The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

[Federate]

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

The price is still much cheaper than what the rest of the world pays. But the price Armenia is paying for Russian natural gas will gradually rise to meet global standards. Also, "vacations," as you called it, don't help nations come to terms with economic and political realities. Armenia has been living on handouts from Russia and elsewhere for along time. We are becoming a welfare state. Armenia needs to live in the real world. Moscow cant justify charging the world one price and Armenia another. Moscow also realizes that Armenia now has Iran as an alternative source for natural gas. That is why Gazprom officials waited this long to rise their prices.

I know it's cheaper but it's not going to be cheap for long as the article says. Welfare state considering we have no natural gas of our own and have to import at a 100% level? Who cares! As long as we don't pay a lot for gas, we should take it!

[ZORAVAR]

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

I just stumbled on this article. It is a couple of weeks old, nevertheless, I found it interesting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

George Bush isn't in charge, says Vladimir Putin

From Times OnlineSeptember 11, 2008
Richard Beeston, Sochi

In a thinly veiled dig at George Bush, Vladimir Putin today suggested that the US President was not in charge of American affairs, saying that it was “the court that makes the king”.

Amid heightened tensions with the US in the wake of the war in Georgia, the Russian Prime Minister insisted that the US leader was a man of honour and integrity, but blamed members of the administration for the sharp deterioration of relations with Russia.

”I still hope we will maintain good relations, but it is the court that makes the king,” he told a group of foreign journalists in an interview at his residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

He nonetheless spoke fondly of his relationship with Mr Bush, saying, only half-jokingly: ”I treat President Bush better than some Americans would”.

At times Mr Putin displayed genuine anger, particularly when discussing the deployment of US navy warships just off the Russian Black Sea coast. Much of his criticism was aimed directly at the Bush administration which he accused of training and army the Georgian military and encouraging its leadership to launch last month’s assault on the breakaway province of South Ossetia.

"Should we have wiped the bloody snot off our face and bowed our head? Should we have waved our penknives?” he said in response to the mobilisation of Georgian tanks and troops.

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle4734894.ece

[Armenian]

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

The symbolism...

***************************

Russia’s Hero is Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky

Saint Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky is yet the main hero of Russia’s history, Interfax announced when reporting results of the Name of Russia Rating Voting. Poet Alexander Pushkin is ranked the second and writer Fyodr Dostoevsky is the third. The list of 12 leaders of the Name of Russia Rating Voting spells out the following heroes:

1. Alexander Nevsky (2,011,766 votes)
2. Alexander Pushkin (1,781,863)
3. Fyodr Dostoevsky (1,678,083)
4. Peter the Great (1,511,367)
5. Vladimir Lenin (1,356,281)
6. Alexander Suvorov (1,271,345)
7. Catherine the Great (1,265,784)
8. Ivan the Terrible (1,216,812)
9. Peter Stolypin (1,165,377)
10. Alexander II (1,066,896)
11. Dmitry Mendeleev (1,044,897)
12. Josef Stalin (1,039,488)

Of interest is that Soviet dictator Josef Stalin had led until the meter was set to zero in mid-August. But the arrangers of the Name of Russia concluded that leadership had been secured by false voting and set to collecting the votes anew. Nicolas II, who had led for a while, didn’t gather enough number of votes to be finally added to the upper portion of the list.

Source: http://www.kommersant.com/p-13283/Nevsky_rating/

[Angessa]

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

This article scares me and seems far worst than there fox News. This is really scary what this author preaches and believes. He really wants a full action from United states agianst Russia. I never heard of CBS, are they worst than fox news?

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/24/politics/uwire/main4473364.shtml

Why Being Passive With Russia Just Won't Cut It

Do you feel that chill in the air? Theres a cold breeze swirling, and its not a sign of the coming winter. Its the frigid relations between Russia and the United States. Some people are calling it the beginning of a new Cold War. Whether or not this is true, there is certainly much to be worried about.

Bolstered by skyrocketing energy prices, Russia, under new president Dmitry Medvedev (a puppet for former president and current prime minister Vladimir Putin), is becoming more adventurous about throwing its weight around in Asia and Europe. And this newfound bravado has been to the detriment of the United States and its ideals.

First, the facts. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Russia is in a position of unprecedented energy wealth. Among the rest of the world, Russia is No. 1 in natural gas reserves, No. 2 in coal reserves and No. 8 in largest oil reserves. In Aug. 2007, Russia resumed Cold War-era strategic bomber flights. This September, Russia and Venezuela agreed to conduct joint military exercises. Russia has plans to move at least four naval ships into Venezuelan ports. And after both the Czech Republic and Poland agreed to house important aspects of a U.S.-developed missile shield designed to protect Europe from ballistic missiles, the Russian Foreign Ministry responded by saying a military response would follow.

So how are we to tackle this growing anti-American influence spreading throughout Eastern Europe and perhaps the world? One thing is certain: Diplomacy alone isnt the answer.

Diplomacy from a position of weakness doesnt work and wont work to reign in what is increasingly becoming a rogue Russian regime. Look at the North Korean approach. For years, the Bush administration backed tough sanctions against North Korea, refusing to give the oppressive regime of Kim Jong Il the legitimacy of face-to-face talks. Finally, the Bush administration gave in to the sentiments of the State Department and many liberal commentators and negotiated a six-nation effort to end the countrys nuclear program. The result: A little over a year after the agreement was signed, North Korea decided to restart its program last week.

Considering its current weak position, the United States must tackle this problem head on, develop a position of strength and not be ashamed to proclaim its motivations. Missile defense installations must be installed in the Czech Republic and Poland, despite Russias threats. These installations will undoubtedly make Europe safer (from yet another perturbing threat: Iran) and will help the United States stay safer at home as missile defense technology is put into action and we learn more about how to perfect the process.

The United States must also commit itself to defend its allies that so proudly hold up the democratic ideals that we share. Its understandable that the United States European NATO allies arent quick to criticize Russia given that a majority of their energy supplies, including natural gas, are imported from Russia. The rest of Europe doesnt want to experience the cold winter that Ukraine did two years ago, when Russia shut off its natural gas for the better part of a week during intense negotiations.

Russia is in such a strong strategic position that it would be tough now to undo the influence and power it has in contemporary Europe. But make no mistake: The price of failing to stop this new Russian aggression will be steep. According to Freedom House, in 1972 there were only 42 democratic nations in the world. Today, there are 123. A domino effect of countries wilting under Russian pressure, especially in the former Soviet Bloc, could reverse this significant progress. And Russia already began its brazen power play with its recent invasion of Georgia.

In a cowardly act, the United States promised aid to Georgia, not military assistance, while the democratic former Soviet Republic was steamrolled by a merciless invading force from Russia. As Russian troops marched toward his capital, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said it best: What's at stake here is America's ideals. If freedom collapses in Georgia, it will collapse in other places as well.

His fears are well-founded. Ask the Ukrainians left in the cold by Russia just two years ago. Ask the thousands of refugees from Russians recent invasion. Hopefully these fears will be addressed by a new U.S. president in January who is seriously committed to maintaining peace through strength.

[Armenian]

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

Russia to modernize Nicaraguan military's arsenal

Russian warships head across Atlantic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jSjTtq18M8

Russia's ambassador to Managua said Wednesday that his country will replace the Nicaraguan army's aging weaponry. Ambassador Igor S. Kondrashev said there are no plans, however, to expand the Central American country's military arsenal. Nicaragua acquired most of its arms and military equipment from the former Soviet Union in the 1980s, when the leftist Sandinista government was fighting U.S.-backed rebels. The army has insisted it needs new helicopters and Navy ships to patrol Caribbean waters, where there is a boundary dispute with Colombia. Kondrashev made the comments in an interview with Canal 8 TV station, but he did not say if Russia would ask for financial compensation or would simply replace the equipment as a gift to Nicaragua — which was one of the first nations to support Russia in its war against Georgia. Kondrashev applauded President Daniel Ortega's government for formally recognizing the independence of the Russian-backed breakaway Georgian republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on Sept. 5. Kondrashev also did not say the plans included replacement of Nicaragua's shoulder-fired SAM-7 missiles. The United States has been trying to negotiate destruction of those weapons to keep them from landing in terrorists' hands. Last year, Ortega promised to destroy more than 650 of Nicaragua's remaining 1,051 Soviet-made missiles in exchange for hospital equipment and medicine from the United States. Russia also has been building military ties with Ortega's ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Kondrashev said a group of Russian experts would visit Nicaragua next month to identify other potential joint projects, including petroleum exploration in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean and the construction of roads and bridges.

Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j...pzW_AD93DATH80

Nicaragua stirs Cold War ghosts

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega has revived Cold War ghosts by recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia, supporting Russia's stance on the breakaway Georgian regions. Ortega, a former Marxist guerilla leader who had close ties to the ex-Soviet Union, went further than other leftist Latin American countries in his defiance of Washington over the Georgia conflict by recognizing the independence of the rebel regions. In a speech to celebrate 29 years of Nicaragua's army - which he founded during the 1979-90 Sandinista revolution - Ortega also accused NATO of "building a military fence against Russia." Nicaragua "recognizes the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia" decreed by their respective parliaments in August, Ortega said Tuesday evening. Nicaragua also completely supports "the Russian government's position," added Ortega, who returned to power in January 2007 having led Nicaragua through revolution and a civil war. Russia sent tanks and troops into Georgia on August 8, a day after Tbilisi launched an offensive to regain control of breakaway South Ossetia.

Moscow halted its offensive after five days but refused to withdraw all its troops, saying they are on a peacekeeping mission. Georgia has labeled them an occupation force. Ortega took a more strident stance on the conflict than Venezuela and Cuba, which have both nonetheless sided with Russia. Venezuela accused the United States of "planning, preparing and ordering" the conflict in Georgia. "We support Russia, we're with Russia and with the worthy action of Russia," Chavez said on August 29. Cuba, which received economic oxygen for 30 years from Moscow, also closed ranks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and accused Georgia of complicity with the United States, in a declaration on August 11 signed by President Raul Castro. Former Cuban president and revolutionary leader Fidel Castro warned Washington it was playing a threat of "nuclear war" and trying to reward Georgia for serving as "canon fodder" for Moscow.

Meanwhile, the president of Cuba's parliament, Ricardo Alarcon, said Thursday he respected Nicaragua's decision. "Nicaragua is a sovereign and independent country and can take the decisions it wants to. I respect Nicaragua and Daniel Ortega a lot," Alarcon said. Many observers said Ortega had made a dangerous gamble. Ortega's statement puts "Nicaragua's foreign policy in a position of great controversy from the point of view of the international community and the United Nations," Luis Guillermo Solis, a Costa Rican political analyst, told AFP. Solis said he was unaware if Ortega's decision was a deliberate provocation or not, but predicted that it would have a significant impact internationally, and would "complicate things, not facilitate them." It was an "unwise" decision, Emilio Alvarez, former Nicaraguan foreign minister, told AFP, saying it evoked the "nostalgic attitudes of Mr Ortega."

Alvarez said that Ortega's decision could have consequences for Nicaragua in its negotiations for an Association Agreement with the European Union, which, along with the United States, leads the rejection of the independence of the two separatist republics. However, Carlos Tunermann, former Nicaraguan ambassador at the Organization of American States, branded Ortega's comments a "rhetorical declaration" that "does not have great significance for the conflict." He said Ortega's comments were "possibly" inspired by political reasons "to express the rejection of the attitude of the United States in that region." Since his return to power, Ortega has cultivated links with Iran and Libya as well as Venezuela and Cuba, defying Washington despite more than 500 million dollars of U.S. contributions to Nicaragua in bilateral cooperation. Nicaragua's exports to the United States, meanwhile, grew by 60.2 percent in the first semester of 2008 compared with the same period the previous year.

Source: http://www.canada.com/topics/news/wo...f-a6b8abd0d84f

[Federate]

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

Putin and Chavez in nuclear talks

Vladimir Putin, Russia's prime minister, has said he wants to look at nuclear co-operation with Caracas, after meeting Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's president, at his residence on the outskirts of Moscow.

Putin said: "We are all ready to look at the possibility of operating in the sphere of peaceful atomic energy."

Earlier on Thursday, Moscow had announced a $1bn loan to Venezuela to buy arms.

Following the talks with Putin, Chavez will travel to the city of Orenburg, near Kazakhstan, to meet Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's president, on Friday.

The Venezuelan president's trip, which is expected to focus on military co-operation and trade, is his third visit to Russia since June 2007.

It comes just three days after Russia sent a massive naval fleet to the Caribbean for joint exercises with Venezuela.

Moscow has been stepping up its relations with Venezuela in a pointed response to Washington's support for Georgia and other aspects of what the Kremlin sees as United States encroachment near its borders.

According to Russian media reports, Venezuela has been asking for an arms loan from Moscow for months.

Chavez's latest world tour is taking him to several countries whose governments are eager to limit the influence of the US.

His trip to Russia followed talks in China, with Hu Jintao, the country's president.

Growing alliance

Russia's Kommersant daily newspaper reported on Thursday that the visit was part of the run-up to local elections in Venezuela and that Chavez would use the trip to stress his alliance with Russia against the US.

Chavez and Medvedev are expected to observe Russian army exercises taking place in Orenburg, Kommersant reported, an event that would emphasise the growing military ties and arms sales between the two countries.

Earlier this month, in deployments not seen since the Cold War, Russia sent two long-range bombers to Venezuela for exercises and has dispatched a flotilla of warships from the Arctic base of Severomorsk to Venezuela near US waters.

Venezuela has bought Russian fighter jets, tanks and assault rifles and is planning to purchase anti-aircraft systems, armoured personnel carriers and more combat aircraft, Kommersant reported earlier, quoting Russian officials.

During his visit to Russia, Chavez is also expected to make a statement supporting Russian military action against Georgia last month.

US-Russia relations are at one of their lowest points since the end of the Cold War because of tensions over Russia's conflict with Georgia and US plans to site missile defence facilities near Russia's borders.

Venezuela, which is to hold local elections in November, expelled the US ambassador to Caracas earlier this month in what Chavez said was an act of solidarity with Bolivia which also expelled its US envoy.

After his visit to Russia, Chavez is due to visit France and Portugal as part of an international tour that has already taken him to China and Cuba.

Neave Barker, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Moscow, said: "The relationship between Venezuela and Russia has been good now for a number of years.

"But the [arms deal] does appear to time specifically to the wake of that war between Russia and Georgia. A pointed attempt perhaps ... to send a clear signal to the United States against their support for Georgia."

Modernisation plans

Meanwhile, Medvedev said on Thursday that Russia's plans to modernise its armed forces will not be affected by the global financial crisis.

"Regardless of any crisis we should build new submarines, should simply deal with the modernisation of the armed forces," Medvedev told the crew of St George the Victor nuclear submarine during a visit to its Pacific home base at Kamchatka Peninsula.

"Our country has means and resources for that," he said in comments showed on national television.

Putin made the revival of the armed forces, neglected in the first post-Soviet decade, a symbol of Russia's resurgence and an additional argument in Moscow's foreign policy.

Medvedev has said the recent war in Georgia showed Russia needed to equip its army with more advanced weaponry and Putin has said the military budget will grow by 28 per cent next year.

From http://english.aljazeera.net/news/eu...282265489.html

[ZORAVAR]

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

Russian War Games

Large scale military exercises are taking place with very modern weapons. Here are a few video clips.

TSENTER-2008 exercises in the Orenburg region: Note the massive formation attack by T-90 tanks.

http://www.zvezdanews.ru/video/day_events/0021812/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyow0fxB1BM

STABILNOST-2008 exercises in Niezhegordsk region: Note the small UAV towards the end.

http://www.zvezdanews.ru/video/day_events/0021804/

[Armenian]

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

Large scale military exercises are taking place with very modern weapons. Here are a few video clips.

Those images and sounds sent a deep chill through me. Truly signs of the times.

[Anoush]

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

It's too bad I don't understand Russian to know what in the world they're talking about. All the military exercises displayed on the three youtubes above reminds me the 4th of July fireworks that we see it on the sky with awe; but this time it's nothing to be viewed anything like that.... it's the scary times that we're living in today. I hope people would wisen up and start to talk out their differences rather than killing each other.

[crusader1492]

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

Wow, I've seen tanks ford water, but I've never seen them totally submerged!

Btw, Zoravar, do you understand Russian?