FRIEND OR PARTNER?
By Ruben Hayrapetian, Moscow

AZG Armenian Daily
07/06/2007

Recently publications about Armenia in the Russian press became
quite frequent. Most of the materials come immediately from Yerevan,
Armenia, where the major Russian newspapers have re-established
their representations.

Nevertheless the most interesting articles are those written by Russian
authors, with their objective and subjective points of view. Lately
"Vremya Novostey" (News Time) published an article by Yuri Soukhov,
who visited Armenia and Karabakh and wrote down all that he had seen
and heard.

The article is most focused on Armenian-Russian strategic
partnership. Soukhov, having spoken to numerous politicians, social
workers and statesmen both in Armenia and Karabakh during his trip,
came to conclusion that Armenia, still remaining the "last ally and
number one partner" of Russia, has problem of misunderstanding the
Russian policy. One thing that Armenians are most curious is about
how can Russia give a "gift" of $6 billion to Iraq while being so
strict with the Armenian debt of only $100 thousand.

Soukhov also points out that Armenians doubt whether the Russian armed
forces deployed in Armenia will defend the country of their location
in case of military conflict.

During his journey to Karabakh ("Karabakh is just another Armenia,"
he notes), Soukhov came to conclusion that there the life conditions
are much better than in many Post-Soviet "independent" states.

Armenians of Karabakh for the most part rue that Russia is often
standing back from defending the interests of Armenia and Karabakh
for the sake of preserving political domination over Armenia and
Azerbaijan.

Analusing the inner political situation in Armenia, Soukhov said that
the parliamentary elections were good for Russia. He agrees with
the most of Armenian political scientists that the opportunity of
"colored revolution" is excessively low in Armenia, but admits that
the Armenians may shift to European orientation by slow "evolution".