"WE NEED TO ALLEVIATE CONFLICTS" INTERVIEW WITH SERZH SARGSYAN
Der Standard
Aug 23 2008
Austria
[Bernath] "Be friendly to Russia and do not look too much to the West"
– is that the lesson Russia wanted to teach the Caucasus countries
with this war?
[Sargsyan] A look at the history of Armenia shows that the two
countries have never been forced to be friends. It goes without saying
that no one can be forced to make friends, let alone to maintain
friendships. I do not want to speak for other countries, but at least
Armenia is very open, frank, and stable in its relations with Russia.
Let me also stress that our strategic partnership with Russia has never
been an obstacle to expanding our good cooperation to other states
inside and outside the region and to international organizations. The
broad range of joint programmes with the EU and NATO that are
continuously ongoing, the increasingly developing relations with
European states, the United States, and Iran are proof of this.
[Bernath] It is not the first time that Armenia is affected by the
consequences of a crisis between Georgia and Russia. What is your
advice to your partners in Georgia as to how to deal with Russia?
[Sargsyan] It would be inappropriate to give advice. The policy we have
developed over the past few years is based on the principle that small
powers in our highly sensitive region should really do everything
they can to alleviate potential conflicts between the superpowers
rather than aggravate them. It is easy to make short-term profits in
a region by making use of the conflicts between the large powers. On
the other hand, it is worth the effort, albeit more difficult, to
seek open cooperation in the area of common interests. Even when
considering all the challenges we are faced with and that we have to
meet today, it does not make sense to draw new dividing lines and to
form artificial ideological camps.
[Bernath] An important Russian military base is located in Armenia. Is
Russian predominance in South Caucasus good for Armenia?
[Sargsyan] Sovereignty, which is important, is as beneficial to
Armenia as it is to every other state. Today, sovereignty requires
participation in efficient international and regional security
agreements. In this respect, Armenia has decided to join the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO, the military organization of
the Community of Independent States, CIS, note). The basic tool of
the organization is that a military attack on another member state
is regarded as an attack on all. I think that today, military bases
are a symbol of efficient cooperation rather than predominance.
[Bernath] What conclusions do you draw from the military intervention
in Georgia for Nagornyy Karabakh, another so-called "frozen conflict?"
[Sargsyan] The tragic events in South Ossetia confirm that every
attempt in South Caucasus to look for a military answer in the struggle
for the right to self-determination has far-reaching military and
geopolitical consequences. The latest incidents have shown the real
threat posed by the arms race, unjustified increases of the military
budget, and aggressive rhetoric in South Caucasus. However, the events
have also shown that the solution to similar conflicts should be
based on the principle of the free expression of will of the people
struggling for self-determination, and that solutions should be the
result of this will. Other approaches will inevitably lead to "ethnic
cleansing" and the violation of international humanitarian laws.
[Bernath] Turkey has never really responded to Armenia’s offer to
start diplomatic relations without putting forward conditions. Now
you even invited the Turkish president to Yerevan. What makes you
think that there is an increasing readiness for dialogue among the
Turkish leaders?
[Sargsyan] We are ready to start relations with Turkey without any
preconditions. Armenia has always felt committed to this political
line. Today, we are facing a political situation where no one is
winning, but, on the contrary, many are losing. I am convinced that
the continuing rivalry does not make sense and is unnecessary. A
few days ago, my Turkish counterpart stated that Turkey did not have
any enemies in the region. In order to suit the action to the word,
concrete steps for normalization should be taken.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
