The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

[KarotheGreat]

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

Caucasus update III

As we Armenians watched the president of the Russian Federation visit the memorial to our 1.5 million martyrs we should have asked ourselves the following: Why is Moscow going out of its way with this display of solidarity with Armenians despite their growing relationships with Turkey and Azerbaijan? Would anything have changed in Russian-Armenian relations had Medvedev 'not' visited the genocide memorial? And why isn't Ankara or Baku speaking up against Moscow because of it?

For the past several years Moscow has been trying very hard to entice Turkey and encourage Ankara to move away from their transatlantic alliance. Moscow considers Turkey an important regional power it wants to have good relations with. Turkey controls one of Russia's most vital trade routes, the Dardanelles. Turkey is one of Russia's top trading partners. Hundreds of thousands of Russians tan themselves on Turkish beaches all along the Mediterranean. As we have seen, Moscow has just as many interests in Turkey, if not more, than the West. So, why isn't Moscow pathetically kissing Turkish behinds like Washington does by not recognizing the Armenian genocide?

Political sense would suggest that Moscow has every reason in the "political interests book" to ignore and/or to undermine the Armenian Genocide much like how Washington and Tel Aviv have been doing for many years. Since Russia has significant interests in Turkey, why is Moscow continuing to recognize the Armenian Genocide, and in such public manner? Why is it that Russia's official press continues to treat the Armenian Genocide as a historical fact, while the Western press places the term in quotation marks? Why is it that Medvedev, Putin, Lavrov, Ivanov and the Russian Patriarch have paid official visits the Armenian Genocide memorial every time they have been in Armenia, and we yet have to see a single Western official do the same?

[Does anyone remember how the president of our "best" neighbor, Iran, literally ran away from Yerevan the night before he was scheduled to visit the genocide memorial? How about Hillary Clinton's recent "personal" visit to the memorial complex where she insisted that no Armenian official accompany her? And where is France's Sarkozy? Why hasn't he paid Armenia and the genocide memorial an official visit? After all, hasn't France been entrusted with being Armenia's Western bait?]

The reality of the matter is that Russians do not have to do us Armenians any extracurricular favors simply because, as I have explained numerous times before, Armenia exists today as a result of Russian presence in the Caucasus. Moreover, by not doing us Armenians any favors like solemnly showing up in Tsitsernakaberd with flowers, Moscow can actually have a freer hand in its dealing with regional Turks (which would make perfect political sense for Moscow); and Armenia would still not have the option of breaking away from its total dependency on Moscow.

So, taking all the aforementioned political nuances into account, why does Moscow continue towing the Armenian line when it comes to a topic that has no political value for it? Besides, according to our Russophobes, wasn't Russia supporting Armenia for its selfish interests and nothing more? Moscow's selfish interests would naturally compel it to think: we already do enough for that barren tiny little speck on the map called Armenia, let's not totally ruin our relationship with the region's numerous Turks and Muslims over that genocide nonsense...

This may come as a shock to some but could it be that the Russian Federation in fact sees Armenia as a true partner, a natural ally that it truly wants to sustain and protect - unlike the West that sees everything as dollar signs and oil lines? I think our Russophobic "nationalists" seriously need to think about this one. I'd love to see/hear their lame explanations regarding why Moscow tows the Armenian line despite Yerevan's total dependence on it and its close relationship with Turks. After all, isn't that the excuse we constantly hear from Washington?

Nevertheless, Medvedev's visit to our genocide memorial complex at Tsitsernakaberd is a clear message to Turks and Armenians alike. Medvedev's visit to the "Hill of Honors" war memorial complex in Gyumri (see article at the bottom of this page) is also a strong message to Turks and Armenians, perhaps even more of a poignant message. The war memorial in question is a tribute to Russian officers killed fighting Ottoman Turks in historic Armenia. Does anyone else besides me see the symbolic significance of this newly built memorial complex and the Russian president's visit to it at such a volatile time in the region? The symbolism at hand is unmistakably Tsarist and anti-Turkish in nature.

But why isn't Ankara throwing a temper-tantrum as they always do in such circumstances? Well, needless to say, everyone in the region, including Turkey which is sorely dependent on Russian trade and energy, is terrified of Russia these days (especially after what happened to Georgia in 2008). And that is precisely the reason why Russian officials today can freely pay Armenia an official state visit and publicly announce that it is bolstering Armenia's national defenses against Turks. That is why Russian officials today can freely lay flowers at the genocide memorial and honor Russian officers that died fighting Turks in Armenia - without Turks threatening, boycotting or complaining about anything. Yet, despite all this and much-much more, we still have Armenians today that complain about our relationship with Moscow. Go figure...

Thanks to Tsarist intervention in the Caucasus starting in the late 18th century, the Russian Empire created a geopolitical climate that eventually allowed an Armenian state to come into existence. Tsarist Russia defeated Turks in every one of the some two dozen major battles they fought against the Ottomans (the last one being at the battle of Sarikamish in 1915). Russians and Turks are natural competitors/enemies in Eurasia; they are destined to clash despite their economic dealings with each other; and any future clash between Russia and Turkey will undoubtedly create new geopolitical realities on the ground in Asia Minor, realities that will most definitely favor the Russian side. Today, with an Armenian state already in existence and with a reborn Russia clearly drawing inspiration from its Orthodox and Tsarist heritage, the Caucasus is once again becoming a fertile platform for active Russian-Armenian cooperation, one that can potentially create a geopolitical renaissance in the region. While some of our peasantry see grave risks here - I see great opportunity. When Russians and Armenians have cooperated, Turks have gone into decline. Yet, instead of us rushing forward to exploit and/or manipulate this unique situation developing before us, I see a significant portion of the Armenian nation today engaging in counterproductive rhetoric and Russophobic fear mongering. Hence, the term that I apply to these pathetic people - self-destructive peasantry.

For centuries the Russian empire, a Eurasian power virtually stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, fought Ottomans, Tatars, Mongols and Westerners alike. For centuries various world powers have coveted Russian territory. For centuries various world powers have taken their turn in attempting to break-up Russia; none successfully of course. Geopolitically, not much has changed today. Russia is still targeted by pan-Turkism, the West and Islam; and more importantly for us Armenians, this realization drives Kremlin policy makers today. This is where our unique capabilities as a people can come into play. Armenians are well placed in all levels of Russian society (they are by-far the most successful diasporan group we have); with some foresight and a pan-national effort we can be in Russia what xxxs are in America. Our cooperation with the Bear can prepare the platform, the geopolitical climate, from which we can eventually move westward. Don't fool yourselves into thinking that international law or old pieces of documents mean anything to anyone (international law is written by the rich and powerful to protect their wealth and power), the only plausible scenario under which Western Armenia can be liberated is one that envisions Russian and Armenian troops side-by-side marching into Western Armenia. This is not wishful thinking, under right geopolitical circumstances and a genuine Russian-Armenian alliance, it can happen.

Despite what our agent provocateurs want us to believe, as long as Armenia stays firmly in the Russian camp, Russia will not be a liability for Armenia but a blessing; Russia is not going to annex Armenia; Russia is not going to sell Armenia to Turks; Russia is not going to force Artsakh under Azeri rule; nor are Russians going to convert to Bolshevism again... Our Russophobes are fast running out of excuses as well as credibility these days. Armenia will remain a sovereign state firmly within Russian orbit. What Moscow wants from us Armenians is a tight alliance with Yerevan, an alliance that it can genuinely trust going forward. If we manage to give them this partnership I am confident that significant opportunities will eventually develop for our embattled republic as a result. As the West sinks deeper and deeper into decline, the East continues its gradual rise. Political and economic observers are now unanimous in their forecasts that the twenty-first century will belong to the East. As one of the three major driving forces of the East, Russia, due to its vastness, potent military, geographic location and virtually limitless natural wealth, will by-far have the greatest advantages in the twenty-first century. If it continues on its current progression, Russia will be in the driver seat in the near future; at the very least, I would like to see Armenia in its passenger seat.

Arevagal

[KarotheGreat]

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

Russia Signs Base Lease Extension with Armenia


Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R, front) and his Armenia's counterpart Serzh Sarksyan (L, front) smile during their meeting at an airport in Yerevan on August 20, 2010. Medvedev is visiting Armenia, where he is expected to sign a deal extending the deployment of Russian forces in the former Soviet republic.

Despite the efforts of our agent provocateurs and the self-destructive peasantry in the opposition, the people on the street understand (perhaps instinctually and not intellectually) the significance of Russian-Armenian alliance (Radio Liberty video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hBa8kBeEQ

Dmitry Medvedev's Visit to Armenia (raw video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu6zm...feature=search

Amid a grand display of Russian flags in Yerevan, Russian and Armenian leaders on August 20 signed an agreement that extends Moscow’s lease on its Gyumri military base near Turkey to 2044. Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan framed the deal as a way to guarantee peace in the South Caucasus, but critics contend that the pact is not a partnership between equals.


The original base deal, signed in 1995, was due to expire in 2020. Using language often heard in reference to Russia’s 2008 war with Georgia and in support of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Medvedev cited regional peace-building as the reason for Moscow’s interest in the extending the lease on Gyumri. “We will make joint efforts to maintain peace and security,” declared Medvedev at a joint press conference. “We will use the potential to preserve peace in the Caucasus. We all need it. Armenia needs it, other countries need it, and Russia needs it. We will together tackle the dangers we still face, and we will help each other.”


Similarly, Sargsyan stressed that “[t]he strategic partnership with the Russian Federation proceeds from our people’s interests, and we’ll do our best to develop these relations.” Sargsyan, who formerly served as Armenia’s defense minister, added that the agreement will expand Russia’s “scope of geographic and strategic responsibility.” Under the terms of the new agreement, the base in Gyumri, along with the Armenian armed forces, will provide for Armenia’s security, as well as defend Russia’s own interests.


With an apparent ear to regional and domestic sensitivities, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on August 18 denied that the agreement will change the base’s role, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. Speaking on Armenian television, Lavrov also attempted to deflect concerns about Moscow’s alleged sale of an S-300 air defense system to Azerbaijan, saying that Russian leaders would “never supply arms to regions where such supplies may destabilize the situation.” S-300 anti-missile systems are already present at Gyumri. [For background see EurasiaNet’s archive [1]].


Such statements and reassurances, however, have done little to assuage the concerns of opposition politicians and some political analysts who see the base deal as an attempt by Russia to use Armenia to gain a tighter strategic hold on the South Caucasus. In this campaign, they worry, Armenia’s own national interests will be left by the wayside. “Apart from [national] dignity, this challenges Armenia’s sovereignty, the independence of its foreign policy and vital national interests,” declared Heritage Party leader Raffi Hovhannisian.


Political scientist Sergei Minasian, deputy director of Yerevan’s Caucasus Institute, noted that nobody can predict what will happen in the next several years, and how the current situation in Armenia, which, he says, now favors Russia, might change. “Russia is just trying to derive benefits from this situation and have as many guarantees for its military and political presence in the South Caucasus as possible,” said Minasian. “Similarly, availing itself of the moment, Russia extended the term for [its] Sevastopol naval base in Ukraine.” In April, Ukraine, under newly elected, Kremlin-friendly President Viktor Yanukovich, ratified an agreement that extended Moscow’s lease on the Crimean naval base by 25 years.


Representatives of the governing Republican Party of Armenia maintain that the lease extension is in keeping with Armenia’s national security interests. “When the Russian military base changes its functions and defends not only Armenia’s frontiers, but Armenia’s security as well, I’ll virtually exclude a military resolution of the Karabakh issue [with Azerbaijan] or hostilities in this region,” commented Republican Party spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov.


Hovering in the background during Medvedev’s visit was one political leader who illustrates Minasian’s point about the changing backdrops for strategic alliances. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, an ally-turned-antagonist for the Kremlin, arrived in Yerevan on August 18 for a “private visit” -- a visit seen by many local observers as an attempt to meet with Medvedev. Lukashenko has recently become the target of a sustained smear campaign by Moscow after Belarus balked at recognizing the independence of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.


Russian media reported that Medvedev, who will stay in Yerevan until August 22 to take part in an unofficial summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), had no intention to meet with Lukashenko; whether Lukashenko would attend the CSTO summit was not immediately clear. On August 20, Lukashenko instead met with former Armenian President Robert Kocharian, who enjoys warm ties with Moscow. A Kocharian spokesperson confirmed to EurasiaNet.org that the meeting occurred, but declined to comment further.


Source: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/61780

[KarotheGreat]

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

‘Russia Treats Its Commitments as An Ally Very Seriously,” Says Medvedev


Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) and his Armenia's counterpart Serzh Sarksyan (L) smile during their meeting at an airport in Yerevan on August 20, 2010. Medvedev is visiting Armenia, where he is expected to sign a deal extending the deployment of Russian forces in the former Soviet republic.

After signing an agreement, which would increase Russia’s military presence in Armenia until 2044, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is on an official visit to Armenia, said that “Russia treats its commitments as an ally very seriously.” The comment came in response to an inquiry at a press conference about Russia’s reaction to a possible events that would threaten the security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh given Azerbaijan’s continued threats of military action. “The task of the Russian Federation as a major state situated in the region, the most powerful state economically and militarily, is to maintain peace and order. But we also have our allied commitments that we have with members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Republic of Armenia is a member of this organization… Russia treats its commitments as an ally very seriously,” said Medvedev.


The military cooperation agreement was part of a slew of agreements signed between Russia and Armenia after meetings between Medvedev and President Serzh Sarkisian on Firday. The military deal, which upgrades a 1995 treaty allowing Russian forces to be stationed in Gyumri, extends the Russian military presence from the initial 25 years to 49 years, ending in 2044. The protocol was signed by Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian and his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov, with Medvedev and Sarkisian serving as witnesses. It also expands the Russian mission from protecting only the interests of the Russian Federation, to also ensuring the security of the Republic of Armenia and commits Moscow to supplying Armenia with modern and compatible weaponry and special military hardware, reported RFE/RL.


Medvedev told reporters at a joint press conference that military base in Armenia would maintain “peace and security in the entire South Caucasus,” stressing that peace in the region was high priority for Russia. At the news conference Sarkisian praised the deal, which he said would expand the sphere of Russia’s “geographic and strategic” responsibilities, meaning that the base will not only be responsible for protecting the perimeter of the former Soviet Union border, i.e. with Iran and Turkey, but also beyond them, according to RFE/RL. “The Russian side has made a commitment to ensure the military security of the Republic of Armenia and to cooperate in equipping our armed forces with advanced weaponry,” Sarkisian told the news conference, while stressing Armenia’s continued commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict “without application of force or threat of force.”


Sarkisian also thanked Medvedev for his mediatory efforts as well as for “understanding the meaning of the balance of forces in the region as an important factor of not allowing provocations and preventing militaristic ambitions,” reported RFE/RL. Medvedev, for his part, said he was ready to continue his mediatory efforts and work with both Azerbaijan and Armenia to help find a political solution “based on mutually acceptable agreements both within the general work of the OSCE Minsk Group and in bilateral contacts with Armenia and Azerbaijan,” according to RFE/RL. The two leaders then went to Gyumri to inaugurate Hill of Honor, the resting place of Russian officers killed during Russia-Turkish wars of the 19th century. The Armenian and Russian leaders laid a wreath at the memorial, which is a sculpture of a soldier mourning for his killed comrades-in-arms and an eagle over the soldier’s head with the Turkish flag in its talons.


“We will use the potential of these structures to strengthen peace and stability across the entire territory of the Caucasus,” Medvedev said at the opening ceremony of the Hill of Honor memorial in Gyumri. “This is essential for all of the countries in the region. It is essential for Russia,” he added. Sarkisian said Yerevan views friendly ties between Russia and Armenia as a key component in maintaining stability in the Caucasus.


“This enables us to respond adequately to many of the complex challenges of the modern world. It is with this in mind that we signed a protocol on the extension of the Russian military base,” added Sarkisian. Medvedev accompanied by his wife, Svetlana Medvedeva, arrived in Yerevan on Thursday on the state visit and were greeted at Zvartnots airport by President Sarkisian and his wife, Rita. The first stop for Medvedev was Dzidzernagapert, where he laid a wreath at the monument to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. He also visited the adjacent Memory Part, where he watered a tree he planted during his 2008 visit. Medvedev was accompanied by Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian. Accompanying Medvedev to Armenia are Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov, Transport Minister Igor Levitin, Russia’s Ambassador to Armenia Vyacheslav Kovalenko and other officials.


President Sarkisian and the First Lady hosted a state dinner honoring Medvedev at the Presidential Palace on Thursday evening. Following the dinner, the presidents took a stroll at Republic Square, around the Singing Fountains which in honor of Medvedev’s visit were streaming Russian classical music. At Republic Square, the two Presidents were greeted by the public and later sat down at a local café.


Source: http://asbarez.com/84352/%E2%80%98ru...says-medvedev/



Armenian, Russian Presidents open Hill of Honor



Armenia's President Serzh Sarksyan (R) and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev (2nd R) take part in a ceremony to unveil the memorial complex Honour Hill for Russian servicemen who were killed during the Russian-Turkish wars in the 19th century, in Gyumri August 20, 2010. Russia extended its lease on Friday on a military base in the former Soviet republic of Armenia until 2044, strengthening its presence in the South Caucasus energy transit region.


After the Armenian and Russian national anthems were performed, the Presidents welcomed the guests and the Gyumri residents. The Presidents’ speeches were followed by a pray for the repose of the Russian servicemen’s souls. The Hill of Honor is a cemetery founded on the order of Commander of the Caucasus corps, General Nikolay Muravyev in 1856. An orthodox church was later built there. Consecrated in 1886, the church has been preserved. The Russian President and his wife arrived in Armenia on August 19. On arriving in Yerevan, the Russian leader headed for the Memorial to Armenian Genocide victims. He laid flowers at the monument. On August 20, Armenian-Russian negotiations were held. The CSTO’s informal summit has opened in Yerevan. An opening ceremony of the Hill of Honor was held in Gyumri. The memorial was opened on the burial place of 156 officers of the Russian army killed during the Russian-Turkish wars in the 19th century. Participating in the ceremony were the Armenian and Russian Presidents, Serzh Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev. The Armenian and Russian leaders laid a wreath at the memorial, a NEWS.am correspondent reported. It is a sculpture is a soldier mourning for his killed comrades-in-arms and an eagle over the soldier’s head with the Turkish flag in its talons.

Source: http://news.am/eng/news/28359.html

[Muhaha]

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

Not about anything that has to do with Armenia but it's still Russia.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/30/vladimir-putin-im-tired-o_n_699330.html

Putin To Protesters: You'll Be Beaten If You Continue To Rally



MOSCOW — Prime Minister Vladimir Putin disparaged Russian dissidents in crude street language in an interview Monday and said they would keep getting beaten if they continued to hold unauthorized rallies.

Putin has never shown much tolerance for dissent. After he became president a decade ago, Russia cracked down on opposition leaders and increased government control of the media. Now as prime minister, Putin still wields tremendous influence over policy, despite the presence of President Dmitry Medvedev. Putin has been coy over whether he will run in the 2012 presidential election.

Putin told journalists on Monday that it was "complete gibberish" that he continues to run the country.

"I'm tired of foreign policy," Putin told journalists traveling with him in Russia's Far East. He said Medvedev was handling it well and he saw no need to interfere.

In the interview published in the newspaper Kommersant, Putin defended his record and touched on a variety of topics, including foreign policy.

He said President Barack Obama seemed sincere in his desire to improve Moscow-Washington relations, despite U.S. policies that appeared more hostile. Putin pointed to continued U.S. military support for Georgia following its brief war with Russia in 2008 and U.S. plans to put a missile defense system in eastern Europe.

He also said imprisoned oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky deserved his punishment. Khodorkovsky, serving an eight-year sentence after being convicted of fraud and tax evasion, is now on trial on new charges that carry a sentence of up to 22 years.

Putin said in the Kommersant interview that he was surprised to learn of the second case against Khodorkovsky. That claim caused some wry amusement among Khodorkovsky's supporters, who say the legal assault against him was punishment for challenging Putin.

It was questions about the political opposition, though, that inspired the colorful language Putin seems to love.

"What's good about the contemporary world?" Putin was quoted as saying. "You can say something around the corner from a public toilet and the whole world will hear because all the television cameras will be there."

Russia's opposition leaders depend on international television exposure because they are blacklisted from Russian television and their protests are rarely aired.

Putin predicted that Russian police would keep breaking up opposition protests unless the dissidents obtain official permission to rally – permission they are routinely denied in central Moscow.

"You will be beaten upside the head with a truncheon. And that's it," Putin declared.

Opposition leader Boris Nemtsov said the interview showed Putin to be "dishonest, ignorant and evil."

"It's clear that the call to beat your own people, moreover those who are unarmed and not showing any resistance, is a crime," Nemtsov wrote in his blog.

Opposition groups plan to rally Tuesday evening and predict that police will now be emboldened to use greater force in detaining protesters.

The opposition holds protests on the last day of every month with 31 days to call attention to Article 31 of Russia's constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly. Nemtsov was among the dozens detained at last month's protest.

The rallies have been held on Triumph Square, but this month the Moscow city government fenced it off and announced plans to build an underground parking garage. Putin said he was unaware that the square had been closed. "I give you my honest word as a party member," he said, resurrecting an expression used by Communist Party members in Soviet times.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/30/vladimir-putin-im-tired-o_n_699330.html

[Federate]

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

Dashnaks Back New Russian-Armenian Pact

Armenia -- Armen Rustamian, a leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, at a news conference, 31Aug 2010.
31.08.2010
Ruzanna Stepanian

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) believes that Armenia had no choice but to extend and deepen its military ties with Russia through a new defense agreement, a leader of the influential opposition party said on Tuesday.

Armen Rustamian, the de facto head of Dashnaktsutyun’s organization in Armenia, also said that the collapse of the Turkish-Armenian normalization process was a major factor behind that agreement.

The deal, signed during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s recent visit to Yerevan, extended the presence of Russian troops in Armenia until 2044 and upgraded their role in ensuring the country’s security. It also committed Moscow to supplying the Armenian military with modern weaponry.

Presenting his party’s official position on the pact, Rustamian argued that no other foreign power is ready to give Armenia such security guarantees. “It is probably not a secret to anyone that 80 percent of our military security -- in fact, much more than that -- is today conditioned by our relations with Russia,” he told a news conference. “So in terms of military security, Armenia today has no viable alternative. This is a fact.”

“Therefore, any step aimed at enhancing that volume [of Russian-Armenian military cooperation] is by and large positive,” he added.

The Armenian National Congress (HAK), a more radical opposition force led by former President Levon Ter-Petrosian, has also reacted positively to the Russian-Armenian deal. Still, HAK representatives have said it would be offset by the possible sale of sophisticated Russian air-defense missiles to Azerbaijan.

The deal has been strongly criticized by another major opposition group, the Zharangutyun (Heritage) Party of Raffi Hovannisian. Zharangutyun leaders have questioned Armenian officials’ claims that the Russian troops would openly side with Armenia in the event of another war with Azerbaijan.

Rustamian, who also heads the Armenian parliament’s committee on foreign relations, said closer military ties with Russia are particularly vital for Armenia following the collapse its dramatic rapprochement with Turkey, which has been fiercely opposed by Dashnaktsutyun. He claimed that the process has only strengthened the Turkish-Armenian relationship and increased the likelihood of renewed war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“We have created a much more dangerous situation for ourselves,” said Rustamian. “To a certain extent, this step [the signing of the Russian-Armenian pact] was dictated by that.”

http://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/2144549.html

[Muhaha]

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

http://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/2138583.html

U.S. Sees No Fallout From Russian-Armenian Pact

United States-- US Department of State Acting Department Spokesman Mark C. Toner leads the Daily Press Briefing at the U.S. Department .
26.08.2010

The United States expects to maintain a “strong” relationship with Armenia even after the signing of a new and potentially far-reaching Russian-Armenian defense agreement, the U.S. State Department said late Wednesday.

“I think we'd view it as a bilateral issue between Russia and Armenia,” Mark Toner, a department spokesman, said, commenting on the deal that extended and upgraded Russian military presence in the South Caucasus state.

“Obviously, the United States enjoys a strong partnership with Armenia. We have every expectation that this will continue,” he told a daily press briefing in Washington.

Asked about Azerbaijan’s apparent unease over the Russian-Armenian pact, Toner lauded Moscow’s “constructive role” in the long-running international efforts to broker a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Russia co-chairs the OSCE’s so-called Minsk Group on Karabakh together with the United States and France.

Officials in Yerevan were quick to welcome the U.S. reaction to the strengthening of the Russian-Armenian military alliance. A spokesman for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, Eduard Sharmazanov, called it “positive and somewhat anticipated.”

“This means that the U.S. is positively reacting to President Serzh Sarkisian’s foreign policy course and underlining its readiness to ensure continuity in forging closer relations with Armenia,” Sharmazanov said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Sarkisian has repeatedly expressed his administration’s desire to strengthen U.S.-Armenian ties, most recently during U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s early-July visit to Yerevan. “We have agreed to seek a further strengthening and deepening of our friendly partnership,” Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said after Clinton’s talks with the Armenian leader.

Sharmazanov also stressed the importance of the State Department’s praise of Moscow’s role in the Karabakh peace process. He construed that as further proof that new peace proposals made by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts recently were drafted by all three Minsk Group co-chairs.

Yerevan describes those proposals “a new variant” of the mediators’ basic principles of a Karabakh settlement and says they are largely acceptable to the Armenian side.

The Azerbaijani government has rejected them, however. It insists that the Russian president drew up the plan single-handedly, without consulting with the two other mediating powers.

http://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/2138583.html

[ZORAVAR]

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

Politics and diplomacy are not my forte (although, I read a lot about them). What interests me more are the military aspects of geopolitics. As they say, the mightier your sword, the further your diplomacy can reach.

Being also a patriotic Armenian I look at military matters concerning our nation. A while ago, I started a thread about the “Military Balance in Nagorno-Karabagh” and I am glad that thread has already passed 180 pages and has a considerable number of devoted posters and readers.

But, as important as the military situation in our tiny republic is, we should not forget the bigger picture. I mean the larger military picture in the Caucasus as whole and the nations that surround it.

Since the brief August 2008 War between Russia and Georgia, there have been many developments in the military balance in the Caucasus. The most significant changes concern the Russians themselves. By putting together bits of pieces of everyday common military related news, I can describe what the Kremlin’s military has been up to for the last couple of years in the Caucasus region.

But let me begin with a bit of history:
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the armed forces of Russia had to live with massive cuts in the military budget. Throughout the nineties and the early years of the 21st century, the descendents of the mighty Red Army received little in new weapons while the existing ones were slowly being degraded or become obsolete. Priority was given to the Strategic Nuclear Forces, at the expense of the conventional Army, Navy and Air Force. Later on, and under the leadership of V.V. Putin, Russia and its economy began to rise…and so did the defense spending. Newer equipment began to slowly trickle in, but the units in the South-West (including the volatile Caucasus region) were at the bottom of the pecking order. Russia’s Black Sea fleet received no new ships for well over a decade.
The 58th Russian Army that defeated the Georgians did not field first class weapons and equipment. The combat aircraft that were bombing Georgian troops and airfield were the same ones that were used to bomb the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan in the eighties. The almost 40 year old destroyer Smetlyvy was one of the veteran warships covering the amphibious landings in Abkhazia…

After that brief war, change was expected….and , oh boy, things have changed. Now it seems that the once neglected South-West based units are at the top of priorities for the Kremlin planners, both civilian and military. Almost every new type of weaponry is going there. I compiled below a number of relevant equipment additions that show the importance the Russians are attaching to the Caucasus (see following posts)

Why are Putin and Medvedev doing that? Is it to prevent another aggressive act from Saakashvili et al? Or, is it much more than that?

After routing Saakashvili’s troops and wrestling away the Ukraine from the grips of the Orange Revolution, the Russians were quick to extend the lease of the Sevastopol Naval base in Ukraine (till 2042)and did the same for their Gyumri and Erebuni bases in Armenia (until 2044). It took them also no time to establish permanent bases in the new republics of Abkhazia (49 year free lease)and South Ossetia (99 year free lease).

As I mentioned in the beginning, I am not a political expert, but I can put 2 and 2 together. Longer term military presence agreements in Ukraine and Armenia, new bases in S. Ossetia and Abkhazia, latest weapons and aircraft and a whole new series of warships for the Black Sea can mean one thing: The Kremlin is giving top priority to the Caucasus and Black Sea area. The Russians are there to stay and are getting ready for any possible future armed conflict. They want to keep the region under their control and they don’t want to let Turkey, Iran or the West call the shots. The message they are sending is loud and clear.

The Russians are not only relying on their military might, but also on their allies in the region: The Abkazhians, the Ossetians and the Armenians. The Orthodox Christian Russians know too well their long term allies and foes. The Russians have fought the Turks for centuries and have always been back stabbed by various Moslem clans in the Caucasus. Any short term agreements, business deals between them and the Turks, Azeris or Iranians are exactly that: short term. I believe the same applies to the currently “warmer” relationship between the West and Russia. Yes, they say the “reset button” is working . In my humble opinion it is also temporary, over the long term they are all foes or, at least, rivals.

The struggle for the control of the Caucasus between the Russians, the US-UK pact, Turkey and Iran continues. The Russian side is currently the strongest contender, and is still getting stronger.

ZORAVAR

[ZORAVAR]

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

Black Sea Fleet to get 18 new warships and renew naval aviation till 2020

Black Sea Fleet (BSF) will receive six Project 22350 frigates, six Project 677 diesel submarines, two Project 11711 large landing ships, four ships of other projects, modernized bombers Su-24M instead of obsolete versions, and ASW aircrafts Il-38 instead of amphibious aircrafts Be-12 till 2020, reports Zerkalo Nedeli referring to Russian Navy Main HQ.

Reinforcement of Black Sea Fleet will be conducted under State Arms Program 2011-2020, added the source.

Navy Main HQ previously said that most of BSF ships have been in service for over 35 years, so by 2015 when new ships are commissioned into BSF the whole fleet would be in need of replacement. Being in operation for over 40 years, ASW aircrafts will be subject to decommission by that time.

On Oct 20 Russian and Ukrainian defense ministers signed a document providing that Russia will inform Ukraine about manpower, arms, and strength of Black Sea Fleet. Anatoly Serdiukov pointed out that the significant agreement signed is the first step to renewal of Black Sea Fleet.

Currently, Russian BSF has less than 40 warships, including the fleet's flagship Guard missile cruiser Moskva; two submarines (only B-871 Alrosa is operable); two large ASW ships; three frigates; small missile, landing, reconnaissance ships; seagoing minesweepers, and salvage vessels. BSF naval aviation numbers about 35 aircrafts (Su-24, Su-24MR, Be-12, An-2, An-12, An-26) and 20 helicopters (Ka-27, Mi-14, Mi-8). Fleet manpower numbers about 25,000.

Black Sea Fleet (BSF) is an operational-strategic formation of Russian Navy; its main objective is ensuring Russia's military security in the Black Sea. It is believed that BSF was established on May 13, 1783 when the group of warships from disbanded Azov Flotilla led by Vice Admiral F.A. Klokachev arrived to Akhtiarskaya Harbor. Through over 200 years of its history, Black Sea Fleet took part in many campaigns, including Russo-Turkish wars, French War, the Great Patriotic War. Black Sea Fleet has written glorious pages in Russian Navy's chronicles; they are Battle of Tendra (1790), Battle of Sinop (1853), defense of Sevastopol (1854-1855, 1941-1942) and etc. During the Great Patriotic War BSF conducted 24 landing operations, scuppered 835 and damaged 539 enemy's ships. The breakup of the USSR made a serious strike upon Black Sea Fleet; according to bilateral agreements between Russia and Ukraine signed in 1995 and 1997 Soviet BSF was divided into Russian Black Sea Fleet and Ukrainian Navy. Nowadays, the greater part of the fleet's infrastructure is located in Ukraine. In 2008 Black Sea Fleet participated in Russian-Georgian conflict. Black Sea Fleet HQ is situated in Sevastopol. Some BSF naval bases are Novorossiysk, Sevastopol; under construction are Novorossiysk and Ochamchira (Abkhazia). Since July 17, 2007 BSF Commander is VADM Alexander Kletskov.

Source: http://rusnavy.com/news/newsofday/in...EMENT_ID=10601

Above article (among many others) talks about the current plans to re-equip the Black Sea Fleet with whole series of freshly built warships and submarines. Construction has already started on a corvette and a submarine with work on the first frigate to start before the end of this year. Since the nineties the BSF was the most neglected fleet with some of the oldest warships still soldiering on. Over the last 20 years, with many warships being decommissioned, the fleet shrank so much in size and quality that they could no longer maintain a permanent presence in the Mediterannean. Now, almost with a snap of the fingers, the Sevastopol based Black Sea Fleet has more frigates, corvettes, landing ships and submarines being planned and built than the mightiest and traditionally considered as the most important Russian Northern fleet .

ZORAVAR

[ZORAVAR]

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

Russia's Caucasus is Priority for Mi-28N Deliveries

Yesterday Rostov Helicopter Plant (‘Rosvertol’) General Director Boris Slyusar said the Russian Armed Forces are the priority for Mi-28N ‘Night Hunter’ deliveries, despite what he claims are many profitable offers from abroad. According to ITAR-TASS, he said:

“We have many requests for the Mi-28N, but the RF Defense Ministry still doesn’t have these systems in sufficient quantity, and we will take its interests into account first.”

Slyusar didn’t give the number of Mi-28N helicopters in Russian forces, but he said the North Caucasus Military District (NCMD) has about 20 ‘Night Hunters,’ and there will be more. He added:

“Our task is to create in the district’s [NCMD's] troops in 2011 two groupings of Mi-28N.”

Who knows what he means by groupings. Squadrons? A second squadron or two additional squadrons? The information on the number of Mi-28N delivered is unclear and contradictory. In late 2009, Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov rather dubiously claimed Russia had already procured 27.

In May, a ‘Rosvertol’ marketing official said Russia would receive two squadrons of Mi-28N helicopters before 2011. She said two Mi-28N went to the pilot training center at Torzhok in early 2008, and ten more — apparently for the NCMD’s Budennovsk-based 487th Helicopter Regiment — were delivered in 2009. In mid-2009, ‘Helicopters of Russia’ General Director Andrey Shibitov also told Interfaks-AVN the Russian military had 12 Mi-28N helicopters.

So the question still stands: a second squadron of maybe 10 helicopters, or two additional squadrons? One thing’s certain, this goal’s been pushed from 2010 to 2011.

‘Rosvertol’ General Director Slyusar indicated his company sold 10 billion rubles of products in 2009, and this year sales are more than 15 billion rubles. Receipts from domestic and export sales are about equal. By 2015, the company has an ambitious goal of $1 billion in sales. Slyusar says the company is moving on this plan with modernization, equipment purchases, and people.

Source: http://russiandefpolicy.wordpress.co...8n-deliveries/

The Mi-28 NightHunter is the replacement of the famous Mi-24 Krokodil (Hind). During 2009, the first operational squadron of these modern and very capable helicopters was based not near Moscow or St. Petersburg, not in the Far East, not in central Asia…but right at Buddenovsk in the Caucasus.

ZORAVAR

[ZORAVAR]

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

Newest Warplanes to be Deployed within Striking range of Caucasus

The Su-34 is the latest fighter-bomber that is just now entering squadron service with the Russian Air Force. And guess were they are basing the first squadron: at Voronezh, 500 km south of Moscow. From there, this plane can fly to anywhere in the Caucasus and surrounding areas, drop its heavy load of smart bombs and precision missiles and return to base without having to do a single mid-air refueling. Nice location the Russians have chosen for the first squadron. Again it is not in the North-West facing the might of NATO, not in the East against any possible threats from China or Japan and not in South Siberia positioned to cover the volatile hotspots of the Central Asian Republics.

ZORAVAR