ARMENIANS MUST SHOW BALANCED APPROACH IN ISSUE OF RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN RELATIONS, POLITICIAN LEVON MELIK-SHAHNAZARIAN BELIEVES

Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006

YEREVAN, OCTYOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian press presents
the Russian-Georgian relations only with two colours: black and
white: the published articles are of either strictly pro-Russian
and anti-Georgian or strictly pro-Georgian and anti-Russian
character. Politician Levon Melik-Shahnazarian expressed such an
opinion at the October 25 meeting with journalists. In his words,
it is necessary to show in this issue a more balanced approach as
"Georgians will always remain our neighbours and Russia will always
be our strategic ally." In the politician’s opinion, Armenia’s moral
interference in the Russian-Georgian relations must be aimed to calm
them down as much as it is possible, and direct interference must
be limited only by protection of interests of Armenians living in
those two countries. Reminding that the Russian military refuge will
soon be moved from Javakh, L.Melik-Shahnazarian mentioned: "If NATO
member Turkey’s military units are suddenly placed there, then the
Armenian army must be in Javakhk earlier." Otherwise, in his words,
if Armenia does not strive for protecting Armenians living there,
the meaning of its being an independent, sovereign country will be
lost. L.Melik-Shahnazarian emphasized that he does not call on war,
but is sure that as soon as the Turkish army appeares in Javakhk,
danger of war and, consequently, of displacing Armenians from Javakhk,
will arise.