Why Do I Get Warm And Fuzzy Feelings...

[Z'areh]

....towards the Russians when I read this;

 

Says Ivashov: "Armenia has the right to establish relations with whom it wishes. But if it conflicts with Russia's interests Moscow can transform cooperation into the level of mutually beneficial relations without

any political or economic preferences. However such situation will conflict with Armenia's national interests and will result in the isolation of the republic and even in its collapse."

 

 

 

LEONID IVASHOV: THREAT OF RESUMPTION OF HOSTILITIES IN KARABAKH QUITE REAL

 

PanARMENIAN.Net

17.04.2006 GMT+04:00

 

Interview

 

The South Caucasus has always been a place of collision of

superpowers. Due to the Nagorno Karabakh and Georgian-Abkhaz conflict

there is an impression formed that Russia is gradually being forced

out of the region. What is the actual state of affairs?

 

PanARMENIAN.Net asked first vice-president of the Academy of

Geopolitical Studies, Colonel General, Doctor of Historical Sciences

Leonid Ivashov, who headed Russian Army General Staff till 2001.

 

-How serious are Azerbaijan's statements on readiness to resumption

of hostilities on the Karabakh front?

 

>Security issues should always be treated seriously.

 

Taking into account the complexity of the Nagorno Karabakh problem

security is the main task of the state and the major responsibility of

the President and government. Only via military balance it's possible

to preserve political settlement. The threat of an armed conflict

and resumption of hostilities is quite real.

 

Keeping the situation within a political settlement is possible only

via balance of military potentials.

 

Domination of military force of one of the parties can result in a

new bloodshed.

 

-Which is the Russia's policy towards settlement of the Nagorno

Karabakh conflict?

 

>The Russian leadership lacks a precise strategy on the South

Caucasus. In relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia Russia abides

by the balance of friendly interaction. This line helps to maintain

peace in Karabakh.

 

A notion is formed lately that Russia is trying to strengthen its

position in the South Caucasus resorting to means that are not

popular. Is this true?

 

Russia, in the person of the reasonable part of its leadership, is

trying to maintain its presence and influence in the Caucasus. It's

important for Russia to prevent destabilization in the North Caucasus,

deployment of NATO military bases and projection of military force

inland.

 

In my opinion, Armenia is Russia's monument point in the South

Caucasus. At the same time it is vitally important for Armenia to have

allied relations with Russia. If Armenia relies on promises made by

the West it will lose its state system and independence.

 

-If Georgia and Azerbaijan escape the zone of Russia's influence, will

not Armenia be isolated, hoping for Russia's good will, which can act

in the same manner, as in 1921 by concluding an alliance with Ataturk?

 

>Armenia has the right to establish relations with whom it wishes. But

if it conflicts with Russia's interests Moscow can transform

cooperation into the level of mutually beneficial relations without

any political or economic preferences. However such situation will

conflict with Armenia's national interests and will result in the

isolation of the republic and even in its collapse.

 

A large Armenian Diaspora lives in Russia. "I think it could make a

great contribution to the development of the Russian-Armenian allied

relations.

[vava]

Bend over, or else.

[skhara]

Bend over, or else.

 

Which is different from any power projecting entity how?

[Z'areh]

Which is different from any power projecting entity how?

 

They're supposed to be our friends, and more importantly, we are supposed to rely on them for our national security.

 

That's how!

[vava]

and we still must, 'bend over'

[zurderer]

without karabag solution, ROA have no alternative.

 

dont missunderstood me, but ROA have realy bad relation with half of his neighbors. Georgia, azeris, and Turkey. Iran is a wild cart. If Usa attack iran (Even without Usa attack to iran), Only Russia can protect ROA.

 

So I think, you should bend over.

[skhara]

They're supposed to be our friends, and more importantly,

 

"friends". I call friends and foes in regards to people relations not geopolitical relations. Armenia needs her own ability to project. And what Russia is doing, in purely geopolitical strategies, is not surprising. Moscow is paranoid about NATO infiltration, they look to Armenia as the base point to reassert themselves in the Caucasus. Hence the statement that Armenia can do what she wants so long as it doesn't go against Russia's interest. "Warms and fuzzies are not even relevant here."

 

we are supposed to rely on them for our national security.

 

We do. You have a better alternative, i'm all ears.

[zurderer]

Last think russia want is to solve karabak problem, so dont missunderstood me but, your national security will not safe, short or middle time.

 

You have an ally, which dont want to solve conflict, armenian politicians have realy hard work. They should use armenian diaspora against iran war.

 

But well, jewish one is always better.

[skhara]

Last think russia want is to solve karabak problem,

 

Russia doesn't want to solve it, or if "solve" it they want to "solve it" on their terms. Just as with the other Caucasian conflicts in Abkhazia and Ossetia. But they don't have to worry about it being solved since Armenians will not accept anything short of a recognition from Baku of a complete and total break and the retaining of vital strategic zones. And Baku will not accept anything short of complete control of all the currently liberated Armenian territories.

 

They should use armenian diaspora against iran war.

 

But well, jewish one is always better.

 

Armenian diaspora doesn't have the power to start or block wars. The only detterent to Iran war, will be Iran itself.

Edited April 22, 2006 by skhara

[zurderer]

Russia doesn't want to solve it, or if "solve" it they want to "solve it" on their terms.

 

Infact I think there is not an answer to karabak question that will benefit russian terms. Even Turkey and azeris have other problems with ROA, main problem was karabak, and ROA is last castle of russia at Caucasus. That is why she is trying to bind ROA totally. Every type of agreement is against russian benefits. Divide and Rule, or find a divided place and rule more easly.

 

Armenian diaspora doesn't have the power to start or block wars. The only detterent to Iran war, will be Iran itself.

 

No, not alone. But there is already a rising anti-war wave.

[Z'areh]

We do. You have a better alternative, i'm all ears.

 

nope, just warm and fuzzy feelings towards what is clearly an unabashed uttering of threats!

 

what was it? a billion or so dollars forgiven from Cuba, Syria etc...But hold on!!! Armenia has to give up pretty much the entire energy infrastructures, for 100 million dollars of dept, dictated how big the gas pipeline should be from Iran (to make sure there is no overabundance of energy supplies for Armenia to have some extra reserves ,God forbid!).

Oh,the best one is to charge Armenia $110 per thousand c/l. of gas when the market is in the $60 range.(fallen after the initial spike in prices) but still demand 110.

 

.....But out of the goodness of a strategic partner, Armenia can be let to pay $56 per 1000 c/l provided they hand over more industries.

 

 

It warms my heart to see such strong Armenian regard towards what strengthens Russia.

 

vava sums it up perfectly in his two words.