LAWMAKER SAYS ARMENIA WILL NEVER STAND AGAINST GEORGIA, AS RUSSIA WANTS

Armenpress
Oct 19 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 19, ARMENPRESS: A veteran Armenian politician,
Vazgen Manukian, chairman of once very influential National Democratic
Union (NDU), before it split into several minor parties, said today
the deteriorating Russian-Georgian relations are stirring up more
sentiments than the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

"Russia’s unprecedented crackdown on Georgia is being reflected on all
residents of the South Caucasus. It is absurd to think that Armenia
will stand next to Russia and against Georgia. Russians are mistaken
thinking that Armenians morally owe them. Our relations with Russia
must be equal, irrespective of our countries’ size,’ Manukian said.

He said many elements of Georgia’s foreign policy are not in Armenia’s
liking, but despite it ‘we have lived with Georgians side by side for
millennia and it is our destiny to continue to live as good neighbors.’
Manukian said he was in favor of building close relations with NATO,
but spoke against Armenia’s membership in the Alliance. "We have to
pursue a balanced policy with Russia, Iran and Turkey, but I do not
think that we can be in the same military bloc with Turkey."

Manukian also spoke about domestic developments lamenting that the
opposition has become weak, with no finances and resources and unable
to pose as an alternative to the regime.