SERZH SARGSYAN: ATTEMPTS TO RESIST WITH ARMED FORCES IN A STRUGGLE FOR RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION ARE FRAUGHT WITH SERIOUS MILITARY AND GEOPOLITICAL CONSEQUENCES
Noyan Tapan
Au g 25, 2008
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. An interview of Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan was published in the August 23 issue of Der Standard
daily. Below is the full text of the interview.
Question: "Be a friend with Russia and do not become a close friend
with the West," wasn’t it a lesson that Moscow taught the South
Caucasian countries by invading Georgia?
Answer: If we look at Armenia’s history, we will see that friendship
with Russia has never been a compulsory measure for Armenia. Needless
to say that one never makes friends, let alone – keeps friends by
force. I wouldn’t like to speak for other countries, but at least
Armenia is extremely open, sincere and consistent in its relations with
Russia. Moreover, I can tell you that our strategic partnership with
Russia has never prevented us from establishing normal and efficient
cooperation with other countries in the region and outside it and
with international organizations. This is evident from out joint
programs with the EU and NATO and dynamically developing relations
with European countries, the U.S. and Iran.
Q: It is not for the first time that Armenia perceives a serious
impact of a Russian-Georgian crisis. What would you advise your
Georgian partners concerning their relations with Russia?
A: To give advice is an ungrateful task. In recent years the pivot
of our policy has been that in our extremely sensitive region, small
states must do their best in order to reduce rather than strain the
possible contradictions between superpowers. It is quite easy to
derive short-term benefits from contradictions that regularly arise
in each region between great powers. It is much more difficult but
also much more useful to try to cooperate sincerely in a field of
common interests. Taking into account all the challenges we have to
face, it is senseless to create new dividing lines and artificial
ideological camps.
Q: An important Russian miliary base is stationed in Armenia. Does
Armenia benefit from Russia’s hegemony in the South Caucasus?
A: Like any other state, Armenia benefits from sovereignty. In our era,
this sovereignty also includes participation in efficient international
and regional systems of security. In this respect Armenia has made
a decision to join the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The
fundamental document of this organization envisages that an attack
on one of the member states means an attack on all of them. I think
that today military bases are a symbol of efficient cooperation rather
than hegemony.
Q: What conclusions can be made from the invasion of Georgia – for
another "frozen conflict", the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
A: The tragic events in South Ossetia showed that in the South
Caucasus, attemps to resist with armed forces in a struggle for the
right of self-determination are fraught with serious military and
geopolitical consequences. The recent developments clearly demonstrated
the real danger of an arms race, unfounded increases in the military
budget and bellicose statements in the South Caucasus. At the same time
these developments proved that a free will of the people struggling
for its self-determination should form the basis of settlement of such
conflicts and the solutions should be based on such a will because
the opposite approaches will inevitably result in ethnic cleansing
and violation of international humanitarian law. These events once
again releaved the importance of efficient operation of the regional
infrastructures, highways, transport nodes and pipelines, as well
as ensuring their altrenativeness and formation of most extensive
networks.
Q: In fact, Turkey has never responded to Armenia’s proposal to
establish diplomatic relations without preconditions. Now you even
invite the Turkish president to Armenia. What makes you assume that
the leadership of Turkey is more open for dialog?
A: Today we are ready to establish relations with Turkey without
preconditions. In general, Armenia has always been faithful to the
political course it announced. Today there is a situation in our
relations, from which no one benefits, quite the opposite, many
suffer. I am sure that there is no sense in and necessity for being
constant adversaries, it is evident that the problem of regulating our
relations has matured and this step will be mutually beneficial both
for the Armenian and Turkish societies. If you remember, Turkish Prime
Minister Erdogan said months ago that in this period the doors are open
for a new dialog. I am sure that if there is a desire, we can have such
a dialog, and a visit of President Gul to Armenia will strengthen these
positive tendencies. A few days ago my Turkish counterpart stated that
Turkey has no enemies in the region. I am convinced that a practical
stipulation of this statement will be tangible steps on regulation
of the relations and these steps may give real results. We may have
various problems but we will not be able to solve them if we do not
speak to each other at a level appropriate for civilized states and
if there are no proper political relations between our countries.