ARMENIAN POLITICIANS DISPLAY THEMSELVES THEIR TRUE WORTH IN RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN CONFLICT, ALEXANDER ISKANDARIAN BELIEVES

Noyan Tapan
Dec 26 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. Worsening of relations among Russia
and other CIS countries, as a result, negatively influence on Armenia
as a rule.

Alexander Iskandarian, the Caucasus Media Institute Director,
politician expressed such a confidence at the December 26 meeting
with journalists. In his words, straining of the Rusian-Georgian
relations was not an exclusion, either.

Russia, using the gas factor, breaking off the communication with
Georgia, simply "forgot about Armenia" and ignored interests of
Armenia. A.Iskandarian mentioned that Armenian politicians and
statesmen displayed themselves their true worth, stating that they
will not lead a partial policy in the Russian-Georgian conflict:
worsening of the relations with Georgia would be too dangerous for
Armenia, and Russia has been and remains the strategic partner of
Armenia. "It is difficult to say for me which is the out-post in
the Armenia-Russia relations: if Russia more needs Armenia, or the
opposite," he mentioned.

In A.Iskandarian’s words, Russia and Armenia are not able yet
to relate as two independent countries as only 15 years passed
after the USSR fall, and the Armenian people’s psychology did not
change. The politician added that today as well the Russian culture
has irreplaceable meaning for Armenians. "I know speak in Russian,
and all the Armenians understand me. But if I spoke in Persian,
almost nobody would understand, whereas Armenians had not been under
the power of Persia less than of Russia," the Caucasus Media Institute
Director mentioned.