Ara Abrahamian - & - His Ambitious Plan

[MosJan]

FORWARD HIS AMBITIOUS PLAN

 

Ara Abrahamian, the chairman of the influential Union of Russian Armenians who is said to have close Kremlin connections, may meet later this year with US president George W. Bush. Armenpress said that while speaking to RFE/RL on the telephone on July 24 on his way from New York to Washington, Abrahamian said he was going to meet with Bush administration officials and members of the U.S. Congress during his current trip to the USA. The businessman is traveling now across the country to seek the assistance of influential American-Armenian lobbying organizations to his ambitious idea of setting up a global organization representing millions of ethnic Armenians around the world.

 

Abrahamian has already had an audience with French President Jacques Chirac during a visit to Paris last month and was received by Pope John Paul II earlier this year.

 

Abrahamian also said that the economic and social programs which have been designed by the Union for Armenia will continue to be implemented, though its Armenian ally, the Ramkavar Azatakan Party of Armenia (HRAK), failed to win any parliament seats in the May 25 elections.

 

Meantime Russian Itar-Tass reported today that Abrahamian has met with senior US administration officials to discuss his plans, which he was quoted as saying are also aimed to contribute to development of ties between nations and seeking solutions to a range of global challenges.

 

Abrahamian had Thursday meetings with senior officials of White House and Congress, including Congressmen Adam Schiff and Tom Lentose. Abrahamian told Itar-Tass that his idea was completely supported by US officials. The constituent meeting of the organization is supposed to be held October 7-8 in Moscow.

 

Abrahamian was also reported to exchange opinions with US officials with regard to a string of South Caucasian problems and Armenia’s relations with Turkey. His next stops in the USA will be Los Angeles and san Francisco, which have the biggest Armenian communities in the USA. Abrahamian was last week proclaimed UNESCO’s goodwill ambassador.

[Sasun]

I think many Armenians have heard the name of Serge Jilavian, Armenian born businessman. He was also a sort of a tycoon in Russia, but his activities were kind of semi-legal semi-criminal, pretty common in early 90s for Russian business people. He was very rich, influential and had ambitions towards Armenia like Ara Abrahamian. There were rumors that Vano Siradeghian's gang tried to assassinate him in Moscow - somehow he was seen as a threat to Levon's presidency.

Anyway, this guy opened a World Congress of Armenians (not sure about the exact name) like Ara Abrahamian, opened some Armenian schools in Russia, and did some good things for Armenians. But what I heard about him the last time was that he was caught selling a very large amount of weapons to Chechens (something like $300 million? ) during the first Chechen war. That was a pretty bad turn for his career as well as for this organization. I hope Ara Abrahamian has no shady activities.

Does anyone remember him? What is he doing now? Is he in jail or abroad?

[gamavor]

The rumors were that he was richer than Berezovsky. I don't know about his shady businesess, but in that times this was the only way to do "business". Serj had huge interest in the former USSR cotton industry and generally he is a nice guy

[MosJan]

Vano and his gang has mad way to much problmes for Serj,

 

don't knwo if was in to weapons or not but he has don way to much for our ARmenia and Armenians

 

urter vora parq yev pativ iren / astso achqn el tor vrayits anpakas lini / Serji n@man Tramardiq qich en

[Lev7]

I hope that his plan works out, even though I find it very unlikely that so many different Armenian organizations around the world with their different views can come together. But it is worth a try. It is very crucial for us to unite and work together, especially now.

[MosJan]

US BACKS IDEA OF ESTABLISHING WORLD ARMENIAN ORGANIZATION

 

New York, Washington and Los Angeles fully backed an idea of establishing a World Armenian Organization, the president of the Union of Russian Armenians Ara Abrahamian, told wrapping up his visit to the United States.

 

Speaking of the results of his trip, Abrahamian emphasized that an idea of calling a World Congress of Armenians in Moscow and establishing a World Armenian Organization at this forum found backing and understanding both from the American Armenian Diaspora and U.S. officials at the highest level.

 

"We found full understanding and support in New York, Washington and Los Angeles when we described what would be our activities and what tasks we put forth," he explained.

 

Abrahamian noted that tasks, which will be set by the future organization, are of humanitarian and global nature. Therefore, they cannot raise objections. For instance one of its aims is economic integration between peoples and states at all levels, which will be promoted by the organization.

 

It will also promote struggle against international terrorism and poverty, introduction of advanced technologies as well as mediation in rendering humanitarian and social aid. "All this concerns not only Armenians, but is of wider, more likely global nature," Abrahamian emphasized.

 

Speaking of aims of his visit to Los Angeles, Abrahamian explained that one of the largest Armenian diasporas outside Armenia lives in that region, and he would like to explain directly to them aims and tasks of creating a World Armenian Organization, for the same of which he held a number of meetings at various levels.

 

He met representatives of American and local Armenian business quarters and explained the way things are in Russia. According to the union president, all with whom he met during the visit, clearly expressed readiness to back noble and humane aims, to be put forth by the future organization.

[MosJan]

ARA ABRAHAMIAN CONGRATULATES RUBEN MIRZAKHANIAN

 

The president of the Union of Russian Armenian, Ara Abrahamian, sent a congratulatory message to Ruben Mirzakhanian on the occasion of his election to the post of chairman of Tekeyan Cultural Union. The message runs, in particular: “ The Tekeyan Cultural Union, established in 1947, has played a significant role in cultural and enlightening activity of the Armenian Diaspora. It has extended its activity in Armenia since 1991. I am confident that by joining your organizational skills with your high professionalism you will ensure the further improvement of the Union.”

 

The message further says that the Union of Russian Armenians will be actively cooperating with Tekeyan Union for the sake of Armenian people and development of its culture.

[Sasun]

ARMENIAN TRADE INDUSTRIAL HOUSE AND UNION OF ARMENIANS OF RUSSIA TO CREATE WORLD ARMENIAN NET

01.10.2003

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Till the end of October Armenian Trade Industrial House (TIH) and the Union of Armenians of Russia will sign an agreement on creation of the World Armenian trade network, according to TIH chairman Martin Sargsian. In his words, the works for the final formation of the network program and preparation of the documentation are being carried out at present. The delegation of the Union of Armenians of Russia will arrive to Yerevan to sign the paper late October.

[Sasun]

I think this union will work, if not for the benefit of ordinary Armenians, it will work at least for the economic benefit of the businessmen who will be involved in it. Any businessman would be glad to be a part of such a broad network and have such really good connections. The 20% or so "tax" that they will have to pay is well worth the numerous attractive new business opportunities.

[Armen]

http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg75248.html

 

Hayots Ashkarh, Yerevan, in Armenian

11 Oct 03 p 3

 

Nationalist activist does not support new World Armenian Organization

 

 

An Armenian activist has described the newly established World

Armenian Organization as a "negative phenomenon". Eduard Ovanesyan,

director of Hay Dat's (Armenian Cause's) central office, said that

the WAO had neither substance nor form and its goals were unclear.

The WAO's president, Ara Abramyan, would do everything possible to

show that Russia could use Armenians in its own interests, Ovanesyan

said. The WAO would also be seeking to collect "a large part of the

pan-Armenian financial potential". Ovanesyan thought that there was

no real demand for unity amongst the worldwide Armenian diaspora. The

following is the text of Gevorg Arutyunyan's interview with Ovanesyan

as published by Armenian newspaper Hayots Ashkarh on 11 October

entitled "There is no demand to unite"; subheadings have been

inserted editorially:

 

An interview with the director of the central office of Hay Dat,

Eduard Ovanesyan.

 

World Armenian Organization a "negative phenomen"

 

[Hayots Ashkarh correspondent] The constituent assembly of the World

Armenian Organization [WAO] took place recently in Moscow. The

president of the Union of Armenians of Russia, Ara Abramyan, who was

one of the people behind the creation of this organization, was

elected president. What pan-Armenian significance may his

organization have, do you think?

 

[Eduard Ovanesyan] Unfortunately, in this case I cannot say that a

special pan-Armenian structure has been created in order to be useful

to the nation and our independent state. For this reason my

estimation cannot be positive. On the contrary, I think this is a

negative phenomenon. The point is that all publicly important events

may be assessed only by three strict criteria: when the substance of

the event, the form of its introduction and its goal are clear. What

recently took place in Moscow has no substance. When it is not said

at the public or political level what the goal of unification is, it

is not clear and has no substance. Nobody says what the Armenians

from Moscow, Brazil or Lebanon will do when they unite. When there is

no natural and spiritual unity, a declaration of unification for

nothing can give no result. Naturally, if there is no substance, it

cannot have any form. But in this case an attempt is made to

represent national unity by means of a world Armenian structure. This

is an artificially determined form and is evidence of the fact that,

unfortunately, such unification does not exist. Only if it has a

single, united substance, may the nation be represented in a natural

form and structure. The form and substance should correspond to one

other, otherwise the result is curious.

 

This attempt to create a pan-Armenian structure has demonstrated

that, in fact, we do not have a pan-national goal. This is very

dangerous, as the existence of the structure supposes that foreigners

will quickly try to fulfil their goals by means of this structure. We

must not forget that there is the World Jewish Congress, which in

fact is the leader of all the Jews and is much more powerful than the

government of Israel. If we do not take this into account regarding

the structure created by Ara Abramyan, in that case tomorrow our

authorities may be forced to fulfil the demands of this structure.

 

WAO leader under pressure

 

[Correspondent] I think that the absence of a pan-national goal does

not at all mean that Ara Abramyan does not have definite goals. What

goal may the creation of this structure have?

 

[Ovanesyan] As a Moscow and Russian functionary Ara Abramyan is under

triple influence or pressure. First, naturally, is the influence of

Armenian circles and I am sure that Abramyan's relatives understand

very well that Armenian national parties do not treat them kindly.

For this reason, this structure will evidently conduct a policy to

neutralize us.

 

The second source of pressure is Russia and Ara Abramyan will do

everything possible to demonstrate that the Russians can use the

Armenians for Russian interests. In this case, I think

Armenian-Russian friendship will significantly suffer.

 

The third factor of influence is the financial one, as by creation of

a world Armenian structure Ara Abramyan should try to collect a great

part of the pan-Armenian financial potential. For this reason,

foreign or deliberate revenues to his treasury may not be ruled out,

with, naturally, corresponding dictation.

 

No demand for unity

 

[Correspondent] What attempts to create this kind of pan-Armenian

structure have there been before and what were their results?

 

[Ovanesyan] There were only two such attempts. First, in the 1970s

Garbuzyan wanted to create a pan-Armenian congress like the World

Jewish Congress and instead of Mount Zion he presented Ararat and

wanted to form the Armenian Araratists. He lived in the mountains of

Switzerland. We found him, had a talk with him, and saw quite a

senseless man, who was also the leader of a secret anti-Dashnak army.

Then Garbuzyan died and the movement stopped.

 

The second attempt was made by a former Dashnak, Pertch Msryan. His

initiative was called the Restoration Movement. That is, there was a

pan-national goal there, they simply wanted to restore traditional

Dashnaktsutyun. It stopped operating very quickly.

 

[Correspondent] May it be said that there is a public or political

demand for the creation of a world pan-Armenian structure? On the

whole what kind of functions should such a pan-Armenian structure

have?

 

[Ovanesyan] The point is that the essence of the structure should be

determined by the goal of its creation. For example, I think that a

pan-Armenian structure may be created to stimulate repatriation to

the native land. It is clear that this will have numerous other

positive consequences and, as a result, our independent republic may

have economic progress, may develop cultural, social and other

spheres.

 

But unfortunately, I do not see a demand for spiritual unity. Today

each Armenian, every Armenian community, has its own problems. It

turns out that today we are not a single, united nation. There is no

diaspora, which says: "We shall never do this or that, as they are

not in favour of the Armenians."

[ED]

Russia: Putin Plays To Armenian Diaspora, But For What Purpose? By Sophie Lambroschini

 

Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic

Oct 13 2003

 

Russia has been pursuing a more active policy toward Armenia, both in the economic and political spheres. But Russian observers were nevertheless surprised by President Vladimir Putin's appearance at an Armenian diaspora congress last week that chose Moscow as the founding city of a new World Organization of Armenians. RFE/RL looks at the possible reasons behind Putin's efforts to improve relations with one of Russia's largest ethnic communities.

 

Moscow, 13 October 2003 (RFE/RL) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has adopted a new style in his public appearances. He improvises speeches and pops up -- apparently unexpectedly -- at various events.

 

 

But last week, Putin had political commentators in Russia stumped after he appeared at a congress representing some of Armenian's far-flung diaspora. The event was organized by influential millionaire Ara Abramian and launched a new World Organization of Armenians.

 

Welcoming the new organization, Putin expressed "hope that the contribution of the Armenian diaspora will grow and develop in parallel with the Russo-Armenian business partnership." Earlier in the day, Putin had met with visiting Armenian President Robert Kocharian.

 

Carnegie Foundation strategic analyst Dmitry Trenin says Putin's appearance represents the logical reflection of the evolution of ties between Armenia and Russia, both strategic and economic.

 

"The situation in the South Caucasus is going toward increased instability in Georgia and potentially in Azerbaijan. In these conditions, a stable Armenia with good relations with Moscow -- plus the presence of troops on its territory -- has made [Armenia] more valuable in Russia's eye," Trenin said.

 

At the same time, Moscow and Yerevan recently agreed on a debt-for-equities swap scheme to purge Russia's $100 million claim.

 

"Armenian companies are becoming the property of Russia, with Armenia paying back its debt toward Russia in this manner," Trenin says.

 

Russia has gone on what Armenian journalist Haroutiun Khachatrian calls an "acquisition binge" in the South Caucasus in general, but especially in Armenia.

 

Khachatrian wrote in a recent article on EurasiaNet that as a result of two debt-for-equity deals in favor of electricity monopolist UES, Russia holds a 50 percent stake in Armenia's electricity generation capacity. UES also became the financial manager for the Medzamor nuclear power plant, Armenia's prime source of energy.

 

Gazprom and Itera are already key shareholders in Armenia's gas distribution company.

 

One key figure in bringing Russia and Armenia closer could well be Abramian, a leader of Russia's Armenians. According to the Russian newspaper "Niezavisimaya gazeta," Abramian has been a key figure in working out Russian acquisitions in Armenia.

 

Abramian, who started a career in the Soviet military complex before making millions in diamonds, has built a reputation as "Moscow's Armenian." And as head of the Union of Armenians of Russia, Abramian has had considerable success, as he acknowledged to journalists at last week's congress.

 

"We created the Union of Armenians of Russia three years ago and our work didn't go too badly," Abramian said. "We found a mechanism of uniting Armenians [in Russia] because it's difficult to set up such an organization in Russia. Before us, there were 400 organizations, and in the matter of a year, all of them joined the Union of Armenians of Russia."

 

Abramian is reported to enjoy good connections with the Kremlin. According to Abramian's biography posted on the UNESCO web site -- he is an UNESCO goodwill ambassador -- Abramian helped reconstruct the Kremlin in the mid-1990s and was involved in other projects with the Kremlin's property management office, a department Putin was also working for at the time.

 

By attending last week's congress, some observers believe Putin was actually sending a message to the 2.5 million Armenians in Russia, the largest community outside of Armenia. In his speech, Putin quoted a 300-year-old decree by Peter the Great that Armenians "must be most kindly treated and encouraged in every way to come to Russia."

 

"No sooner said than done," Putin quipped.

 

Vladimir Pribylovski, the director of Panorama, a think tank in Moscow, believes Putin is trying to gain points with Russia's ethnic communities ahead of elections.

 

"The Armenian and Jewish lobbies have the most possibilities -- they're really well organized, and so compared to other ethnic communities they have more capacities. And so Putin [chooses] to focus on them," Pribylovski said.

 

Until Putin, few Russian politicians had expressed any interest in the Armenian diaspora.

 

Last year, Putin responded to Armenians' long-standing complaints about discrimination in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, a southern region bordering the North Caucasus and Abkhazia.

 

Historically, Krasnodar leaders have fed on local xenophobia, probably exacerbated by the region's proximity to the war in Chechnya and other unrest. Krasnodar Governor Aleksandr Tkachev has demanded the "deportation" of Armenians and other minority ethnic groups, calling them "undesirable."

 

According to the Russian newspaper "Izvestia," Tkachev was called to the Kremlin for a verbal lashing from Putin, gaining the Russian president praise from Armenian leaders both in Russia and abroad.

 

Armenian journalist Susanna Petrossian, who works with the Noyan Tapan news agency in Yerevan, has still another explanation for Putin's support of the Armenian diaspora.

 

Petrossian argues that Putin may be trying to use Armenians in Russia as a lever on the influential Armenian diaspora abroad to make them push in favor of Russian interests with governments and businesses in the West.

 

"To some extent, Russia may try to get access to Armenian lobbying groups [abroad] through Ara Abramian and the structures that he is setting up. To make things clearer, in the United States, the Armenian lobby -- with its resources and capabilities, and through its influence -- comes in second after the Jewish lobby," Petrossian said.

 

With 1 million Armenians, the United States is home to the world's second-largest Armenian diaspora community.

[Armen]

Russia: Putin Plays To Armenian Diaspora, But For What Purpose? By Sophie Lambroschini

 

Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic

Oct 13 2003

 

"The Armenian and Jewish lobbies have the most possibilities -- they're really well organized, and so compared to other ethnic communities they have more capacities. And so Putin [chooses] to focus on them," Pribylovski said.

 

Petrossian argues that Putin may be trying to use Armenians in Russia as a lever on the influential Armenian diaspora abroad to make them push in favor of Russian interests with governments and businesses in the West.

 

"To some extent, Russia may try to get access to Armenian lobbying groups [abroad] through Ara Abramian and the structures that he is setting up. To make things clearer, in the United States, the Armenian lobby -- with its resources and capabilities, and through its influence -- comes in second after the Jewish lobby," Petrossian said.

Considering Putin's no-nonsense approach in everything he says and does, this initiative is going to have strategic consequences, both good and bad, for Armenians as well as for Armenia. And I'm not sure that Abrahamyan has chosen the correct format for the organisation to serve the needs and represent the interests of Armenians worldwide.

 

I think the right thing to do was to establish a second chamber in the parliament of Armenia with proportional representation and give it an initial status of a consultative institution.

 

Putins move shows that Russians still do not view Armenia as a state.

[Armen]

http://www.azg.am/start.pl?lang=EN&num=2003101504

 

AZG Daily

 

ADL MEMBER WELCOMES WAO CREATION

 

Notable American-Armenian intellectual, member of the Armenian Democratic Liberal (ADL) party Ervand Azatyan participated in the opening congress of the World Armenian Organization (WAO), after which he visited Yerevan. Daily Azg met with the notable public figure and inquired about his impressions about the congress.

 

Mr. Azatyan said that the event was a big political act. “I think in no other country the Armenian community could bring the president to a Armenian congress and keep him there for an hour”,- said Azatyan, adding: “not counting the foreign minister and mayor of Moscow, who also stayed at the congress for one hour”. In Azatyan’s words, the founding of the congress was a great success. The Armenians of Russia, and the personal connections of Ara Abrahamian himself helped the event a lot. Also foreign press like CNN, as well as Russian media covered the event thoroughly, acquainting the international community with the happening. Also, in his opinion, it was strategically correct to hold the congress in Moscow, a location itself covered widely by international press. Mr. Azatyan brought the example of Pope John-Paul II visiting Armenia on the occasion of the 17-th centenary of the Christianity adoption, saying that although Pope is a top figure, his visit was not covered with the extent Armenians had hoped.

 

Regarding the representation of Diaspora in the administrative body of the organization, comprised of 100 people, Azatyan complained that only two of them are from “traditional” Diaspora (meaning America, Europe and Middle East). So 98 members of the administration represent mostly the countries of former USSR. Mr. Azatyan said that Ara Abrahamian could have enrolled more people from American and European Diaspora, so that the new organization really gained international credence.

 

Mr. Azatyan also informed that the party he represents, i.e. ADL, was the only one from Diaspora to partake in the event, with the party’s Central Board members Hagop Vardevaryan and Panik Keshishyan in attendance. Mr. Azatyan had also delivered a speech at the congress in the presence of Presidents Putin and Kocharian.

 

Talking about the goals of the WAO, particularly those that go in line with the ones of American-Armenian community, Azatyan stressed decisiveness of pursuing international recognition of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, and efforts for the settlement of the Karabagh conflict – the two aims that raised the concern of Turkey, and the topics in his own speech that made Turkish Hurriyet daily refer to the speech of Azatyan.

 

Giving an overall opinion on the formation of the WAO, Azatyan said he welcomes it, adding that Russia has always been a devoted guardian of Armenia.

[Sasun]

But unfortunately, I do not see a demand for spiritual unity.

 

This statement is troubling and really unfortunate.

 

I say, give them a chance then we will see. Certainly anyone could be suspicious of political games and interests, etc, nothing that is not common in politics.

As always, there are many critics but not many to actually try to unite Armenians.

[ED]

Armen

 

You might find this very interesting; it's a bit old but still worth reading

 

http://armenianhouse.org/stupishin/article...n/caucasus.html

 

http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2003/04/...42003133642.asp

Edited October 14, 2003 by Edward

[Armat]

Generally when people talk about unity I become suspicious since it is really not natural or healthy. What if that unity is under a mediocre policy based, leaders etc. What we really should push and realize that democratic unity is lot more achievable and desirable. Arguing pro or against issues is healthy. There is no need for every Armenian to be monotonic block nor that is realistic.

[MJ]

I would like to commend Armat for the expression of a yet another sober thought.

 

The concept of unity outside few basic fundamentals is ridiculous and harmful - the less such tenets the more chances of meaningful unity. People, nations and societies are not a herd of cows to unite and march under the chiming sound of a monotonic absurdity broadcasting and perpetuating a heavy burden of failed history.

 

Mature nations manifest unity around the principles of national sovereignty, national security paradigms, democracy and constitution - at least in our days. Outside these few principles (perhaps one may add a couple of more), any healthy society evolves according to the principle of democratic or some other form of meaningful pluralism, which even in the context of dialectic theories of 19-20th centuries is the prerequisite for evolution.

 

In the case of Armenians, the “unity” is one of the most overused clichés lacking serious merit. A simple sociological reflection may unveil the existence of any numbers of “Armenian nations” on the landscape, each of them allegedly manifesting the “real Armenians.”

 

The only thing uniting them is perhaps the memory of a common enemy. Perhaps it comes from the implicit recognition (and the lack of courage to recognize it explicitly) that throughout history Armenians have failed to form a nation, which has become a complex of a kind. Thus the repeated drumbeats of unity…

[Arpa]

If you think "unity" and the lack of it is new phenomenon the let me remind you of Shnorhali's lamentation that goes; Ter voghormia..... Tur ashkharhis khaghaghutyun... AZGIS HAYOTS SER MIUTYUN".

Why was he praying for "unity" a thousand years ago?

We only pray for what we lack.

He was not thanking God for our "unity".

[Sasun]

Generally when people talk about unity I become suspicious since it is really not natural or healthy. What if that unity is under a mediocre policy based, leaders etc. What we really should push and realize that democratic unity is lot more achievable and desirable. Arguing pro or against issues is healthy. There is no need for every Armenian to be monotonic block nor that is realistic.

I can see your point and I agree in the sense that is meant. However, we have something different here. Nobody is forcing anyone to be monolithic. This Ovanesian guy is saying there are no pan-national goals. Abrahamyan has set up specific goals: Artsax, Genocide recognition, diaspora investments in Armenia, economic interests of Diasporans. These are the same goals (except the last one) that Armenia has. Are there any major disagreements among Armenians that these are common goals? I am of the opinion that we mostly agree that these are common goals. Of course, each person, party, organization will suggest different methods, and some may dismiss each or all of these goals. Those who agree can act in a united way and achieve their common goal. That is the way I understand unity for worldwide Armenians. If there are less important disagreements, those can always be settled in a democratic and civilized way. I believe we can only benefit from unity.

 

The other point he is making is worth considering, the point about foreign interference. But that danger can also be compensated if there is a unity between the Armenian gov't and this organization. Kocharian took the politically correct step to go to the congress and not dismiss it entirely. Perhaps this way a dangerous rivalry can be avoided.

[Armen]

Armen

 

You might find this very interesting; it's a bit old but still worth reading

 

http://armenianhouse.org/stupishin/article...n/caucasus.html

 

http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2003/04/...42003133642.asp

Edward,

 

Thanks for the links.

If I'm not mistaken, Stupishin was removed from his post for being pro-Armenian and he is a kind of persona non grata in Azerbaijan (not officially, but still...). And he is also one of the few in Russia, who hold that Armenian-Russain ties must be developed strictly on state to state level.

[MJ]

Received by email:

 

 

 

WHOSE INTERESTS DO ARMENIAN OLIGARCHS SERVE?

 

By Richard Giragosian

 

In the latest sign of the prominent role of the wealthy and well connected in Armenian politics, Russian-based Armenian millionaire businessman Ara Abramian opened a constituent meeting of the World Armenian Organization (WAO) on 6 October in Moscow. With both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian President Robert Kocharian in attendance, the event raises new questions over the role of the Armenian oligarchs.

The new organization established by Abramian, who is also chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia, seeks to "promote national unity, strengthen Armenian statehood, and advocate issues of concern" on behalf of the global Armenian diaspora.

Demonstrating the global nature of the Armenian diaspora, representatives from some 138 communities and organizations from 52 countries attended the Moscow meeting. With over 2.5 million ethnic Armenians, Russia has the largest segment of the worldwide Armenian diaspora. Mirroring the strategic relationship between Armenia and Russia, Russian-Armenians have traditionally enjoyed an influential role in Russian politics that has only been enhanced during the Putin administration. That influence was reflected by President Putin's participation and the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Moscow Mayor Yurii Luzhkov at the congress.

The formation of this ambitious global organization under such high-profile Russian tutelage has a much broader significance, however, with implications well beyond the confines of the Russian-Armenian diaspora. Specifically, the creation of the WAO signals a new phase in the increasingly assertive Russian strategy of "patrimonial power" over its Armenian client state. The utility of this new organization for Russian strategy stems less from its creation but more with its creator.

The impressive display of Russian backing for Abramian and his new organization does not necessarily reflect Moscow's recognition of any real significance of the WAO as such, however. For Moscow, it is by playing the role of pliant tycoon that Abramian can best serve Russian interests in Armenia. The emergence of Abramian as leader of the Russian-Armenian community was clearly no accident, and his current effort to leverage his wealth and ties to the Moscow elite into a broader role within the Armenian diaspora serves both his and his patrons' interests. Despite the facade of the pan-Armenian nationalism, the longer-term goal for both lies in Armenia and not with the Armenian diaspora. In this way, Abramian has emerged as the latest tool for the Russian strategic reassertion of influence and power in the South Caucasus.

To date, this Russian reassertion has been very successful, with substantial gains made throughout the South Caucasus. Putin engineered an important improvement of relations with Azerbaijan over the past two years, repositioning Russia well before the current handover of presidential power in Azerbaijan from Heidar Aliyev to his son Ilham. (President Putin was one of the first foreign leaders to congratulate Ilham Aliyev on his 15 October presidential-election

triumph.) There has also been a substantial increase in pressure on beleaguered Georgia, culminating in the acquisition of the country's energy distribution network by Russia's Unified Energy Systems (EES). And in Armenia, structural dependence on Russia has become so deep that Russia now controls 90 percent of the Armenian energy sector, including management of its sole nuclear-power plant, as well as many of the country's most important strategic enterprises.

Abramian is not, moreover, the first wealthy Moscow-based Armenian to be selected as an instrument of Russian influence. Three years ago, Moscow backed a campaign by Russian-Armenian oligarch Arkadii Vartanian to mobilize Armenian public opinion against President Kocharian at a time when Moscow was simultaneously openly seeking a rapprochement with Baku. Vartanian's campaign culminated in a march by some 10,000 people on the presidential palace in October 2000, which served as the pretext for his arrest. But the affair ended in a covert compromise by the Armenian government with Vartanian quietly returning to Russia.

If ethnic Armenian oligarchs with Russian passports can be coopted by Russia to exert pressure on the Armenian government, the homegrown, native oligarchs pose their own threat to state authority, chiefly through their infiltration of the state apparatus and the manipulation of the country's incipient network of petty corruption.

Even more distressing, these native oligarchs have increased their influence by virtue of their representation in the recently elected Armenian parliament. More than two dozen of the country's most well-known millionaire businessmen, some of them notorious for their ties to the murkier Russian elites and generally known to be supportive of the government, secured seats in the new parliament. Indeed, almost half of all newly elected parliamentarians have links to Armenia's small wealthy economic elite, although most do not share the notorious reputations of the more flamboyant oligarchs.

Ironically, the rise of the native oligarchs in Armenia has not manifested a traditional "competition of elites," but rather in an interesting "cooperation of elites" based on the mutual interests of oligarchs and government. Although this cooperation of elites operates well within the parameters of democratic institutions and practice, it is nevertheless marked by a struggle for control over the country's limited resource base and economic assets. The next stage of Armenia's privatization program could see a competition for resources between the homegrown oligarchs and the holding company Abramian plans to take advantage of investment opportunities in both Russia and Armenia.

In that case, the Armenian leadership could find itself constrained to make major economic concessions to its oligarchs to induce them to acquire assets that would otherwise be snapped up by Abramian's circle of investors.