The Struggle for Caucasia

[HyeJinx1984]

After the chechen terrorist attacks in Russia, I have a feeling putin will be less likely to back Muslim nations, and Putin, if nothing else, is a very, VERY strong Christian (I've seen the man give speeches on his faith which blew me away). He may not be the best Russian prime minister, but I think he makes Russia a fairly good ally to Armenians while he's still in power.

[shasa]

I totally agree,
What chechen (or chicken) did is something like 9/11 and Russian will never behave same to muslims after that. Only problem is the aboosh turks that are always backed by US, also they have good economic ties with Russians about energy.

[Armenian]

Russian air base in Armenia ready to open fire at NATO planes

Channel One TV, Moscow
4 May 04

Presenter Back in Soviet times airborne troops stationed in
Transcaucasia served as a reliable defence of the country's southern
borders. In the mid-1990s Russia's airspace in the area was left
without any defence. Armenia alone met Russia halfway and allowed for
the Russian Airborne Troops to remain on its territory.

Correspondent Aleksey Artemyev Fighters at the Russian air base
Erebuni have six minutes and not a second more to take off for a duty
flight and intercept a target that has illegally entered Armenia's
airspace. The end of the runway and the border with the neighbouring
country are separated by a distance of 15 km. The neighbouring country
is Turkey, a NATO member state, with a great number of air bases
stationed on its territory, including those belonging to the USA.

Two years ago Russian pilots cut short an attempt by a high-speed spy
plane to enter Armenia's airspace from Turkey. One should always be on
alert here. All interceptors on combat duty here are equipped with
four air-to-air missiles. The two bigger ones are located closer to
the fuselage and are capable of hitting a target within a distance of
up to 80 km. The two smaller ones are intended for close combat, they
are capable of hitting any target within 30 km. The equipment is
completely ready for combat.

NATO intelligence is monitoring the Russian air base in Armenia round
the clock. Two sites for direct tracking are situated on a slope of Mt
Ararat. The Turkish Air Force are trying to have every Russian pilot
under control.

Valeriy Ded, captioned as fighter pilot We do not normally meet them
in the air. At times we spot them on our radar screens, both on board
and on the ground. They know every pilot of ours, our voices, if not
our names.

Correspondent The Erebuni air base is part of the Russian air defence
complex situated in Armenia, the only one remaining in Transcaucasia,
protecting Russia's southern borders. The main air defence forces are
located high up in the mountains, not far from Gyumri, formerly
Leninakan. There are four launch pads for air defence missile systems
Kub and S-300 there.

We were the only TV crew that was given a chance to film a Russian air
defence command post on alert duty. Unidentified officer This facility allows
us to see the sites where the air defence batteries are stationed as well as
the sectors they are facing. We can give them the whereabouts of a target
to hit.

Correspondent This radar station is able to operate within a radius of
300 km. The nearest NATO airfields in Turkey are situated at a
distance of about 200 km. In other words, the Russian command post is
able to spot any plane takeoff from any of the airfields.

Aleksey Gorskiy, captioned as commander of the combat command and
control division In May 2001 we began our test alert duty. We did not
have a right to open fire at trespassers. The Turks used to fly along
the border all the time. After the alert duty started in earnest in
October ?2001 , in other words when we were allowed to open fire, they
hardly ever appear here now.

Correspondent All the Russian air defence divisions stationed in
Armenia are working in close coordination with each other. In everyday
life pilots and anti-aircraft gunners are rivals. The air base is
proud of its unique barracks, containing fish water tanks,
mantelpieces and even a small zoo of their own. Meanwhile, the air
defence system command division claims that they have the best cook
and cuisine.

[Valkator]

The Caucasus Region, in terms of the current cycle of human history which spans the past roughly 80,000 years or so, is the cradle and the 'origination point' of the Indo-European peoples on this planet before their migrations to all points on the 'compass'. There's alot more to this than simply 'territory', but that's for another, more esoteric discussion.

Armenia is probably one of the very first 'nations' to form from our collective people, and this predates the establishment of it being the 'first Christian nation' -- though there are interesting parallels here. If you're one who looks at history and nature in terms of 'cycles' and apply this to the human arena, you will find that we are very likely at the 'end' of a cycle which is seeing the rapid spread of total destruction on practically every level of human existence. Islam and all other Earth-bound, materialistic ideologies and 'systems' are witness to the 'winding down' of the cycle and the subsuming of the diverse human populations into, well, nothing -- an easily controlled, human mass -- bound by an 'external law' and reduced to nothing more than animals. Though I would caution against using Christianity to 'physically combat' this, Christianity, in its Orthodox and Apostolic fullness, does show a 'way through' the current situation and toward something altogether new in terms of existence. What course our governments will take -- whether they sell out to the 'evil' or stand in defense -- depends entirely on us and our willingness to stand up and take control of ourselves before someone or something else does. The innocent children who were murdered by these animals were only successful because WE failed to open our eyes and take the appropriate measures to defend ourselves from them. This was our wake-up call -- for Armenia -- and for everyone who is still with and 'of' us.

[Armenian]

Agency WPS/DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
August 27, 2004, Friday

ARMENIA BUILDS UP ITS MILITARY MIGHT AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE DEEPENING CRISIS IN THE RELATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN THAT THREATENS WITH FULL-SCALE WAR

by Samvel Martirosjan (Yerevan)

The Russian-Armenian military cooperation develops quite dynamically.
Not long ago, Russia lent a sympathetic ear to Armenia's request
concerning training of up to 150 officers. Complicated situation in
the Caucasus forces the authorities of Armenia to pay unfeigned
attention to national defense. According to official data alone, the
2004 Armenian state budget allocated almost $82 million for military
needs, an almost 10% rise against war spending in 2003. Estimates of
the International Institute of Strategic Studies (London) show that
in 2002 Armenia was the CIS leader in the arms spending to GDP ratio
- 6.4%, an equivalent of $162 million.

The CIA claims that as far as this particular parameter is concerned,
Armenia is the 11th in the world; it spent $135 million on its army
in 2001. When the closed parliamentary hearing of fulfillment of the
2003 budget was over not long ago, Armenian Defense Minister Serzh
Sarkisjan said that arms spending would be increased next year
again. Sarkisjan refused to elaborate but said that the Armenian
national army was initiating a program of rearmament.

It should be noted that the population of Armenia, not exactly a
wealthy country, does not object to these measures taken by national
leaders. The population is perfectly aware of the undeclared war with
Azerbaijan that is under way. Serious clashes are regularly reported
in the areas where Armenian and Azerbaijani troops face each other;
shots have been fired by sharpshooters for a decade (ever since the
cease-fire on the Karabakh front was signed). Moreover, official
Yerevan positions itself as a guarantor of security of Karabakh.

Turkey is another potential enemy. Diplomatic relations with Turkey
have never been established. Ankara is still blocking the border with
Armenia and pursuing an openly anti-Armenian policy. Sociologists of
the Armenian Center of National and Strategic Studies discovered that
47.5% respondents in Armenia believe that the war with Azerbaijan may
be resumed within five years, and 7% more expect a Turkish aggression
within the same span of time.

Figures

Armenian national army is considered one of the most combat ready in
the Caucasus. These days, it is over 60,000 men strong. According to
the CIA, there are 810,000 men in Armenia aged 15 to 59 and almost
650,000 of them are fit for combat. Most experts say, however, that
mobilization resources of Armenia amount to 300,000 men, i.e. almost
10% of the total population (over 3.2 million).

Under the Treaty on Conventional Arms in Europe, in 2001 Armenia
declared 102 T-72 tanks and 204 armored vehicles (most of them
infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers). With the
military hardware the Treaty on Conventional Arms in Europe does not
apply to, Armenia has up to 700 armored vehicles. Its artillery
comprises 225 pieces of 122 mm and larger calibers including 50
multiple rocket launchers.

The Armenian Air Force includes five SU-25 ground-attack aircraft,
one MIG-25, 35 helicopters (the latter include twelve MI-24 attack
helicopters), and 3,000 servicemen. Yerevan intends to build up this
component of its Armed Forces. Not long ago, Defense Ministry of
Slovenia proclaimed the sale of ten SU-25s to Armenia (nine SU-25K
one-seaters and one SU-25UBK two-seater). The consignment will cost
Armenia $1 million. Armenia bought two IL-76 military transports from
Russia not long ago. The transports were bought at Russian domestic
prices and made it to Armenia together with Defense Minister of
Russia Sergei Ivanov.

Armenia builds up its Air Force in the hope of making it a match for
the Azerbaijani, but its antiaircraft defense is considered the best
throughout the Caucasus. Armenian antiaircraft defense comprises an
antiaircraft missile brigade and two regiments armed with almost 100
antiaircraft complexes of various models and modifications (Osa,
Krug, S-75, and S-125). Numerical strength is estimated at about
2,000 servicemen. Armenian antiaircraft defense developed in a hurry
in the war over Karabakh when Azerbaijani Air Force regularly and
energetically bombarded Armenian trenches and settlements both in
Karabakh and in Armenia's own border districts. There was nothing
Armenia could do about it then. By 1993, however, it already had a
formidable antiaircraft defense in Armenia itself and in the Republic
of Nagorno-Karabakh. Its deployment cut Azerbaijani advantage in the
sky to the minimum.

These days, the Armenian skies are controlled by Armenian and Russian
antiaircraft defense units on joint combat duty since 1999. There are
at least 30 MIG-29 fighters and a regiment of S-300s quartered on the
territory of Armenia.

Allies in the Organization of the CIS Collective Security Treaty

Armenia is a member of the Organization of the CIS Collective
Security Treaty. As such, it participates in all events organized
within its framework. In any case, Russia is Armenia's oldest and
traditional ally. Ever since the regaining of sovereignty, the tandem
of Moscow and Yerevan has served as one of the few examples of bona
fide military-political cooperation in the Commonwealth. There is
practically no discord between Russia and Armenia in this sphere.

Russia and Armenia together defend the Armenian airspace or, rather,
the southern border of the Commonwealth. Armenian borders with Turkey
and Iran are manned by almost 2,000 Russian bodyguards who serve
shoulder to shoulder with their Armenian counterparts. Yet, it is the
102nd Military Base in Gyumri that is Russia's major outpost in
Armenia. Unlike Tbilisi or Baku, official Yerevan never brings up the
subject of withdrawal of the Russian troops. When Sarkisjan is asked
the question, he never answers believing it a rhetoric question.
Armenian society regards the Russian troops as a covering force
defending it from the Turkish aggression.

Until recently, the 102nd Military Base had 74 tanks, 17 battle
infantry vehicles, 148 armored personnel carriers, 84 artillery
pieces, up to 30 MIG-23s and MIG-29s, and a regiment of S-300
antiaircraft complexes. In the last eighteen months, however, a great
deal of military hardware was moved there from Georgia. Armenia gave
the land and objects used by the 102nd Military Base over to Russia
and covers some communal services.

Officer training is another sphere of Russian-Armenian military
cooperation. In the first years of sovereignty when Armenia did not
have military educational establishments of its own, officers of its
army were trained in Russia. Even now when Armenia has a military
college on its own territory, the Armenian officer corps honors the
tradition and is trained at Russian military educational
establishments. On a visit to Armenia in late May, Ivanov said that
600 Armenian servicemen are being trained in Russia. "Armenia asks
for the permission to send 150 servicemen to Russia in 2005, and
Russia gave its consent," Ivanov said.

It seems that Moscow and Yerevan do not plan to stop. The first
meeting of the joint Russian-Armenian government panel for
military-technical cooperation will take place this autumn. According
to Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, Russian factories will participate
in the Armenian program of military hardware modernization. He even
said that Russia is prepared to supply the necessary spare parts an
equipment.

Belarus is another ally of Armenia in the Organization of the CIS
Collective Security Treaty. The two countries signed a treaty in
2002. Under the document, Armenia will receive light weapons, armored
vehicles, ordnance, and optical devices in return for spare parts and
gadgets for military hardware. Armenia also intends to have its heavy
military hardware upgraded at Belarusian factories. Lieutenant
General Sergei Gurulev, Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian
Armed Forces, says that the Armenian-Belarusian military contacts
"become systematic and deliberate."

Do not forget NATO

Greece is Armenia's best ally in the Alliance. Greece and Armenia
share ancient ties and a common enemy - Turkey. Armenian officers are
trained in Greece. Every now and then Athens puts into motion
military aid programs. In 2003, the two countries signed another
military cooperation accord under which Greece will up the number of
Armenian servicemen trained at the military and military-medical
academies in Athens.

Armenia became a peacekeeper in February. It sent 34 servicemen to
Kosovo where they became an element of the Greek contingent. Armenian
servicemen in Kosovo are paid by the Greeks. Yerevan has been shifting towards NATO lately, mostly within the framework of the NATO's Partnership for Peace Program. Cooperative Best Effort exercise (the first one where Russia was represented) was run on the territory of Armenia in 2003.

Armenian cooperation with NATO is mostly declarative for the time
being, but the United States - the country steadily upping its clout
with countries of the region - has far-reaching plans with regard to
Yerevan. In early 2003, the Pentagon announced several major military
programs in the Caucasus. Washington's military aid to Armenia in
2004 will amount to $5 million even though the US Administration
intended to restrict it to $2 million at first. Armenia and the
United States signed a military-technical cooperation accord in
April. Some articles in the American media imply that the accord
specifies the use of Armenian airfields by the US AF.

Proclaiming complementariness as its foreign political doctrine,
official Yerevan never misses a chance to advance its contacts with
Washington. When the war in Iraq was under way, Armenia remained
neutral. It neither supported the war and America's action nor
condemned them. These days, however, the parliament and government of
Armenia are working on the legislation that will enable Yerevan to
send servicemen to Iraq. The Cabinet already endorsed the decision of
the Defense Ministry to subscribe to the memorandum "On the command
and settlement of issues in connection with activities of the
international division in the forces of coalition in Iraq". At first,
Armenia will probably send 10 de-miners and 3 doctors and some trucks
to Iraq.

Moreover, Armenia even permitted the United States to modernize its
communications, one of the most vulnerable items. Yerevan expects to
get communications means from American companies. The deliveries will
be paid for by the White House (the sum amounts to $7 million).
Commenting on it, Sarkisjan said that Russia is quite understanding.
"We are allies. It means that the strengthening of one partner will
benefit the other," said Sarkisjan. "We initiated the process a year
ago, and I found our Russian colleagues quite understanding." He said
that from military cooperation with the United States Armenia
expected to up combat potential of its own army.

So, Armenia ups its military might against the background of the
deepening crisis in the relations with Azerbaijan, the crisis that
threatens to deteriorate into another full-scale war. It should be
noted as well that in any conflict the Armenian national army may
count on servicemen from Karabakh. In fact, the Karabakh army even
leaves the Armenian behind in some parameters. Karabakh armed
formations cannot match the Armenian army in manpower (about 20,000
servicemen and mobilization resources at 60,000 men), but they are
certainly ahead of Armenia in heavy military hardware: 316 tanks, 324
armored vehicles, 322 artillery pieces of calibers over 122 mm, 44
multiple rocket launchers, and the antiaircraft defense system that
performed flawlessly in the hostilities in the 1990's.

Translated by A. Ignatkin

Source: http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg92385.html

[shasa]

Wow! Armenian, all the articles are very interesting and are focusing what I mean.
Turkey is not a giant, and time will come to take the revenge of our ancestors.
Only problem may be if these stupid turks join the European Union...
Otherwise NATO has finished its mission and in the next 25-30 years NATO membership of Turkey will not be an obstacle to attack them from both sides (Greeks and Armenians)

[Armenian]

Itogi.ru

No. 42(322)
October 26, 2002

Transcaucasia / Armies of the World

Among the multitude of armed formations, which have sprang up
in the post-Soviet sphere, the Defense Army of Karabakh turned
out to be one of the most battle worthy.


[Photo: Camouflaged sniper hiding in the bushes, taking aim.]
[Caption: Even though Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan reached
an agreement on ceasefire, sniper war is continuing.]


[Photo: A commander is inspecting a squad standing at full
attention.]

Today people are starting to forget about Nagorno-Karabakh. But
this small and strongly crisscrossed land, lost in the Caucasian
heights, which by population size is second to any Moscow region
(according to the latest information the population of NKR is
only 145,128), played a colossal role in recent history. It was
exactly here that the physical deterioration of the last world
empire started. It was also here that the first war developed
in the post-Soviet sphere, which put under the doubt the very
idea of the existence of such a community of people as the Soviet
People. After begetting a hurricane, Artsakh - the historical name
of Nagorno-Karabakh - was destined to vanish from the political
map of the world: the Azeri side had a massive military and
economic superiority. But thanks to its army, Nagorno-Karabakh
not only survived, but also enlarged its own borders...

While getting ready to go to Karabakh, it was not our goal to
identify who is to blame in conflict, which flickers to this
day. We were interested exclusively in "technical" issues: how
was it formed and according to what principles does the army of
the state function, which instead of official borders has front
lines and is not accepted de-jure anywhere.

More Than Guerrillas

There is no need to explain to the participants of enforcement
of a "constructive order in Soviet Transcaucasia" who are the
fedayees. Armed with anything they could get their hands on and
unclear who they were controlled by, the bearded guerrillas
(partisans) stood against a no less exotic Azeri fighting
force. In the beginning stages, military weapons were a big rarity
here and the character of the military actions was very similar to
gang fighting on a city level using common makeshift weapons. In
those times Soviet generals didn't hide their contempt towards
this "wild war" and its participants. Up to the point when blood
still wasn't being shed in abundance and humor on military themes
wasn't too dark, in many headquarters spread throughout
"smoldering" Caucasus, the Karabakh conflict was referred to as
the battle between shepherds and cattle breeders.

The irony was present even when the fighting sides transferred
into tanks and planes, when instead of gradoboykas (Translator's
note: guns used for agricultural purposes) they started using
frontline artillery - as the military warehouses and equipment
in the region turned out to be more than sufficient. True, in
Moscow they still hoped that these "peoples' military
specialists" will never be able to adapt the modern military
hardware which they inherited after the division of Soviet
Union. But the hopes were dispersed when the so-called Karabakh
War, which in Artsakh is considered Patriotic, went according
to all rules of military art...

They don't wear beards in the NKR Army any more. It is not
outlawed, but it is also not encouraged. The outward appearance
is clean cut - the camouflage is sawn on the local fabric from
Greek material, thus strikingly resembling NATO. And if we put a
Russian soldier next to one from Karabakh, the visual comparison,
unfortunately, won't be in our favor. At the least, we didn't
see a single soldier with a pitiful appearance, the likes of
which are abundant even in Moscow. People wear the uniform with
dignity here, even women and instructors of military-sporting
schools: 70 percent of the population directly or indirectly
are considered potential "military assets".

Big Little Army

The military budget of NKR is an impressive 20 percent of
GDP. These kinds of spending percentages are not permissive,
neither in the United States nor Russia. But to make up for
it, in the past ten years, gone like a moment, they created
here a well functioning military structure: infantry, armored,
rocket-artillery forces, air defense forces, rear logistical
services and all the necessary military services including,
a reconnaissance battalion and a special forces unit formed on
the base of national guard...

In reality, here they know not only the appropriate place for
a joke, but also the appropriate time. They warned us still
in Yerevan that Karabakh Armenians are not only the most kind
hearted but also the most warlike: from the four famous Soviet
Armenian marshals, three were from Karabakh. People here, as is
appropriate for the highlanders, are serious with a no-nonsense
character. If the decision is taken that everybody must go through
military service, everybody does it, regardless of the position
of the parents, two years from start to finish.


Photo: Soldiers in fatigues sitting in a classroom, watching one
of their classmates working with a land mine.]

Ohanian's Line

We should assume that the Defense Minister of NKR doesn't
contradict his commander-in-chief all the time. But in any case,
even for the president it is hard to pressure his military
minister so easily. The point is that General-Lieutenant Seyran
Ohanian is not simply a bureaucrat in uniform, but one of the
thirteen national heroes, whom people respect no less than
general director of AVPK "Sukhoy" (Sukhoy, famous Russian fighter
and attack plane design bureau) Michail Pogosian, who also has
Karabakhi roots.

Seyran Ohanian has marched from cadet to battalion commander in
the Soviet Army. He served in the military group in Germany,
Kirovabad, then in 336th Stepanakert Mechanized Infantry
Regiment. He says that when the time came to make a choice, he
went to defend his smaller homeland, as he would probably do if
he had to, the socialist Fatherland. He was in the command of a
regiment, afterwards, during the heaviest fighting, he commanded
the Mardakert front. He didn't leave the battlefield even when he
was badly wounded and lost a leg. But in 6 months, he was back
fighting and after signing of the ceasefire, he kept himself
busy by building military fortifications. He spent his days and
nights in the field, and worked at such a pace, that even people
with two legs couldn't keep up with him. It was with his active
participation that the military training center, of which even
the elite Moscow facilities can be jealous, was built from zero.

They almost worship their commander in AOK. For example, the
massive system of defensive fortifications, which today similar
to Maginot Line encircles the entire borders of Karabakh, is
unofficially called Ohanian's Line. During the war, they say,
Azeris were offering one million dollars for the head of the
commander of Mardakert front.

Soviet School

At the time of our visit, on General Ohanian's work desk there
was a book by Marshal Shtemenko, "General Headquarters in
War Years". "We take all that is positive from the experience
of the Soviet Army and are actively filtering out all that is
negative." By the way, the 200 thousand strong army of Azerbaijan,
as is known, is energetically reorganizing according to the
Turkish style. Even their military step is Turkish nowadays.

Today, Soviet style (one regiment - one defense region) regiments
of AOK are countered by two Azeri corps, each with five-six
brigades. Brigades are formed by six to eight battalions. But
if opportunity comes, the breakthrough attack will be carried
out by the elite units, including the Marines, which are now in
the rear and are carrying out intense military training under the
direction of Turkish instructors - who are not the worst military
specialists in the world. That is why the "euphoria of victory",
ruling now in Stepanakert, seriously concerns Karabakh command.

Today Azerbaijan's army is several-fold larger in number, than
the armed forces of Armenia and NKR together. But in Karabakh,
they think that these forces are not sufficient to break through
the Ohanian's Line so easily. Besides, here they prepare for
the possibility of war in real terms: exactly once a week, no
matter what, soldiers and officers of Artsakh conduct live-fire
training exercises in the field. They are also replenishing their
supplies of armaments, even though in the 'pyramids' (armories)
there are still war-time machine guns. But the main problem is
the officer cadres.

From three thousand officers of AOK only forty have served in
the Soviet Army. Three hundred more went through training in
Yerevan military academy and in Russian establishments of higher
learning. Recently Boris Davidov, commander of 4th regiment,
graduated with honors from All-Military Academy in Moscow. In
the peaceful past Davidov was the graduate of Timiriazevsk
Academy. Behind the shoulders of the Deputy Defense Minister
lieutenant-colonel Aleksan Aleksanian are the Polytechnic
Institute and the academic courses "Vistrel" (Shot). Students
from Azerbaijan don't neglect Russian military academies either,
but as Moscow instructors communicated to "Itogi", officers from
Karabakh are working harder than all the others.


Photo: A tank driver looking out from his tank.]

In Soviet times there was an axiom: if three Armenians served in
a subdivision at the same time, it meant a guaranteed disorder
and brothel in the whole stationed division, if there were more
Armenians - an utter lawlessness would ensue. In simple terms, it
was thought that it would be impossible to create a regular army
purely "comprised of Armenians", because it was thought, these
people were spoiled by the warm climate and abundance of food and
wealth. For AOK this axiom turned out to be false. At one time,
Alexander Lebed (famous Russian General and elected governor of
Krasnoyarsk, who brokered ceasefire in the first Chechen War),
who visited Karabakh after the war, acknowledged, that the
battle readiness of AOK is higher than the Russian Army, and
there is more order. It was not hard to compare the two, because
the military life and methods of training are almost identical.

Flying Russian Style

During the war Karabakhis shot down several dozen Azeri planes and
helicopters and unfortunately, one of their own MiGs. Following
that, they themselves would joke bitterly: "After that military
loss the Armenian Air Force was reduced exactly by a half". In the
beginning of the war the Armenian military aviation was comprised
only of two planes. By the way, that unfortunate pilot remained
alive. He parachuted and landed on the town square where he was
given a good beating until the anxious defenders of Stepanakert
figured out what had happened. Now, as the unfaltering sense of
humor of the Armenian Radio (a line of famous jokes in Soviet
Union) confirms, during every flight over the capital of NKR, he
sends advance notification to the Air Defense Forces of Karabakh,
which are part of Armenia's Air Defense Forces, and thus part
of CIS'.

It is not a secret that the planes of Azeri Air Force were
manned mainly by Russian and Ukrainian crews, who were flying
for money of course. Some of them were captured. Participants
of the Karabakh War say that they could visually tell when the
planes were flown by Russians: the bombs were released not on
populated areas but in the mountains. One of them even landed
his plane on the Armenian side. He didn't become national hero
of course, but he got some applause for making some money and
in the process not harming fellow Christians...

On the Border Clouds Are Menacing...

"We have won only due to our high spirit!" - says General
Ohanian. In the beginning the defense detachments of Karabakh had
no military experience, no weapons - the main military warehouses
were on the Azeri side, furthermore just before their pullout,
the Soviet Interior Troops carried out a thorough combing of
Karabakh. That is why they were fighting practically with bare
hands and trophies, until they secured supplies from Russia
(remember the scandalous and criminal cases about arms shipments
of Pavel Grachev's times). Monte Melkonian, (Armenian born in
Lebanon and Harvard graduate) the legendary in Karabakh commander
of 2nd regiment, used to make his subordinates account for
destroying enemy tanks instead of capturing them intact.

Experience came later. And now, the opponents of the NKR Defense
Minister are arguing that the military training should be built
on the basis of their own military traditions. Seyran Ohanian
prefers a compromise: own military experience plus classic Soviet
military tactic. According to his opinion, the next war will be
different - more professional. Here is how they picture the future
battles in Stepanakert. Before, they thought that with the start
of the hostilities the first line of trenches will be taken by
the experienced reservists and the new recruits will take the
second line of defense. The thinking was that the "old timers"
will not dare to retreat. General Ohanian thinks differently:
in order to facilitate the merging of experience and training,
reservists and new recruits should be mixed in one unit...

According to Karabakh reconnaissance, there were intense ground
works on the other side of the frontlines at night and in the
morning Azeri positions became closer. In some areas two opposing
armies are separated only by fifty meters. A tank can cover
that distance in one swing. But colonel Davidov is sure that his
subordinates will hold: "You can't run from a submarine!" Really,
Karabakhis have nowhere to retreat.


[Photo: A squad of soldiers in full gear, fatigues, and camouflage
on tactical exercises.]
[Caption: Every day life of Army of Self Defense of Karabakh:
tactical training, marching, training, and servicing of military

Source: http://www.itogi.ru/paper2002.nsf/A...21_13_2330.html

[Armenian]

The Moscow Times
By Kim Iskyan

Armenia is one of a small and dwindling number of former Soviet republics
that assuages, rather than aggravates, Russia's hurt ego in what used to be
its geopolitical backyard. While the special relationship between Russia and
Armenia is hardly new, its increasing intensity holds important implications
for the smaller country's future, as well as for the balance of power in the
Caucasus and throughout what remains of Russia's old sphere of influence.

Goodwill between Armenia and Russia has deep historical roots and is
sustained by Russia's recent role as Armenia's protector. Russia is the ace
up Armenia's sleeve against feared aggression by Turkey, Armenia's
historical enemy, and as a deterrent to a renewal of the war between Armenia
and Azerbaijan over the disputed enclave of Nagorny Karabakh (during which
Russia supplied critical military assistance to Armenia). As a consequence
of the war, both Turkey and Azerbaijan blockade their borders with Armenia.

Armenia plays eager host to a few Russian bases and a few thousand Russian
troops, who patrol Armenia's borders with Turkey and Iran. During the
Georgian political crisis in November 2003, the Russian and Armenian defense
ministers signed agreements deepening their military cooperation, and, a few
days later, then Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov called Armenia
"Russia's only ally in the south."

Indeed, Georgia appears increasingly determined to remove itself from the
Russian orbit, particularly after the recent crisis in Adzharia. And Russian
relations with Azerbaijan, never particularly warm, remain dominated by oil
concerns. Armenia is one of the relatively few former Soviet republics where
Russian troops are welcomed and where they don't have to rub shoulders with
the U.S. military, such as in Georgia or Kyrgyzstan.

On another front, Russia has staged what appears to be a benign takeover of
a number of Armenia's economic arteries.

Virtually the entire Armenian energy sector is under Russian control,
following the transfer last year of the management of Armenia's critical
nuclear power plant, and six hydroelectric plants, to UES as part of a broad
equity-for-debt deal. Armenia receives its natural gas from Russia via
Armrusgazprom, which is 45 percent owned by Gazprom. Rostelecom is a
possible buyer of Armenia's telephone monopoly. Russian financial
institutions, often under ethnic Armenian management, are slowly moving into
Armenia's banking and insurance sectors. And with Russia one of Armenia's
largest trade partners, the health of the Armenian economy is closely linked
to that of Russia's, as the slowdown following the 1998 financial crisis
demonstrated.

Russia is the gray cardinal of the Armenian political scene, in contrast to
the meager influence it exerts on domestic politics in most other CIS
countries. Prior to Armenia's February 2003 presidential election, President
Robert Kocharyan made a pilgrimage to Moscow to receive the blessing of
President Vladimir Putin; some analysts viewed the transfer of Armenia's
energy assets to Russia as a quid pro quo for Putin's continued support.

Indeed, the Armenian government is highly vulnerable to any disruption --
inadvertent or otherwise -- of the flow of energy resources from Russia, and
works hard to stay in the good graces of the Kremlin.

The close links between powerful members of the Armenian diaspora in Russia
and Putin spurred rumors recently that Putin, now freed from the distraction
of getting re-elected, might become more involved in Armenia's domestic
political scene to solidify Russia's position in Armenia. In the meantime,
Kocharyan seems to be taking a page out of Putin's handbook on
authoritarianism, tightening the state's grip on the media, stifling dissent
and otherwise trying to limit the scope for the evolution of a credible
opposition.

Armenia's official foreign policy is to foster amicable relations without
picking favorites -- a rational policy for a small, isolated nation flanked
by unfriendly neighbors in an unstable region. Armenia leverages the
political clout of the Armenian diaspora in the United States and, to a
lesser degree, the European Union, to win governmental aid and assistance.
It also hedges its military bets by participating in NATO Partnership for
Peace exercises and lending quiet support to the American war on terror.

U.S. and EU concerns in the region are focused on the politics of oil and
pipelines in Azerbaijan and the Caspian area more generally -- with changes
in Georgia now also jockeying for the limited attention that the West allots
to the Caucasus. Meanwhile, efforts to deepen relations with southern
neighbor Iran (such as through the construction of a natural gas pipeline)
receive frosty glares from the West and a mixed reception from Russia.

Russia is home to roughly 1.8 million Armenians -- compared with the
official, and inflated, figure of 3.2 million inhabitants of Armenia
proper -- who send home remittances of roughly $110 million every year
(equivalent to 4 percent of GDP), according to the Armenian Foreign
Ministry. Not surprisingly, there is no stigma attached to speaking Russian
in Armenia, unlike elsewhere in the former Soviet bloc.

Armenian dependence on Russia is steadily deepening, binding Armenia's
future -- for better or for worse -- all the more tightly to Russia. And as
Russian influence in the CIS continues to erode, its role in Armenia serves
as a pleasant, if Lilliputian, reminder of what it once had.

[Armenian]

BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- China is ready to make joint efforts with Armenia to raise bilateral relations to a new level, said Chinese President Hu Jintao here Monday.

Hu made the remark in talks with visiting Armenian President Robert Sedrakovich Kocharyan, who is on his first state visit to China as president. Hu vowed to increase political trust, saying China and Armenia should carry out multi-channel and multi-layer exchanges, keep up political and diplomatic consultations and strengthen communication in such international organizations as the United Nations. The two countries should find new ways to expand trade by taking advantage of their trade cooperation committee, said Hu, adding that China encourages Chinese companies to step up cooperation with Armenia and to increase their investment in Armenia's infrastructural construction.

Hu also advocated further exchanges and cooperation between thetwo countries in the fields of culture, education, science and technology, health and tourism. Agreeing with the Chinese president, Kocharyan said Armenia expects deepening bilateral relations with China, since the growing relationship is of great significance to Armenia. China has accumulated much experience in the process of developing its market economy and practicing opening-up policy, which provides a vital opportunity for trade cooperation, said Kocharyan.

Armenia recognizes China's full market economy status, hoping the two sides strengthen cooperation in such fields as energy, chemical industry, agriculture and technology, said Kocharyan. Thetwo sides could take proper measures to help the entrepreneurs enhance exchange and understanding to expand cooperation. Hu said China and Armenia have treated each other with mutual respect and equality since they forged diplomatic ties 12 years ago. Hu said he appreciated Armenia's diplomatic policy that puts priority on relations with China, one of the earliest countries torecognize Armenia as an independent nation, and expressed thanks for Armenia's firm support in controversial areas such as Taiwan and Tibet.

Kocharyan said the two countries have seen sound economic development and have taken similar stances on international issueswith no political problems. Kocharyan said Armenia would continue to adhere to "One-China Policy" and support China's reunification. After the talks, the two heads of states signed a joint statement and attended a signing ceremony for three cooperative agreements, including an agreement on economic and technical cooperation. End item

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/20...nt_2030802.htm

[Thai-Samurai]

all these articles are cool, and whats this about Armenia having over 300,000 active troops? That's nuts, The U.S. barely has 160,000 to send to Iraq.