The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

[Armenian]

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

INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIA’S ARMENIANS UNION AND WORLD ARMENIAN CONGRESS ARA ABRAHAMIAN



- Mr. Abrahamian, interviews with you have become traditional on the eve of the Days of Russia’s Armenians Union and World Armenian Congress, when you visit Armenia with the delegations of scientists, doctors, and businessmen, social and political figures. And the first question is the following – how do you qualify the created situation in Armenia after the parliamentary elections?

You are right when you say that our cooperation has become traditional on the eve of the Days of Russia’s Armenians Union and World Armenian Congress and I am always ready for it. I am happy to mention that the parliamentary elections in May were well organized and there was a step forward in that sphere, as the international society mentioned, and the elections didn’t turn into a street fighting between the authorities and the opposition. Moreover, CIS observers, representatives of OSCE, PACE and other legal institutions didn’t dispute the results of the elections. The result of the parliamentary elections was the victory of two ruling parties: Republican and Prosperous Armenia; and they formed a government ruled by the Republican Serge Sargsian. And the fact of having majority in the parliament let the authorities to adopt laws based on the economic and social programs that were proposed by those parties during their electoral campaign.

The time of their governance is too short to qualify the ups and downs of the new government, though it’s noticeable that they are working in special regime, as the presidential elections are in advance and the leader of the government is one of the real candidates for the presidency. The government must create conditions for the support of the electorate with concrete tasks. Anyway, not only the ruling parties but also the opposition gets ready for the coming elections. Soon we’ll be aware of the results of political maneuvers and secret agreements. We’ll know the names of all candidates for presidency. And after it the real campaign will start.

- What do you think what kind of economic situation is created in our country?

I have tried to speak of that issue several times. Now I would like to mention that some changes have been recorded in the economy; an economic growth is recorded according to official data. Nevertheless, taking into account the whole complex of difficulties in Armenia, even that growth is not enough to solve very serious strategic issues. We need a break in those spheres of economy, which could provide Armenia’s leading position in the region, taking into account its complicated relations with its neighbors and the factor of blockade. Issues of finding ways of running the blockade and reestablishment of transport communications are still in agenda, which would certainly make more favorable conditions for an economic jump. People say, "Bad conditions make people more inventive". Maybe the continuing blockade will force Armenia to use the modern means of communication and Internet more efficiently for development of informational systems and economy based on science. The blockade of Armenia is not an obstacle for the Armenian developers, specialists of high technologies, scientists and economists to be involved in the sphere of world processes and economy based on science. Of course, it demands big investments that unfortunately Armenia does not have at present.

- How can you describe the situation in Russia before the parliamentary elections, especially when it will be followed by the presidential elections that will clear up the name of the next president of Russia?

The political and economic state in Russia is stable. The president is highly respected among the population. His rating is high and increased to 80 percent. According to opinion poll, today 40 percent of the electorate is ready to support the candidate for presidency, who will be presented by the President Putin. Identified with their president, leaders of the "United Russia" party anticipate getting 50 percent of votes in coming parliamentary elections. The prospects of this party widened when Vladimir Putin agreed to lead the list of the party. The Communist and Just Russia parties are in the second and third places. Jirinovski’s Liberal-Democratic Party protects its position in political sphere. The Alliance of Right Power and "Yabloko" are in bad situation; according to the poll, they have no chance to be in State Duma. I think that political stability creates conditions for economic stability.

- How can the elections of Armenia and Russia influence over the nature of the relations of two countries?

The elections of Russia and Armenia can hardly influence over the nature of our two countries’ partnership and strategic relations. The meeting of the Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sargsian and Russian new Prime Minister V. Zubkov showed the stable nature of the relations of the two countries. The visit of the Armenian PM was very productive; the two sides signed an agreement of further development of cooperation. And that is a guarantee that the elections of Armenia and Russia will not effect negatively the nature of the two countries’ relations, but also will contribute to their further productive and profitable trade-economic and strategic-political cooperation.

As we know, we are on the eve of the presidential elections in Armenia. The parties haven’t officially announced their candidates for presidency yet, but we approximately picture the names of the candidates for presidency from the ruling party and opposition. The situation is peculiar as the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosian is activated after ten years of silence. How do you qualify the chances of the candidates and who will Russia’s Armenians Union and World Armenian Congress support in the coming presidential elections?

Though the passions of the parliamentary elections have calmed down recently, the main candidates are preparing their electoral offices for the coming campaign. We know who the main candidates of the authorities are. I don’t want to qualify the chances of each candidate now. We’ll have time for it. I only want to repeat a sentence: it’s not important who will the next president of Armenia be, it’s important what kind of potential and qualifications he will have. It’s an indispensable condition, as the next president of Armenia must be highly respected by the majority of the population and be legitimate not only for the Armenian society, but also for Diaspora and International society.

- Taking into account good relations between you and the Armenian PM Serge Sargsian, who will probably be the candidate of the ruling party, will you support him in the coming elections? Or maybe you will support Artur Baghdasarian or Levon Ter-Petrosian?

Actually, I have good relations with all political parties: Dashnaktsutiun, Republican, etc., I don’t hide my warm friendly relations with Armenian PM Serge Sargsian. I have the greatest respect for the first president Levon Ter-Petrosian, and I have also good relations with Arthur Baghdasarian. Anyway, in this case I would like the electoral process to go on within the law, in conditions of stability. I would like the candidates to propose detailed programs of social-economic development and settlement of vitally important issues of foreign policy of the country. Of course, before the elections I will express my opinion taking into account the programs of this or that candidate and his potential of getting over the problems, as the settlement of those issues is a matter of the greatest importance to our people.

- And the last question –many questions arose in Armenia recently in connection 1with your appeal to the Armenian Procurator General, which demanded to punish the kidnapper-criminals in the territory of the Russian Federation. What was the reason of that appeal and did you demand to punish concrete people?

Russia’s Armenians Union often gets requests of help and we help people within our power. The most unpleasant thing is that in Moscow and in other parts of Russia Armenians square accounts with each other, i.e. the recent incident with the Armenian deputy in the hotel "Metropol". These kinds of incidents cause serious harm to our community. And I considered it necessary to appeal the Armenian Procurator General in order the Armenian authorities solve this problem and prevent repetition of similar crimes. I think that it’s the business of the General Procurator’s office to reveal concrete trespassers and punish them. I want to underline that we’ll struggle against all the phenomena that cause harm to the positive picture of the Armenians and Armenian community in Russia.

Source: http://www.azg.am/?lang=EN&num=2007101001

[Armenian]

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

Spy Chief: West Wants to Split Russia



Russia's security chief said that Western spies were working to weaken and break up the country and singled out British agents as the most intrusive, according to an interview published Wednesday. Nikolai Patrushev, who heads the Federal Security Service, the main KGB successor agency, also claimed that foreign spies were working to foment discontent in Russia in the run-up to December's parliamentary elections and the presidential vote next spring. Patrushev is a longtime ally of President Vladimir Putin, and his comments reflect deeply entrenched suspicions of Western intentions in the Kremlin's inner circle amid a cold spell in Russia's relations with the West. Putin himself is a 16-year KGB veteran and former chief of the Federal Security Service, known as the FSB.

"Politicians thinking in the categories of the Cold War still retain their influence in a number of Western nations," Patrushev told the weekly Argumenty i Fakty. "They have claimed credit for the collapse of the Soviet Union, and they are hatching plans aimed at dismembering Russia. They are viewing special services and their organizations as an efficient instrument for their implementation."

Patrushev said that foreign spies were focusing their efforts on gathering information related to Russia's elections. "They are trying to influence protest feelings and demonstrations in Russia."

He singled out Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, saying its agents "aren't only gathering intelligence in all areas, but they are also trying to influence the development of the domestic political situation in our country."

Britain's Foreign Office didn't immediately have any comment on the matter. Russian-British relations have been sliding, and they were strained further by last November's poisoning death in London of former Russian security agent Alexander Litvinenko. Litvinenko, a fierce Kremlin critic given asylum in Britain, accused Putin on his deathbed of being behind his polonium poisoning — charges the Kremlin has angrily denied. Russia has rejected British demands for the extradition of the sole suspect in Litvinenko's murder, former KGB officer Andrei Lugovoi, who met with Litvinenko in a London hotel bar the day he fell ill. Putin dismissed the extradition demands as a relic of British "colonial thinking."

Patrushev said that his agency had learned how to counter British intelligence.

"We know both its strong and weak points," he said. "Since the times of Elizabeth I, (MI6) agents have been guided by the principle of the ways justifying the means. Money, bribery, blackmail, exemption from punishment for crimes committed are their main recruitment methods."

Patrushev claimed that British intelligence has relied on people who fled abroad to avoid criminal charges in Russia — an apparent hint at Kremlin critics living in Britain, such as tycoon Boris Berezovsky and Chechen rebel leader Akhmed Zakayev. Russia has vainly sought their extradition. Patrushev also alleged that foreign spies were using non-governmental organizations "both for gathering intelligence information and as an instrument for having a hidden influence over political processes." He pointed at the revolutions that ousted unpopular governments in the former Yugoslavia, Ukraine and Georgia as a product of such activities. The statement reflected Kremlin concerns over outside influence within Russia amid Western accusations of backsliding on democracy — the fears that prompted the government to tighten restrictions on NGOs.

"There is a danger of foreign NGOs being used to finance activities to undermine Russia," Patrushev said. He claimed that some NGOs were also being used by international terror groups to support militants in Russia's volatile North Caucasus. Patrushev said the CIA and MI6 were actively relying on the special services of Poland, Georgia and the Baltics to spy on Russia. He said his agency had uncovered 270 foreign intelligence officers and 70 agents they had recruited, including 35 Russian citizens, since 2003. While fuming at the West, Patrushev said that his agency would continue to cooperate with its Western counterparts in combating international terrorism.

Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g...JmmxAD8S69TKG0

[Armenian]

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

Head of Russian secret service accuses MI6 of plotting against Putin


Putin is expected to engineer the choice of a crony as new President and retain most of the power in Russia

MI6 is stirring up dissent in Russia to influence upcoming elections and stop President Putin holding on to power, the Kremlin's security chief claimed yesterday. The head of Russia's Federal Security Service - the successor of the KGB - said British spies were intent on weakening Russia and breaking up the country. British secret agents had been doing the same since the reign of Elizabeth I, claimed Nikolai Patrushev, a close ally of Mr Putin. In an interview with the weekly Argumenty I Fakti, Patrushev alleged that MI6 agents were "not only gathering intelligence in all areas but also trying to influence the development of the domestic political situation in our country."

"Right at the moment foreign intelligence services are making considerable efforts to get information about the forthcoming elections to the State Duma (lower house of parliament) and presidency," he said.

Last week, Mr. Putin announced he would lead the dominant United Russia party, which would give him a strong chance of becoming Prime Minister next year when the constitution requires that he step down as President after two consecutive terms. Analysts expect him to engineer the choice of a crony as new President and retain most of the power in Russia himself. Foreign Office sources said this week that election observers are not being given normal access to Russia ahead of the parliamentary vote in December and the presidential election in March. Britain's ambassador to Russia, Tony Brenton, suffered months of harassment from the pro-Kremlin youth organisation, Nashi, after attending an opposition conference in 2006.

The Foreign Office sources said British-Russia relations remained at a low and were not likely to improve in the near future because of Russia's refusal to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, the businessman wanted in connection with the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London last November. Perhaps speaking for internal consumption, Patrushev painted a paranoid picture of Russia beset on all sides by foreign spies, eager to dig up the country's secrets and destabilise it ahead of the elections. British agents were the worst offenders, he said, although he offered no new evidence.

"Since the time of Elizabeth 1 the British principle has been 'the end justifies the means," he said.

"Money, corruption, blackmail, offering immunity from prosecution, these are their main methods of recruitment."

In Cold War language, Patrushev attacked not only MI6 but also spies from Poland, the Baltic States, Georgia, Turkey and Pakistan as stooges of the CIA. Spies were poking their noses into everything from the state of Russia's armed forces to conditions in the Caucasus, Siberia and the Far East, he said.

"Regarding the collapse of the Soviet Union as their achievement, they are now nurturing plans to carve up Russia," he said. But he reserved special scorn for London, now the base of Russian exiles such as Boris Berezovsky.

"Lately, to achieve their political goals, the British have been relying on individuals accused of crimes and hiding abroad from Russian justice," Patrushev said. He reiterated accusations that Berezovksy and Litvinenko had tried to recruit Russian citizens to work for MI6. He also dredged up old allegations, dating back to 2005, that British agents had placed fake rocks in Moscow parks to hide their transmitters. And he claimed that the use of non-governmental organisations was "in the arsenal" of foreign intelligence services trying to provoke a revolution in Russia similar to the 2004 Orange Revolution in the Ukraine.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1811

[Armenian]

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

Gazprom interested in Russia-Armenia-Iran oil refinery



Gazprom said it is still positive about joint project between Russia, Iran, and Armenia to construct an oil refinery in Armenia. Gazprom Neft — the oil arm of Russian energy company Gazprom — is reportedly considering an investment of $1.7 billion to build the joint oil refinery, which would process oil pumped from Tabriz in northern Iran, “The Messenger” reported. Gazprom officials say it will process 5–6 million tons of oil annually. Some would be used by Armenia; most would be shipped back to Iran. Valery Golubev, head of Gazprom’s Investment and Construction Department, commented that the project is still in the offing but an appropriate 400 hectare site for the refinery has not yet been found. Some Russian commentators suggest the project is motivated by political rather than financial interests, as usually the most economically productive location for an oil refinery is near a major pipeline route or at a seaport. However, Gazprom replies that with effective management, the refinery could be economically profitable and may offer competition for Azerbaijan, the main oil exporter in the South Caucasus. However, Regnum reports Gobulev as saying, “Building an oil refinery in Armenia is interesting for Gazprom from the geopolitical point of view.”

Source: http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=154756

[skhara]

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

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7037100.stm

For the first time, Nato is holding a major military exercise in a non-member country, Croatia. The BBC's Nick Hawton has been given access to the Noble Midas 07 exercise.

A Spanish fighter pilot emerges from his xxxxpit after his warplane touches down on the UK aircraft carrier, HMS

He takes his helmet off and joins several Italian fighter pilots who have already gone below decks. The French air traffic controller who brought them in is on the bridge talking to his British colleagues.

This is a sign of how Nato is changing. With the military forces of Western nations stretched, particularly those of the US and UK, flexibility and adaptability are becoming increasingly important.

"It's a great experience because right now all these countries are working together. You realise you can operate as a joint force community," says Spanish pilot Lt Eduardo Lopez.

Kosovo scenario'

In the operations room on HMS Illustrious, Cmdr Tom Cunningham says integrating forces at this level has simply not happened before.

"I think it indicates both the way we must go and the willingness we have to go that way," he says.

"But it also makes sense in terms of cost. Military equipment is hugely expensive and it's impossible for each nation to hold individually the whole repertoire. What we're seeing here is the ability of several nations to provide a capability together that no-one could alone."

The exercise, being conducted by Nato's Response Force, is based on the scenario of a military conflict in a breakaway province in the Balkans.

It appears to be a thinly disguised reference to current events in nearby Kosovo, whose its majority ethnic Albanian population is seeking independence from Serbia.

But any direct links are denied by French Rear Adm Alain Hinden, who is in charge of the Noble Midas exercise.

"This exercise has been designed for years. The UN and Nato are training for this type of real intervention, of humanitarian assistance be it in this region or anywhere else in the world," he says.

Mixed feelings

A dozen Nato nations are taking part, including new members Romania and Bulgaria. Would-be members Croatia and Albania are also represented.

But public opinion in Croatia itself is divided over whether the country should join the organisation.

On the seafront in Split, the city where the exercise is being co-ordinated, people have mixed views.

"My friend's a fisherman and he said there has been nothing to catch for the past week because of all these ships," says 44-year-old Anton Perkovic.

"I am not sure whether the country really needs to be in Nato. What benefits would there be for me?" he says.

But Maria Krekic, a student, says it would be good for Croatia to join Nato.

"We need to join international organisations like this. It will also help provide us with security in the long term," she says.

[Armenian]

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

For the first time, Nato is holding a major military exercise in a non-member country, Croatia.

Clearly, lines are being drawn all around the world. It's only a matter of time before the international powder keg explodes, yet again.

[skhara]

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

Perhaps NATO feels a potential threat to their position in the Balkans in the near future? hmmmmmmmm?

[Armenian]

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

Perhaps NATO feels a potential threat to their position in the Balkans in the near future? hmmmmmmmm?

True.

Although Moscow seems to be solidifying its pro-Serbian position regarding Kosovo, the situation there is quite complex from a geopolitical standpoint.

It is obvious that NATO is pushing for Kosovo's independence in order to permanently weaken Serbia and to undermine Russian influence in the immediate region. The West is also interested in turning the entire region, with the obvious exception of Serbia, into a vast NATO affiliated network that will in the future act as a buffer against the Russian Federation.

Nonetheless, independence for Kosovo may actually serve Russian interests geopolitically for it can potentially open the way to independence for Abkhazia and Ossetia, or the unification of the aforementioned to the Russian Federation. Such a situation would greatly strengthen Russian stature in the region. Such a situation would also make Serbia desperately dependent on Moscow. It will also serve to antagonize more and more Russians and Orthodox Slavs in general against the West and NATO. It could also give us Armenians a 'precedence' and a better leverage in negotiations concerning NKR.

However, if Russia succeeds in stopping the NATO-lead independence movement in Kosovo, Moscow will be seen as a hero in much of Eurasia. And it will also gain political leverage in central Europe. Let's also not forget that many nations have their "Kosovos." So, from China to India to Iraq to Israel to Turkey to Spain to Cyprus this is a very sensitive issue.

I personally think Russia will want to stop Kosovo's independence because it is seeking political influence in central Europe and it knows that Abkhazia and Ossestia, independence or no independence, are not going anywhere. Moscow also seems quite tired of the West aggressive stance around the world. Thus, Moscow may be seeking to rub their intrusive noses in some kaka. And the situation in Kosovo may be coming to that.

In final analysis: Regardless of the outcome in Kosovo Moscow can come out the winner geopolitically.

[skhara]

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

Saw an article earlier today that mentioned Abkhazia and S Ossetia to some British official who said:

Now read this out loud and try to sound pompous and arrogant:

"Clearly Kosovo is a unique case."

[Armenian]

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

Saw an article earlier today that mentioned Abkhazia and S Ossetia to some British official who said: Now read this out loud and try to sound pompous and arrogant: "Clearly Kosovo is a unique case."

Clearly a unique case it is...

Did you catch the following article?

Russia and the Kosovo Card



TBILISI _ Look before you leap is as sound a principle in foreign policy as it is in life. Yet, once again, the Bush administration is preparing to leap into the unknown. Even though lack of foresight is universally viewed as a leading cause of its Iraq debacle, the United States (with British backing probable) is now preparing to recognize Kosovo's independence unilaterally _ irrespective of the consequences for Europe and the world. Kosovo has been administered since 1999 by a United Nations mission guarded by NATO troops, although it remains formally a part of Serbia.

But, with Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority demanding its own state, and with Russia refusing to recognize U.N. mediator Martti Ahtisaari's plan for conditional independence, the U.S. is preparing to go it alone. Instead of thinking what Ahtisaari deemed unthinkable, a partition of Kosovo with a small part of the north going to Serbia and the rest linked to the Kosovars ethnic brethren in Albania or a separate state, the U.S. plans to act without the U.N.'s blessing, arguing that only an independent Kosovo will bring stability to the Western Balkans. That argument is debatable _ and the record of the Kosovar government suggests that it is wrong. But the U.S. position is unambiguously misguided in not foreseeing that the ``Kosovo precedent" will incite instability and potentially even violence elsewhere.

Why the rush to give Kosovo independence? Many serious disputes have gone unresolved for decades. The Kashmir question has lingered since 1947, the Turkish occupation of Northern Cyprus since 1974, and Israel's occupation of the West Bank from 1967. Yet no one is suggesting that unilateral solutions be imposed in these potential flashpoints. Nevertheless, the U.S. _ and most European Union members _ argue that Kosovo's situation is sui generis and will set no legally binding international precedent. But Russia sees things very differently. Indeed, it may seek to use this precedent to re-establish its authority over the nations and territories that were once part of the Soviet Union.

Spain and Cyprus with their worries over secessionist-minded regions, are worried by any possible precedent. Romania fears the fallout from Kosovo's unilaterally gaining independence on neighboring Moldova. The worry is that Russia will unilaterally recognize the breakaway Moldovan territory of Transdnistria, which Russian troops and criminal gangs have been propping up for 16 years. Ukraine _ the great prize in Russia's bid to recapture its former sphere of influence _ is also deeply anxious. It fears that Russia will encourage separatist tendencies in Crimea, where the ethnic Russian population forms a majority. (Crimea was ceded to Ukraine by Nikita Khrushchev only in 1954).

Russia may decide to abuse the Kosovo precedent further to divide Ukraine's population between Russian speakers and Ukrainian speakers. But the biggest risks posed by unilateral recognition of Kosovo's independence are in the South Caucasus, a region that abuts the tinderbox of today's Middle East. Here, there is a real danger that Russia may recognize breakaway regions in the South Caucasus, _ and back them more strongly than it does now. Even before Vladimir Putin became Russia's president, the Kremlin was making mischief in Georgia, issuing Russian passports to citizens of Abkhazia (the largest breakaway region) and pouring money into its economy.

Russia's supposed ``peacekeeping troops" in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia's other secession-minded region, have in fact protected their rebel governments. Russia has also been enforcing a complete trade embargo on Georgia in the hope of weakening the resolve of its pro-Western president, Mikhail Saakashvili. Should Russia recognize Abkhazia's independence, Saakashvili might be tempted to respond militarily to prevent his country from unraveling. Renewed conflict in Abkhazia would not only bring the risk of open warfare with Russia, but strain relations with Armenia, as there are near to 50,000 Armenians in Abkhazia who support the breakaway government.

Another risk in the South Caucasus is that Russia (with Armenian support) will recognize Nagorno-Karabakh's self-proclaimed independence from Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh, historically Armenian, endured a bloody secessionist war between1988 and 1994, with 30,000 killed and 14 percent of Azerbaijan's territory occupied by Russian-backed Armenian forces. Since then, oil has fuelled an Azeri military buildup. So the government in Baku is far more prepared to respond to renewed warfare than it was in the 1990's. Moreover, it has neighboring Turkey on its side. Turkey is already enforcing a punitive economic embargo on Armenia, including closure of its border.

Military projections by the US have repeatedly suggested that Azerbaijan would lose such a battle, even with newly purchased equipment and Turkish military support. Armenian forces are well dug in and have received a significant boost from Russia's diversion of heavy weaponry to Armenia from some recently closed Georgian military bases. Iran also must be factored into this equation, as it is becoming a strategic investor by building an oil refinery just across its border in Armenia, partly as a security measure in case of a U.S. attack and partly to relieve its petrol shortages. Moreover, Iran remains eager to contain Azerbaijani revanchist claims over the large Azeri minority in northern Iran.

The conflicts in Transdnistria and the South Caucasus are usually called "frozen conflicts," because not much has happened since they began in the early 1990's. Any unilateral move to give Kosovo its independence is likely to unfreeze them _ fast and bloodily. And such potential bloodshed on Russia's border may give Vladimir Putin the pretext he may desire to extend his rule beyond its constitutionally mandated end next March.

Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news...137_11176.html