Editorial, 8 December 2013
Armenia’s Russophobe media and Russophile government spokesmen (some would say Putinophobes, Putinophiles) were, as expected, ready with their sharp knives and flowers when Russian President Vladimir Putin made an official visit to Armenia earlier
The pro-Putin group claimed the CU is an economic club where everyone is equal, while the EU is an “asymmetric form of interaction”; the CU is a purely economic alliance, while the EU has a strong political element. They underlined that Armenia would be exporting value-added goods to the CU, while its exports to the EU would be raw commodities. They went on to point out that 82% ($1.4 billion) of remittances to Armenia originated in Russia.
Armenia’s Russophobe media and Russophile government spokesmen (some would say Putinophobes, Putinophiles) were, as expected, ready with their sharp knives and flowers when Russian President Vladimir Putin made an official visit to Armenia earlier
The pro-Putin group claimed the CU is an economic club where everyone is equal, while the EU is an “asymmetric form of interaction”; the CU is a purely economic alliance, while the EU has a strong political element. They underlined that Armenia would be exporting value-added goods to the CU, while its exports to the EU would be raw commodities. They went on to point out that 82% ($1.4 billion) of remittances to Armenia originated in Russia.
The Russophiles also said that Russia would cancel the 35% on oil price to Armenia, and sell gas at $189 per thousand cubic meters from the current $270. Moscow would also sell weapons to Armenia at Russian domestic prices. They mentioned that Russia will provide humanitarian assistance to Armenia, Armenia will work with Russia to build Armenia’s first satellite in three years and bring the once-famous Pyuragan Observatory up to modern standards. Edouard Sharmazanov, a parliamentary vice-speaker and spokesman of the ruling Republican Party, was quoted saying that he appreciated the results of Putin’s visit and that Armenia citizens “will feel positive results of the visit.”
The anti-Putin group, spearheaded by the “Lragir” newspaper, was richer in data. The group said that Putin had refused to fund the Iran-Armenia railway, the North-South Highway, or a new nuclear power plant. Some linked Putin’s lack of support for the last project to his supposed promise to Recep Erdogan so as to get Turkey’s green light for the $20-billion nuclear power plant Russia wants to build in that country. The group also pointed out that Putin did not say whether Russia would intervene in case of Azeri aggression.
Igor Muradyan and Naira Hayrumyan of “Lragir” were perhaps the most vociferous, graphic, and cutting anti-Russia duo. In an article titled “Serzh Sargsyan Prepares Handover of Armenia” (Dec. 3), Muradyan wrote that Armenia’s decision to join the CU will result in the country’s “full voluntary disappearance from global politics… Serzh Sargsyan is preparing the social basis for officially giving up our national sovereignty, as well as ‘handover’ of their own selves by their sympathizers…The CU is a colonization instrument.” He added: “Russia is a dirty ditch full of betrayal and destruction, it drags us into a marsh and there is no sparkle of hope.” He concluded by saying, "… Russians are stating bluntly that they will take under control the normalization of relations of Armenia with Turkey and Azerbaijan.”
Hayrumyan was no less combative. She wrote that Putin’s visit “confirmed the occupation of Armenia and left the gates ajar for the invaders [read Russians] to get in…Serzh Sargsyan gave everything away to Putin…the last 20% of ARG [Armenian Gasprom] shares, oil monopoly, the right to make presidential decisions…”
Barouyr Hayrikyan, the leader of the National Self-Determination party, said that the entry to the Customs Union is the most humiliating step in Armenia’s history. He added that “semi-democratic Armenia will become a dictator country like the other CU member states.” Some critics also dug up the 1895 quote by the foreign minister of tsarist Russia who said that Russia wanted an Armenia without Armenians. Meanwhile there were rumors that imperial Putin wanted to rename Gyumri Alexandrapol, after one of the tsars.
The painful fact is the comments and speculations of the Russophiles and Russophobes are fact-based, although that of the anti-group are drenched in emotion. Armenia will receive the benefits the pro-group foresees, but it will also become less of a sovereign state. Its economy and its foreign policy will be decided in Moscow. Tiny Armenia could become a colony of Moscow, especially now that Russia has more than a million “hostage” Armenians.
However, the critics inexplicably ignore Mazlow’s Pyramid or the theory of hierarchy of needs. Accordingly, the most fundamental human need is security of body and health. This fact applies to nation as well. Armenia is threatened by the Turkbeijan duo. To guarantee its survival, Armenia needs the military support of Russia. America will not send its marines to rescue Armenia; Europe has no army to deliver Armenia.
Why are we in this existential dilemma?
The first reason we are in this vise is because of the implacable hostility of the Turks in our east and west. The blockade has isolated us in more ways than economically. The Azeri military threats have forced Armenia to spend on its military money it can’t afford.
The second reason is to be found in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”: “The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars, but in ourselves.”
Since independence, we’ve had three governments. All three have been corrupt, incompetent or both. Under Der-Bedrossian, Kocharian and Sargsyan we watched Armenia become supine, frail, disillusioned, mismanaged, impoverished…and shrink from a population of 3.5 million to slightly more than 2 million. The above reasons have also resulted in disillusionment in the Diaspora.
We should not blame Putin for our sorry state. He is the leader of a foreign country with an imperial past and dreams of a new empire. His job is to look after the interests of Russia, not of Armenia. If he takes advantage of our weakness, it was Armenia’s responsibility not to place itself in this vulnerable state. In the words of Kurken Arsenyan, chairman of the United Workers’ Party and member of the Prosperous Armenia parliamentary group: “Putin didn’t arrive [in Armenia] to protect our national interests. The Armenian side must protect our national interests.”
What’s the point of boasting that we have lasted for at least 4,500 years (while empires around us have bitten the dust)? What’s the point in having an independent state when we are seemingly incapable of managing it? Will Serzh Sargsyan be the grim steward who will oversee Russia’s colonization of Armenia? Do the people of Armenia, now drowning in misery, have the ability to salvage our homeland or is it too late?
The Diaspora can’t solve Armenia’s problem.
The Armenian government has shown no inclination to lift Armenia from the mire.
The citizens of Armenia are the only party which has a chance to put the country on the right tract. This admittedly is expecting too much from a demoralized, disillusioned, impoverished, and shrunken populace. Unfortunately, for all of us, there is no other positive change maker in sight.
5 comments
Russophilia
The future of Armenian history can be seen through the binoculars of its past. Nowadays we easily conclude that we have had a little surge in our path for which we were not fully prepared. The same history has its iconic figures of betrayer Vasak Siunis at every interval. This extreme sense of waiting something bad to happen is perhaps ingrained in our character as a result of the harsh geography Armenia occupies. During every crisis, the spirit of the nation has awakened and rebutted against all odds. Just to name a few: Avarayr; Sartarabad; Gharakilise; Artsakh and other vivid examples.
At the present, the question seems to be: "When will we press our parachute trigger?"
We, Armenians, must come out of this futile cycle if we want to be reckoned.
Ukraine vs Armenia
If Ukraine, physically attached to Europe with borders open on all sides and with far bigger resources than Armenia had to pull out of the EU, pragmatically how can we not align with the North? Whether we like it or not.
Editorial Hit the Nail
The editorial hit the nail on the head. We must figure out a way to govern ourselves well AND be a strong Russian ally. Those who consider those two mutually exclusive are accepting the current situation, which is fatal.
Many Points
The editorial raises many points. Answering all, one by one, requires space. I wrote about it in Armenian and emailed to over a hundred friends and foes. Here's my response in precis:
1- Armenia should have the right–as we proclaim it–to be an independent state/nation to form part of with CU and EU. Even with two more like the U.S and Iran.
2- To achieve the above (we know we are not that powerful and are sandwiched between Turkey and little brother Axerbeijan). Thence, it behooves the RoA to affect a diplomatic/politically motivated change in structures. I have suggested that the National Assembly pass a law for the creation of a higher chamber, namely, a ¨s e n a t e¨ of people such as Baruyr Hairikian and a dozen more from the opposition camp.
3- Change the constitution. Amend it to have a vice-president. Let the majority elect one or have the post rotate annually among able and patriotic people.
4- Change the structure of the government.
5- Pass law so that people who have served in the army for two years return every year to military barracks for a month of new training (new arms knowledge, etc.) and carry home a rifle of the latest production (like the Swiss do). This curbs the fear among those weaklings so that even if Turkey and Axerbeijan raided us, we can fight door-to-door, causing as many Turkbeijani deaths, before being killed. Some ignore that we have military pacts with Greece and Iran. I hope we strike one with Georgia, too.
So all is not that dark and lost. Get a move on the Diaspora to re-organize and be a "Li irav"(full-fledged) partner to the RoA/Artsakh.
Perfect analysisThree
Perfect analysis.
Three presidents and indeed very bad presidents who have squandered the riches of the country and left it desolate.
In fact, we were in much better cohesion during the peak of Artsakh war. Russia is playing a good game and has almost full control over the situation and in fact does not want peace anymore. As Russia is selling weapons to both sides and is instigating both sides.
The situation is destined to get worse over time and I would like to see the pigs in Yerevan what will be their position when the population hits 1.5 million.
However, it seems yet again that the politicians in Yerevan are passive to the events that surround them and do not want to move a muscle to shake the decisions around them.
Two things might alter the course, War with Azebaijan and the creation of Kurdistan.
War, unfortunately has united us more than anyone or anything else. War can possibly bring a new elite that will counteract the power of the oligarchs in yerevan and overthrow them. The next war will be bloody and will be demanding; however, it will rebalance a lot of cards on the table and might even change things for russia if we fight it wisely. The war will create new heroes who will ask for concessions from yerevan in compromise for stability.
This will be good as the so cold opposition is nothing but another corrupt state. Having said that the risk of a military coup is not far from impossible but will be a reality in the next 5 years coming.
Our second exit strategy will be the creation of the Kurdish state right next to us. This will open routes to the south and create more job opportunities and more room to breathe. However, yet again the armenians are sitting like idiots waiting with no initiatives to help the kurds. (yes help the kurds despite all the massacres they have committed)
It has been a disastrous campaign by the yerevantsis in trying to attract armenian capital, expertise or any form of diaspora assistance. In recent years we are hearing that even Hayastan All Armenian Fund is not even impregnable.
This lack of trust and lack of respect will eventually boil down to a very nasty civil war that will see so much bloodshed that we might not even exist anymore as a state if things do not change in the forthcoming three to five years. In recent years we have not been able to populate the areas that we annexed back from the turks due to corruption and lack of insight.
Having said all that, if the Yerevantsis are relying too much on Russia, they have to think twice, as there is no appetite for war in any russian camp or brigade as the russians are relying on us as much as we are relying on them to keep the peace and keep the war zones calm and reasonably quiet.
We as diasporans are destined at the moment to help the relocated syrians as they are the ONLY injection of hope to that God Forsaken land, maybe, only maybe, the pigs (oligarchs of yerevan) might learn a few things and start assesing the situation more pragmatically.
May God Help The Armenians
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