The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Russia-British ties hit post Cold War low

The relationship between Moscow and London has hit a post-Cold War low with the murder of a former Russian agent in London and exile Boris Berezovsky's call to overthrow President Vladimir Putin. "It is at this moment worse that it has been at any time, if you measure it in terms of political rhetoric, worse than since the end of the Cold War," Roderic Lyne, the former British ambassador in Moscow, told Agence France-Presse.

Ties took a sharp turn for the worse when Berezovsky told The Guardian newspaper earlier this month that "we need to use force to change this regime ... It isn't possible to change this regime through democratic means." The government in Moscow immediately renewed its call for the extradition of the Russian oligarch while its ambassador in London warned of a "new situation" between the two countries. "For Putin there is only one question to the UK government, the extradition of Berezovsky. Our relation with this country is based on one problem," said liberal businessman Boris Nemtsov, Russia's former deputy prime minister. Russian political analyst Igor Bunin recalled that ties also worsened with the radiation poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko, the former agent turned Kremlin critic who died an agonizing death on November 23 in London.

According to the Mail on Sunday, the British police are preparing warrants for the arrests of three Russians suspected of having poisoned Litvinenko with the highly-radioactive polonium 210. However, Moscow has already said it will extradite no-one. The showdown over Berezovsky is "only one in a number of items" undermining ties, Lyne said. Others include a range of human rights issues as well as "the concerns in western Europe over whether or not Russia intends to use energy as a weapon," he added. "But I think the most sensitive areas have been the area or territory of the neighbors of Russia and of the European Union, the countries coming into the European union and NATO," Lyne said.

Source: http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/a...?enewsid=71889

In related news:

Senior UK diplomat and British gay rights advocate beaten up after campaign of Russian harassment


Anti-homosexual protesters in Russia attack British human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. Mr Tatchell was punched, knocked to the ground, and kicked while protesting about gay rights with a group of European parliamentarians.

A senior British diplomat has been beaten by two unidentified assailants while on an official trip in provincial Russia. Nigel Gould-Davies, first secretary at the British embassy in Moscow, was attacked at 1am on Saturday as he walked across the theatre square in the Siberian city of Chita, police said. Mr Gould-Davies needed hospital treatment for bruises to his face. His glasses were broken in the attack and he was unable to see his assailants, police said. The beating is the second assault on Britons in Russia in two days, and follows an attack on Sunday by anti-homosexual protesters on the British human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell (picture above). Mr Tatchell was punched, knocked to the ground, and kicked while protesting about gay rights with a group of European parliamentarians. Yesterday embassy officials described the attack on Mr Gould-Davies as a random assault carried out by drunken teenagers celebrating the end of the school year.

But the assault follows sustained state-sponsored harassment by the pro-Kremlin youth group Nashi against Anthony Brenton, Britain's ambassador in Moscow. Activists have picketed the British embassy, disrupted meetings and jumped in front of the ambassador's car. The campaign started last summer after Mr Brenton attended a human rights conference. Mr Gould-Davies was at the end of a two-week lecture tour in Siberia. The diplomat had given lectures to university students on globalisation, and had also met with regional officials. Chita, 3,760 miles east of Moscow, is home to Russia's most famous inmate - Mikhail Khordorkovsky. Khordorkovsky was jailed for eight years for tax evasion and fraud in a case widely seen as politically motivated, and as punishment for his role in funding opposition parties ahead of 2003 Duma elections.

Embassy officials yesterday said there was no link between Mr Gould-Davies's trip and Khordorkovsky. An embassy spokesman said: "We can confirm that an assault took place against a British diplomat in Chita. We are in close contact with him. We look to the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are caught." In Moscow, three Russian gay activists appeared in court yesterday following Sunday's demonstrations, which saw the arrest of 25 campaigners, including the German Green MP Volker Beck and the Italian MEP Marco Cappato. The mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, yesterday wrote to Moscow's mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, urging him to lift the ban on gay parades in the city that prompted Sunday's protest. He also called for all charges against the gay rights demonstrators to be dropped. "I am writing to convey my deep concern at the reported physical violence against and arrest of Peter Tatchell," Mr Livingstone wrote, adding that gay parades were now "the practice in most cities around the world".

Yesterday Mr Tatchell said he was still recovering. He said the Moscow police had "stood and watched" while far-right skinheads kicked him to the ground and punched him. "Even today I'm woozy. My eyesight is pretty poor. It's difficult to see clearly," he told the Guardian. "It's almost on a par with the beating I received at the hands of Robert Mugabe's thugs in 2001. This time I wasn't knocked unconscious and left in the gutter. But I ended up with a much bloodier face and severe bruising and swelling." Mr Tatchell yesterday registered a complaint about his treatment with Moscow police. Officials, however, defended the actions of riot police. "The city authorities did the right thing by prohibiting the parade and thus preventing clashes between opponents who are numerous in this country and advocates of sexual minorities," said Mikhail Solomentsev, a spokesman for Moscow's mayor.

Video of Attack: http://www.queerty.com/news/russias-...ride-20070529/

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/russia/art...d=networkfront

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

ANKARA'S NABUCCO POLICY ANGERS SOME

By Lale Sariibrahimoglu Today's Zaman, Turkey May 22 2007

Some European energy experts believe that Russia's latest deals with
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan -- which could jeopardize Turkey's policy
of becoming an energy route for Caspian oil and gas, bypassing the
strategic and busy Bosporus and Dardanelles straits -- should be seen
as a serious blow both to Turkey and the EU's aspirations to reduce
reliance on Russian gas and energy. The renewed risks of Russia's
increased dominance in the Caspian region first surfaced when Russian
President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement with Bulgaria and Greece
in March for building the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline to carry
Russian oil.

Then came the news from Turkmenistan early last week that Putin and
the region's main energy producers, Turkmenistan's President Gurbangul
Berdymukhamedov and Kazakhstan's Nursultan Nazarbayev, shook hands to
build a pipeline along the Caspian Sea coast to ship Turkmen natural
gas to Western markets via Kazakhstan and Russia.

A few days before, Nazarbayev said at a May 10 meeting in the Kazakh
capital of Astana with Russian President Putin, that 17 million tons
of Kazakh oil might be used in the Burgas-Alexandroupolis project,
the Russian Itar Tass news agency reported.

All this news obviously represented a blow to both US and European
efforts to secure alternatives to Middle East oil and gas that are
intended to be independent from Russian influence, such as US-backed
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, which has started carrying oil
to the European markets via Turkey's Ceyhan port in the south.

It may be true that the two deals are also expected to reduce
Kazakhstan's interest in routes connecting with the BTC pipeline.

Russia's deals with Turkmenistan, in particular, also have the
potential to affect the Nabucco natural gas pipeline project, which
will transport natural gas from Turkey to Austria, via Bulgaria,
Romania, and Hungary as it is intended to reduce Europe's dependence
on Russian gas.

Western diplomatic sources recall that Nabucco has the capacity to
meet around only 10 percent of the gas needs of Europe, but politically
it is an important project as it is intended to bypass Russian gas.

But according to the same sources, Turkey's slowness in making a
decision contributed to the prevention of Nabucco partners from
signing a deal to secure the supply contract.

"The Nabucco project, of course, is not finished simply because Russia
made these latest deals. But we [Nabucco] partners could have proved
to the Azeris and Turkmens that the project is going to be a reality
soon with the signing of the supply contracts. But Turkey has been
taking it too slow," claimed one Western source.

The same source recalled that delays in decisions prompted supplier
countries such as Turkmenistan to look for other routes to transport
its gas.

It is worth remembering here that Turkey's slowness in taking quick
action prevented the realization of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline
project in the past that was intended to carry Turkmen gas via Turkey
to European markets.

Though Iranian gas is also important for the Nabucco project, the
initial supply contracts for Nabucco should have been signed with
both Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

Turkey's attempts to use its political influence, among other things,
on pricing the gas also makes the other Nabucco partners nervous.

Turkey has to follow EU norms under which it cannot block any country,
and Nabucco needs a liberalized gas export as well as a liberalized
transit routes, according to Western energy experts.

For example, Turkey's suspension of talks with Gaz de France recently
over Nabucco in reaction to a French bill on the condemnation of the
so-called genocide of the Armenians during Ottoman rule, making denial
of the genocide a crime, angered other pipeline project partners.

Some partners stressed that the secure supply of gas via the pipeline
should be free of political influence and that Turkey should not
use politics in this project. The four other countries involved in
the project, Bulgaria, Romania, Austria and Hungary, have already
approved partnership with Gaz de France in the project, which will
transmit Caspian and Iranian gas to Western Europe, bypassing Russia.

It is also true that independent from Turkey, the project faces a
series of problems, including financing, possible steel bottlenecks
and pending EU permits for the pipeline. If construction of the
3,300-kilometer-long pipeline starts in 2008, it could begin operating
in 2011. The 4.6 billion euro ($6.14 billion) project could transport
25.5 to 31 billion cubic meters of Caspian gas to Europe annually
by 2020.

Turkey's attempts to use politics in the Nabucco gas pipeline project
may be a hurdle in furthering the project, but the main reason behind
the project's slowness is the US's reservations toward Iran, which
has lately been involved in a serious standoff with the West over
its uranium enrichment program to acquire a nuclear bomb, according
to many. But at the end of the day Ankara should avoid pursuing narrow
approaches to some of its policies that also affect its economic
interests.

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Putin says missile tests were response to NATO's actions



Russia's president said Thursday his country's recent tests of new ballistic missiles and possible withdrawal from an arms control treaty are a direct response to harsh, unreasonable actions by NATO countries. Speaking at a news conference after meeting with the Greek president in the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin said Russia did not initiate the new wave of an international arms race, and condemned the planned deployment of a U.S. missile shield in Europe, and the development of new military bases on the continent.

"There is no need to fear Russia's actions, they are not aggressive... They are aimed at maintaining balance in the world order, and are extremely important for maintaining peace and security globally," Putin said. Russia conducted successful tests this week of a new ballistic missile with MIRV and a cruise missile allegedly capable of penetrating any operational and future missile defenses.

"We conducted a test of a new strategic ballistic missile with multiple warheads, and of a new cruise missile, and will continue to improve our resources," Putin said. The president suggested recently that Moscow might suspend its obligations under the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty if talks with NATO countries on its implementation show no visible progress.

No NATO members have yet ratified the re-drafted CFE pact, demanding that Russia first withdraw from Soviet-era bases in Georgia and Moldova under previous agreements. Russia, concerned over Europe's refusal to ratify the re-drafted version of the accord, and acceptance by certain EU states of U.S. missile shield plans on the continent, proposed on Monday holding an emergency CFE conference in Vienna on June 12-15.

"We are fully observing the provisions of the [CFE] treaty and have pulled out all heavy weaponry from the European part of Russia. We have reduced our armed forces by 300,000 personnel in the past few years, but what about our partners?" Putin said.

"They are inundating eastern Europe with new weapons - a new base in Bulgaria, another base in Romania, a [missile interceptor] site in Poland, a radar in the Czech Republic," the president said. "What are we supposed to do? We cannot just observe all this and continue to keep our obligations under the treaty."

Putin also stressed that the United States unilaterally withdrew from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002, paving the way to the deployment of its missile shield in Europe.

"Our American partners have left the ABM Treaty," he said. "We warned them then that we would take measures in response, to maintain the global strategic balance."

The U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense radar in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland as part of its European missile shield allegedly against "rogue" states, such as Iran and North Korea. Since Washington announced the plans earlier this year, Russia has vehemently opposed the deployment, citing its own national security concerns. Some of Russia's top generals hinted that the bases, if opened, could be targeted by Russian missiles.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070531/66418953.html

In related news:

Russian officials tout Iskander, MIRV as "21st century weapons"



The commander of the Russian Ground Forces, Alexei Maslov, said Wednesday Russia has "a 21st century weapon," following two successful missile tests Tuesday. Earlier commenting on the tests - of a strategic RS-24 MIRV intercontinental missile launched from the north and a new version of the Iskander (SS-26), an advanced theater-level surface-to-surface missile in the south - Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said, "Russians need not worry about defense: they can look confidently to the future."

"We now have new [missile] systems at the strategic as well as theater level," Ivanov had said, adding that "these systems can beat any operational and future missile defenses," in a veiled reference to U.S. plans to place part of its missile shield in Central Europe, notably Poland and Czech Republic. Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the U.S. plans at a Tuesday meeting with Jose Socrates, the premier of Portugal poised to take over as EU presidency on July 1.

"We believe that attempts to turn Europe into a powder keg and to deploy new kinds of weapons are harmful and dangerous," Putin said. The RS-24 is a MIRVed version of the operational Topol-M (SS-25), carrying up to 10 independently targetable warheads. The R-500 is a new cruise missile adapted for the Iskander launcher previously used only with tactical ballistic missiles. With a range of up to 280 km (170 miles), a radar-evading trajectory and a hit error of no more than three meters, it can be effectively used against small targets, including separate missile launchers.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070530/66322059.html

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN COMMISSION EXAMINES PROSPECTS FOR BUILDING NEW NUCLEAR POWER PLANT



ARMENPRESS
May 30 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS: Head of the Russian Unified Energy Systems
(RAO UES) Anatoly Chubais said in Yerevan on Tuesday that the planned
reorganization of the Russian company will not affect the operation
of companies which it owns in Armenia.

Chubais was in Armenia to chair a regular meeting of chiefs of power
grids from former Soviet republics.

Speaking to local journalists, he said the Russian company observers
its investment commitments with regard to all its Armenia-based
companies.

RAO UES owns the Armenian Electrical Networks (AEN), the Sevan-Hrazdan
chain of hydro power plants and also handles the financial management
of the Armenian nuclear power plant in Metzamor. Another Russian
company, Gazprom, owns the fifth unit of the Hrazdan thermal power
plant in central Armenia.

Armenian deputy energy minister Areg Galstian said a joint
Russian-Armenian commission was set up to make a study what
technologies and resources could be utilized to build a new nuclear
power plant in Armenia.

"In terms of a long-run strategy and form the macroeconomic perspective
the best option for us is to replace the operating nuclear power
plant with a new one," he said.

Armenia has pledged to close its Soviet-era built nuclear power plant
in 2016.

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

BP likely to lose giant Russian gas field



Russia's state licensing agency is due to meet Friday to decide the fate of the Kovykta gas field.

MOSCOW (Reuters) -- BP Plc's Russian venture is likely to lose its license for the giant Kovykta gas field Friday, although Moscow could postpone the tough action until after the G8 Summit and its landmark economic forum. The state licensing agency is due to meet at around 8:00 a.m. ET to review the issue.

"We believe the delay in a final decision is plausible, but ultimately the license is likely to be recalled," said Steven Dashevsky from Aton brokerage. The Vedomosti daily newspaper quoted Friday a source close to TNK-BP as saying that the licensing agency, Rosnedra, might postpone its decision on Kovykta until the end of the Russian Economic Forum in St Petersburg on June 10. If the license is withdrawn this week the Kovykta issue may also emerge high on the agenda of the G8 summit to be held on June 6-8 in Germany.

The protracted battle for the $20-billion Kovykta, which has enough reserves to supply the world with gas for almost a year, is seen by many analysts as part of a Kremlin drive to consolidate major energy resources under state control. Russia's environmental agency RosPrirodNadzor (RPN) earlier this year accused TNK-BP of underproduction at the field. The firm had hoped to use the field for gas exports to China but was forced to trim production to cover only local needs after gas export monopoly Gazprom banned the plan as it has its own rival project to supply China.

Gazprom chief Alexei Miller and BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward met on Thursday, but gave little information other than to say they discussed working together in the European, U.S. and Russian energy markets. TNK-BP has repeatedly tried to rescue the project by ceding control to Gazprom, but the latter has said it was not interested in the field as the project was risky.

"Even though the chances for a precedent-setting license repeal... are high, we still hope that TNK-BP and Gazprom can find a last minute solution," said Oleg Maximov from Troika Dialog. Shares of BP (Charts) closed up 0.3 percent to $67.23 in extended trading Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange. Its competitors include Exxon Mobile (Charts, Fortune 500), Shell (Charts), Chevron (Charts, Fortune 500), and ConocoPhillips (Charts, Fortune 500).

Source: http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/01/news...urce=aol_quote

In related news:

Caspian gas pipeline project to start by mid-2008: Russia PM

Moscow, June 1: Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov today said the construction of a rival gas pipeline to ship Central Asian gas along the Caspian Sea coast and through Russia would start in the second half of 2008. The date for the project, opposed to the US-sponsored pipeline across the inland sea, bypassing Russia, would be stipulated in a deal between Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to be drafted by September 1, Fradkov told journalists here after his talks with his Kazakh counterpart Karim Masimov.

''We have given instructions in line with presidential accords. By September 1, we have to draft an inter-governmental agreement on the construction of a gas pipeline and the reconstruction of the existing pipeline system, with the latter project to include Uzbekistan,'' he said. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Turkmen President Gurbaguly Berdymukhammedov reached agreement to build a pipeline from Turkmenistan along Kazakhstan's Caspian coast and on to Russia, the sole re-exporter of Turkmen gas.

They also promised to sign an agreement on the construction of pipeline in September. Mr Putin said earlier the restoration of Soviet-era pipelines going to Russia via Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan would make it possible to boost gas transit by at least 12 billion cubic meters by 2012. Despite the agreement on the Caspian pipeline, Berdymukhammedov said the Caspian project bypassing Russia remained on the agenda, as it provided a means of diversifying gas supplies.

Source: http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?ac...lnews&id=34539

Russia rejects accusations of 'energy imperialism'

Russia on Friday rejected accusations it was using its vast natural resources as a weapon for "energy imperialism," with a top minister saying Moscow was not guilty of trying to manipulate neighbours.

"Many accuse Russia of... energy imperialism. Earlier we threatened everyone militarily, whereas now, it seems, we threaten everyone with our energy resources and allegedly tie their hands," Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said, news agency Interfax reported.

"We are not tying anyone's hands," said Ivanov, a former defence minister widely seen as a potential successor to President Vladimir Putin in 2008. In recent months Russia has been accused by the United States and other Western countries of using its energy resources as a political weapon. Western Europe suffered gas shortfalls at the start of 2006 when Russian gas monopoly Gazprom cut off supplies to Ukraine due to a pricing dispute with the ex-Soviet republic. Energy security is expected to be a key topic next week at discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Western counterparts at the G8 summit in Germany.

Source: http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=179218

Russia won't repair pipeline to Baltics

MOSCOW, June 1: Russia has no plans to repair a pipeline supplying crude oil to Lithuania, with officials saying Friday that shipping oil by sea is preferable. Energy and Industry Minister Viktor Khristenko said that abandoning the Druzhba pipeline may cost the country some business but not enough to justify the cost of repairs, Kommersant reported. The pipeline was shut down after an inspection found more than 8,000 defects.

Lithuania has the only refinery in the Baltic States, Mazeikiu Nafta. A Polish company, PKN Orlen, outbid others for the refinery in 2006. It was previously owned jointly by the Russian oil company Yukos and the Lithuanian government. The closing of the pipeline has been difficult for Mazeikiu Nafta, which lost more than $39 million in the first quarter. Lithuanian President Valdus Adamkus has tried to convince Russia to repair the pipeline, threatening to block a new agreement between Russia and the European Union.

Source http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?a...lnews&id=34682

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

I never knew that the Russians played a significant military role during Armenia's War of Independence in 1918. Military history enthusiasts will find the following article quite interesting.

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER (The contribution of Russian officers to the Armenian independence)

June 7 2002 at 3:05 AM
by Hrant SARKISOV

May 26, 1918 marked a New Era for the Armenian people, era of Independence after more than five hundred years of subservient stateless existence. That day, the day of Battle of Sardarapat is the real Independence Day for Armenians. Therefore for us the words INDEPENDENCE and SARDARAPAT are nearly synonymous. Sardarapat is a small spot on the map of Armenia, spot that would have remained unnoticed if it hadn't become the symbol of the great victory, symbol of the glorious hour for Armenian nation, turning point in the modern Armenian history when we proved that we regain our capability to fight and win the battle. Sardarapat, village called in the name of wall built by the governor of a Persian province. Sardarapat… Sa – Ardar – Pat. This is a fair wall. So it sounds in translation from Armenian into English. Probably it was not just a coincidence that this battle took place exactly here. There is truth in it. Here people rose as a wall in the name of eternal truth, the freedom, in the name of life and independence. People remember their heroes. People remember everyone who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Armenians not sparing their life in the name of truth, and brotherhood. Speaking about Sardarapat let us first look at the theatre of operations where the miracle of Sardarapat became possible.

During the first world war Russia waged successful military campaign against Turkey on the Caucasian front. Before ceasefire concluded in December of 1916 many cities of Western Armenia, such as Van, Sarikamish, Erzerum, Trapizond, Artvin, Bayazet were liberated. A little more and the Turks would have surrendered. But the destiny disposed differently. After the October revolution bolsheviks who came to power signed the Brest-Litovsk separate treaty with Triple Alliance states according to which the Russian armies were withdrawn from Caucasus. Territories liberated by the Russian army were to be given back to Turkey.

Withdrawal of Russian troops from the Caucasian front (because of revolution more resembling exodus) began in December of 1917. That was putting Armenians in terrible situation when extended frontline got defenceless. The Armenian army corps had been urgently formed with the active assistance and participation of Russian officers and soldiers. Many of them stayed in Armenia helping to defend the country. For example, during the period of Erzinjan fights and the battle of Erzerum the command over the first Armenian infantry brigade was carried out by Russian army colonel Morel.

Despite the intense fights in the Western Armenia between Armenian forces and Turkish army Turks were rapidly advancing. Erzinjan fell on February 12, then followed Baiburt, and Erzerum. On February 24 Turks occupied Trapizond and Mamakhatun. The threat of Turkish invasion in Transcaucasia, beyond the line agreed in Brest-Litovsk Treaty, became very real. At that time Chicherin, Minister of foreign affairs of Russia, sent a telegram addressed to the German ambassador in Tiflis of the following content: "The Turkish army is advancing towards Batum, Kars, Ardahan, ravaging and killing the civilians. The responsibility for the further destiny of the Armenians is assigned to Germany, for the Russian armies were withdrawn from the Armenian areas at Germany's request. Now constraining the Turkish armies from usual excesses is up to Germany."

Policies of Transcaucasian Federation's government resulted in loss of Kars. The chairman of Transcaucasian Federative Democratic Republic's government Mr. Chkhenkeli ordered Lieutenant-General Nazarbekov, commander of the Armenian corps, hand over the city to the Turks without fight for all that the general himself was categorically against that decision as his armies had a real opportunity to repel Turks' attack and to keep Kars fortress area for more than a month. The objections of the commander of the corps were rejected, and the city and the fortress of Kars that had all resources to stand against the enemy at least for a month was given up with almost no resistance.

Then Turks occupied Alexandropol (Gyumri), and were advancing their large forces towards Karakilis and Erivan (Yerevan). The historical battle took place in the environs of Sardarapat, on the approaches to Erivan, where the Turks were stopped and defeated. The Russians, Greeks, Yezidis fought together with Armenians. The hastily formed First special horse regiment under the command of Sergeant-Major Zolotarev fought with a special courage. (In Cossack formations the rank of sergeant-major was equal to the rank of lieutenant-colonel). A famous Soviet commander Marshal Baghramian fought under Zolotarev's command who made Baghramian non-commissioned officer in the first squadron of the regiment. "He was an efficient, exigent and skilled commander", the marshal would write later about Zolotarev in his memoirs.

Under his command in the battle of Sardarapat the regiment successfully attacked the Turks from the limits of the Kerpalu (Arshaluis) and Kerdukli (Armavir) villages, and destroying Turkish detachments advanced to the Kamishlu (Eghegnut) railway station and liberated the village and Sardarapat railway station. Partisan infantry regiment that consisted of the Cossacks and Armenians under the command of Colonel Perekrestov distinguished in the battle of Sardarapat. The Cossacks caught the Turks by surprise suddenly appearing before them. Captain Shneur was appointed the Chief of staff of Sardarapat detachment. Together with the commander of detachment, General Daniel Bek-Pirumov, he directly participated in the battle.

One of the heroes of the campaign was General Movses Silikov, cadre general of tsarist army, and commander in chief of the Erivan group of the Armenian forces. Besides concentrating the main forces of the group in Sardarapat detachment he properly deployed them and ensured success of the whole campaign. Silikov, udin by origin, appealed to the Armenian nation calling all men and women to stand up for protection of their country.

Marshal of the Soviet Union Ivan Baghramian in his memoirs wrote about Silikov: "I can not pass over in silence the outstanding merits of Major-General Silikov in routing Turks in the environs of Sardarapat in the spring of 1918. I am strongly convinced that Silikov was the most gifted commander among the Armenian generals of that time. As other generals and the majority of senior Armenian officers, he did not know the Armenian language, and had no sufficient notion of the people, its fighting traditions and specific traits of the personnel in national army." Thanks to General Silikov the Sardarapat operation was carried out successfully.

Three hundred yezid horsemen led by Jahangir agha also contributed to the victory, as did two squadrons of Russians who participated in the battle of Sardarapat under the command of Zemliak. Captain Bort headed the Armenian detached shock regiment created in Alexandropol. General Baratov, Lieutenant-Colonels Spitsin, Kafiev, Efremovich, Khmelnitskiy, Khelminskiy, Kablitskiy, artilleryman Ensign Klich, Captain Sakellary and many other Russian officers also participated in the battle of Sardarapat. Groups of volunteers were formed not only in Armenia, but also in Russia. A regiment of 500-600 bayonets under the command of Colonel Samartsev, part of Andranik's division operating on Karakilis line, was sent to Khnus front.

Among those who arrived from Russia to fight against Turkish aggressors, there was also Siberian Armenian company. In March, 1918 in Tiflis Andranik took command over the company which later became a part of the Armenian detached shock regiment. Three brilliant Russian officers were among the staff of the company. Lieutenant Kolmakov, one of its commanders, wrote in detail about this company in the series of articles titled the "Historical Armenian company." Articles were published in 1919 in several issues of "Nashe Vremia" Baku newspaper. "It was a company of 210 Armenian prisoners of war, - writes Kolmakov,- voluntarily surrendered to us in fights with Turks and for unknown reasons evacuated by our government to Siberia, as if in gratitude for their sympathies to Russia." Kolmakov, a Russian patriot fond of the Armenian people and appreciating its fidelity to Russia voluntarily joined the company and arriving in Tiflis joined the formed regiment. Later he joined Andranik's detachment.

Kolmakov participated in many battles, he was fighting side by side with Andranik. He wrote: "Andranik's detachment was encircled, Turks had captured the railway station. It was extremely dangerous situation but someone had to stop Turkish attack and ensure the evacuation of civilians from Kazanchi, Shnshtap, Chiftali, Guyullibulakh and other villages where fierce fights were going. Andranik himself on a lathery horse headed the fight with a naked sabre. Having slightly reined in the horse, the general commanded: "Forward! Follow me! Hurrah!" And he galloped forward fearless as always. We followed him. The Turks rained bullets and shells, but that could not stop us: Andranik was with us. There was Turkish cavalry. It couldn't endure our raid and ran away in panic. Turks were defeated. But Andranik didn't pursue them for a horde of Turks still approached us both from the front and flanks. He ordered all villages to evacuate for our group of three thousand fighters had to occupy a part of the front several thousand versts wide".

The days of the battle of Sardarapat, Andranik's division took up the main thrust of the Turkish army protecting a part of Karakilis-Tiflis road. He held the forces of Vekhib pasha who was intending to transfer the forces to Sardarapat. The Armenian army had to repulse also newly formed Azerbaijan Republic attacks that hankered after the Armenian lands. It is necessary to note here the outstanding role of General Denikin. Azerbaijan and Georgia on June 16, 1919 concluded a treaty against Denikin's Voluntary army and Armenia. In reply Denikin concluded a secret military pact with Armenia. The Republic of Armenia with its forces formed the 7th corps of Denikin's army. On September 9, 1919 Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the South of Russia issued an order: "In view of hostile attitude of the Azerbaijan authorities to the Russian army and in view of perfidious encroachment of the Azerbaijan armies upon Armenia's lands I command all officers of the Russian service in the Azerbaijan Army to leave the ranks of that army."

In 1919 Armenia was supported practically only by the Voluntary army. Denikin sent to Erivan some arms from his poor stocks. The hope for restoration of united Russia didn't abandon the Armenians and the Dashnak government did its best to help Denikin's army. After gaining independence Armenia didn't receive the expected support from England, thus the idea of American support came to the fore. President Woodrow Wilson promised to help but the Senate counted up the possible expenses and decided that supporting Armenia would cost American tax-payers 151,2 mln pounds within 5 years. That was too costly, and in reply to Wilson's appeal to their humanism the senators answered: "We don't want to get involved in European affairs even for humanitarian reasons".

In 1920 after the defeat of the main forces of Denikin Army Armenia again remained face to face with the Turks. The indifference of the Entente states to the destiny of Armenia amazed Russian emigres. "Even Bolshevik Russia is a better protection for Armenia than their official patrons from the Entente", wrote Miliukov. History repeats and teaches us time and again. At the beginning of the century we were unable to reap the fruits of our victory. The events of 1917-1920 should make many our politicians look on current events with a different perspective. Similarities are striking. Those who fought and shed their blood for the Armenian independence forever will remain in the memories and the hearts of grateful Armenians. From generation to generation their names will exemplify the heroism, humanism, true brotherhood, and genuine internationalism.

Source: http://armenia.ru/

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

ARMENIA'S FOREIGN TRADE TURNOVER WITH RUSSIA GROWS 70.3% TO $177.4MLN IN JAN-APR 2007

Arka News Agency, Armenia June 1 2007

YEREVAN, May 31. /ARKA/. Armenia's foreign trade turnover with Russia grew 70.3% and made $177.4mln in January-April 2007, Armenia's National Statistical Service reported. Exports from Armenia to Russia totaled $64.8mln (20% of the overall exports from Armenia) in the period - a 2.87-time increase as compared with January-April 2006. Imports to Armenia produced in Russia made $112.7mln in the period - a 38% increase. The total imports from Russia made $173.7mln (a 1.74-time increase) or 20% of the overall imports.

According to the statistics, 14.9% of the overall foreign trade turnover of Armenia falls to the share of Russia, which is the highest share among other countries. CIS countries provided 33.6% of Armenia's foreign trade turnover as compared to 29.3% in the same period of the previous year. The total volume of foreign trade turnover of Armenia increased 42.2% against January-April 2006 and made $1,193.6mln. The exports totaled $323.1mln and imports made $870.6mln in the period.

Source: http://www.arka.am/

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Interesting survey.

15 percent of Russians in favor of uniting Russia and Armenia

Russian citizens do not want to unite with any foreign state in unions or commonwealths, and less of all they would like to be in a union with Azerbaijan, Kirgizia, Tajikistan, Georgia and Turkey. These are the results of the social survey conducted by the Russian Center of Public Opinion Survey. According to the poll conducted in May 2007, 36 percent of respondents want to live only in Russia, 18 percent are in favor of a union with participation of Russia, Ukraine, Byelorussia and Kazakhstan. 17 percent of those surveyed wished to live in united USSR. Meanwhile only 13 percent of respondents expressed in favor of appearing in the EU, while only 9 percent wanted to integrate in the framework of CIS.

To the request to indicate the number of states that Russia should join with, 42 percent of respondents named Byelorussia, 36 percent –Ukraine, 30 percent –Kazakhstan. Popularity of other states and organizations is rather low. Only 17 percent of Russians wanted to appear in the EU, to join with Armenia –15 percent, with Moldova and Uzbekistan-14 percent, Azerbaijan and Kirgizia-13, Tajikistan –12, Georgia –11, Turkey –only 4 percent, RBK reports.

Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=22437

[skhara]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Armenian, I'm not sure there is much significance to that poll. There are 17% of them wanting to be part of EU, which is more than even Soviet nostalgia of re-uniting the post Soviet states. Note, there is little difference in the numbers between a very friendly to Russia -- Armenia; and a very hostile to Russia -- Georgia.

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Armenian, I'm not sure there is much significance to that poll.

I agree. I never said it was a significant development. I only said it was an "interesting" survey. As a matter of fact, I'm very suspicious of such types of polls, surveys, studies, etc. These kinds of studies (including "genetic studies" such as the one that recently attempted to prove that all British peoples are of the same stock) are generally conducted with some kind of an agenda, be it sociological, political or economic.