The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

[Armenian]

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

This new report is from 2004, when Moscow was only beginning to make noise and when I first began taking close notice.

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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.

[D3ADSY]

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

Looks like the only thing the Georgian infantry picked up from their US trainers is all that stupid hooting etc in the middle of battle.

[Lucin]

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

We Armenians should not be afraid of approaching Ankara with an open mind. There has been a serious/major geopolitical shift in the region and we as a nation need to adjust to it, lest we end up last in the line again. Had the recent warming in relations between Yerevan and Ankara been attempted before the recent crisis in the region, I would have been totally against it for reasons that I have previously outlined...

Yes, we've got to wait to see the final outcome of this mess but as far as I'm concerned, we Armenians will not be afraid of the current situation as long as the recent warming does not gradually lead to 'opening the borders' or 'recognizing the current Turkish borders' or 'dropping the Genocide recognition off the agenda of the State', other than that the recent developpments coming from Yerevan could not be tolerated. My primary concern would be the aforementioned and not a few words exchanged between the presidents for a show and under foreign pressure.

[jgk3]

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

I feel that one of the things Armenia may be forced to do (in an increasingly critical time) is the recognizing current Turkish borders, though I hope it doesn't happen.

[ZORAVAR]

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

Turkey Plays to Russia in Caucasus

Russia and Turkey have set to fulfilling the program of creating the Caucasus Cooperation and Stability Platform. Past weekend, Turkish President Abdullah Gul endeavored to persuade his Armenian counterpart Serge Sarkisian of the need to set up a new alliance. The same issue was discussed when Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mamediyarov visited Moscow. The alliance will strengthen the Caucasus standing of Moscow and Ankara and weaken the position of Washington there. Gul that arrived in Armenia Saturday was the first Turkish leader to set foot in that country. The highlights of the meeting were the improvement of bilateral relations and the chances to create the Caucasus Cooperation and Stability Platform. Erevan backed up the initiative of Ankara, and President Sarkisian assured that Armenia had been always welcoming the dialogue and had always stood for enhancing the confidence, security and cooperation in the region.

The presidents will proceed with the talks when Sarkisian visits Ankara by invitation of Abdullah Gul. For Erevan, the emergence of the platform means its relations with Turkey will become normal, the border will open and the goods of Armenia will flow to the markets of Turkey.

Azerbaijan didn’t hail that visit of Turkish president, which, however, will hardly prevent Baku from joining a new alliance initiated by Turkey should it wish to do so, of course. Although Azerbaijan has been manifesting the strive for cooperating with the West and for joining the NATO, the war for South Ossetia might have made some changes.

As to Moscow, it may offer two weighty arguments to Azerbaijan in an attempt to win its support and abandon the western collaboration. Both of them relate to settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, while Georgia will serve as a negative example. That state failed to deal with Abkhazia and South Ossetia all support of the United States notwithstanding.

Source: www.kommersant.com

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Concise, clear and to the point article.

I don't doubt that all this is being done with Moscow's blessing or orchestration.

We don't need to recognize borders or give away NK or any concessions of that sort, and no one is expecting us to do so. It is all politics, posturing, opening new channels, finding common ground etc. etc. I don't think anything bad will come out of this, on the contrary.

The only thing that worries me is that if some sort of a grouping in the Caucasus (including Russia and Turkey) takes place, not only Washington's influence will be weakened (good) but, Iran might be also marginalized (not so good).

[Armanen]

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

Venezuela to host Russia navy exercise in Caribbean

Sat Sep 6, 2008 11:57pm EDT


CARACAS (Reuters) - Several Russian ships and 1,000 soldiers will take part in joint naval maneuvers with Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea later this year, exercises likely to increase diplomatic tensions with Washington, a pro-government newspaper reported on Saturday.

Quoting Venezuela's naval intelligence director, Salbarore Cammarata, the newspaper Vea said four Russian boats would visit Venezuelan waters from November 10 to 14.

Plans for the naval operations come at a time of heightened diplomatic tension and Cold War-style rhetoric between Moscow and the United States over the recent war in Georgia and plans for a U.S. missile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland.

Cammarata said it would be the first time Russia's navy carried out such exercises in Latin America. He said the Venezuelan air force would also take part.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an outspoken critic of Washington, has said in recent weeks that Russian ships and planes are welcome to visit the South American country.

"If the Russian long-distance planes that fly around the world need to land at some Venezuelan landing strip, they are welcome, we have no problems," he said on his weekly television show last week.

Chavez, who buys billions of dollars of weapons from Russia, has criticized this year's reactivation of the U.S. Navy's Fourth Fleet, which will patrol Latin America for the first time in over 50 years.

The socialist Chavez says he fears the United States will invade oil-rich Venezuela and he supports Russia's growing geopolitical presence as a counterbalance to U.S. power.

Chavez has bought fighter jets and submarines from Russia to retool Venezuela's aging weapons and says he is also interested in a missile defense system.

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0633952420080907

[Armanen]

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

Here is another good analysis that you (Armenian) may wish to incorporate into your projection of the current geopolitical situation in the Caucasus.




As it seems, azerbaijan aims to become more catholic than the Pope is

On the whole Turkey is not interested in the way the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be solved. It only aims to achieve the status of a regional power-holder and is ready to turn every stone on her way.
In connection with Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Yerevan Azerbaijan seems to be willing to become more catholic than the Pope is. In no other way it is possible to interpret the panic that has spread in the Mass Media of our neighbouring country, which accuses Turkey of “treachery”. And though official Baku is silent it offers everyone an opportunity to express themselves on the subject.


/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It is a fact that statements of various politicians and public figures in Azerbaijan are made on the approval of the authorities, since absolutely everything in Azerbaijan is controlled by the Aliyev clan. Thereupon the silence of Araz Azimov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan and Chief Ideologist to Ilham Aliyev, is rather surprising…

Instead, “Azerbaijani famous political scientists” and Rasim Agayev in particular issue various declarations. “The «football diplomacy» of Abdullah Gul showed that Turkey carries out a policy of one-sided concessions. For instance Armenia rejected Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's suggestion on forming an Armenian-Turkish group that would carry out an investigation in the archive documents with the aim to find a concrete answer to the natorious issue of the «Armenian Genocide». Turkey is encouraged to “chum up” with Armenia. The Government of Erdogan longs for more sympathies from the West, which would consolidate its position inside the country,” Agayev believes.

However, it was probably Sardar Jalaloglu, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, that made the most absurd statement. “Turkey has always pursued its own objectives,” Jalaloglu said. But is there any country in the world that is governed by other principles? Interesting logic – Ankara has to sacrifice its interests for the sake of Azerbaijan which, for some reason, took to heart the words of Presidents Elchibey and Heydar Aliyev, who called for “one nation, two countries”. Let’s leave aside the idle talk of the Azerbaijani «analysts», who keep discussing the punishment that the «sovereign and independent» Azerbaijan can impose on Turkey. Some of them speak about banning the import of Turkish goods and prohibiting the broadcast of Turkish programs. By the way it is worth mentioning that when Baku condemned the activity of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) it hardly acted for the welfare of Turkey. But did Baku really believe that Turkey would be the guarantor of Azerbaijan at least in the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Such naivety can move one: on the whole Turkey is not interested in the way the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be solved. It only aims to achieve the status of a regional power-holder and is ready to turn every stone on her way. Even if it is necessary to visit the Genocide Memorial, Anakara is ready to try it too. And in case it is required Turkey will vote against Azerbaijan’s integration into NATO in theoretical future.

However, Baku has other fears too. It is not a secret that without the Turkish Diaspora in the U.S.A. the Azerbaijani Diaspora could have achieved absolutely nothing. Russia is the only country where Azerbaijani Diaspora exists, and it is engaged exclusively in business there; politics interests them least of all. As for the World Azerbaijanis Congress it is merely engaged in distribution of state grants. Thus, the fear of Baku is fully grounded. Moreover, it is not inclined to realize that the importance of Azerbaijan in the region is exclusively conditioned by hydrocarbon and nothing else. And though the USA cherishes some hope that one day Baku will turn away from Russia, it is really a dream.

In its turn the Federation of Turkish-Azeri Associations (FTAA) issued a statement on President Andullah Gul’s visit to Yerevan due on September 6 with the aim to watch the football match between Armenia and Turkey. “The FTAA is not against the Armenia-Turkey football match due in Yerevan. However, we consider that no idea can be beyond be integrity of Turkey and Gul’s visit to Yerevan contradicts the top interests of Turkey”, the statement said.

http://www.panarmenian.net/details/eng/?nid=924

[meline]

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

Here is another good analysis that you (Armenian) may wish to incorporate into your projection of the current geopolitical situation in the Caucasus.




As it seems, azerbaijan aims to become more catholic than the Pope is



In its turn the Federation of Turkish-Azeri Associations (FTAA) issued a statement on President Andullah Gul’s visit to Yerevan due on September 6 with the aim to watch the football match between Armenia and Turkey. “The FTAA is not against the Armenia-Turkey football match due in Yerevan. However, we consider that no idea can be beyond be integrity of Turkey and Gul’s visit to Yerevan contradicts the top interests of Turkey”, the statement said.


http://www.panarmenian.net/details/eng/?nid=924

The integrity of Turkey or that of pan-turkism?! Azeris still claim that they are "two countries, but one nation and one soul" with the turks. During Suleyman Demirel's visit some years ago the speaker of the azeri parliament expressed the wish "to sit together in one and the same Parliament soon".
Anyways, they are nervous and that shows nothing but vulnerability.

[Azad]

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

Turkey Plays to Russia in Caucasus

The alliance will strengthen the Caucasus standing of Moscow and Ankara and weaken the position of Washington there.

I am not buying it. 3 countries out of 4 are NATO puppets.
Sounds like Washington is trying a new approach to secure its oil routes.
I don't like this deal at all. If turkey was such an honest broker they should join the CSTO before forming a dummy "corporation".

[Armanen]

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

I am not buying it. 3 countries out of 4 are NATO puppets.
Sounds like Washington is trying a new approach to secure its oil routes.
I don't like this deal at all. If turkey was such an honest broker they should join the CSTO before forming a dummy "corporation".

If turkey were in the csto, then what good is it for Armenia to be in it? That would be really bad for Armenia. And I suspect that not much will come of this new turkish idea.