giving each other so much good head?

[jgm1975]

I was under the impression Turkey had oil, which is why they are an American ally. if they don't have oil, while is they and the U.S. giving each other so much good head?

It would take pages to answer this question. But here are some quick points:

- Turkey is part of NATO and was a reliable US ally during the cold war.

- Turkey, as a market of some 71 million people, provides good business opportunities for US companies.

- Turkey is one of the very rare Islamic countries that is also secular and "democratic". The US wants to use Turkey as a model for other Islamic countries, especially the Arab ones, that are threatened by Islamic fundamentalism. It especially wants to present Turkey as an alternative to Iran where they have an Islamic regime.

- Turkey is home to a couple of US air bases that it needs.

- Turkey is in a tough neighborhood. The Middle East has oil reserves and is the frontline of Washington's conflict with Islamic fundamentalists. As such, it needs Turkey as a reliable ally.

Most of the points described above did not fall out of the blue. The Turks were politically able throughout the centuries to adopt the political trend that suited them well. During the Ottoman Empire, they had control over the Islamic holy sites, and portrayed the Empire as divinely inspired. After WWI, they went the Western route, and did not waiver in their pro-American allegiance during the Cold War, unlike rival Greece which had a strong local communist party that made Washington nervous. After the end of the Cold War, they established a strategic relationship with Israel to preserve the support of the US, sensing that they may not be so useful to the US with the disappearance of the Soviet threat. Their political pragmatism is their greatest strength. I once heard an expression that I found quite interesting. It went something like this: "99% of Turks are dumb and 1% are clever, while 99% of Armenians are clever and 1% are dumb. But in both cases, it is the 1% that is in power". Maybe the statement is exaggerated but it summarizes well the fact that Turks had able leaders throughout their history who were not contested.

[Federate]

Re: Azerbaijani threats against Armenia

Azerbaijan to buy 10 pilotless reconnaissance aircrafts from Israel
05 June 2008 [10:59] - Today.Az

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry intends to buy 10 multi-mission pilotless reconnaissance aircrafts Hermes 450 from Israeli Silver Arrow company, reports GPSearch.Org with reference to a source from the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan.

As is reported "the purchased pilotless aircrafts will be used to control the areas, occupied by Armenians".

"While selecting the technique, we took into account its "invisibility" for the enemy's air defense", said the source.

The reference of the AirWar.ru website says: "Hermes 450 is a multi-mission pilotless aircraft, invented by Israeli Silver Arrow. It is designed for observation, patrol, reconnaissance and correction of fire support as well as communication maintenance during hostilities. Hermes 450 is designed of composite materials, which makes it difficult to reveal it by enemy's air defense systems. It flies in the autonomous regime by using GPS fata. Hermes 450 flies and lands from the low prepared landing strip extending to up to 350 meters".

/Day.Az/

from http://www.today.az/news/politics/45453.html