LOGISTIC ILLUSIONS, OR ARMENIA’S DESIRE TO ACCESS EUROPEAN CORRIDOR

Today
56939.html
Oct 26 2009
Azerbaijan

Euphoria of the Armenian authorities in connection with swift opening
of borders with Turkey seems to pass to a stage of delusion, when
a person – but in this case a group of persons – turns out unable
to clearly assess the situation. They do not realize that today
Turkey has gained enormous weight in the region and it may influence
situation in the region, depending on certain circumstances. It will
be so difficult for Armenia to benefit from it…

The strong desire to receive definite dividends from the situation
while it is possible, actually, prompted the Armenia leader to agree
to sign protocols with Turkey to establish diplomatic relations as
soon as possible. Yet it is difficult to say unambiguously what the
initial motives were. More likely, a group of factors; including
a desire to get rid of the Diaspora’s influence without a fear of
losing its financial handouts and to get rid of the influence of its
former boss, ex-President Robert Kocharian.

The euphoria has turned Serzhik and Co.’s head to an extent that
he does not hear or stubbornly unwilling to hear the words of Gul
and Erdogan, who almost every day reiterate that will never betray
Azerbaijan’s interests and it is impossible to normalize ties with
Armenia without a parallel resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Serzhik does not listen to those who tell him about it within his
country. Even the Dashnaks are tired of saying that let Serzhik not
to rejoice prematurely, because the processes will flow simultaneously.

Instead, his people organize a news conference of Director General
of South Caucasus Railways JSC Shovket Shaidullin. They approve and
contribute to it, even though not openly.

So, namely Shaidullin is well-remembered for a number of contradictory
statements. The most interesting is that all his so-called "statements"
were based solely on assumptions.

Now judge for yourself. He announced the Akhuryan station will be
opened on the Armenian-Turkish border in near future or to be exact
in a month. He said, "After the ratification of protocols signed in
Zurich between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Turkey, we will
hold a respective meeting with Turkey, whose results will be taken
as basis to design conditions for the railway." Thus, Shaidullin
admits that, in fact, nothing has been cleared up yet, nothing has
been negotiated and the news conference in whole makes no sense.

At the same, he suddenly passes from purely economic claims to
political claims. Shaidullin states that the main task is not only to
open the Akhuryan station, "the key objective is to enter correctly
the European corridor, the Caucasus and Asia, which could enable
Armenia to become a part of an international logistics center."

Too pompous words, aren’t they?

Actually it would not right to blame Shaidullin for something. South
Caucasus Railways is a 100-percent subsidiary of Russian Railways
OJSC. Armenian Railway CJSC was given to management of the South
Caucasus Railways under a concession contract signed on Feb. 13, 2008.

Term of the contract is 30 years with a right of extension for another
10 years. Thus Shaidullin is directly interested in opening from both
an economic viewpoint and Russia’s strategic interests. The interests
are purely of economic nature.

However, under the instruction of "top" circles, his speech was
replicated and introduced as recognition of some kind of victory,
to be correct Armenia’s coming out of the blockade.

Serzhik and Co. was not even disturbed by Shaidullin’s statement
that once the border is opened, there will be a need to create a
new format of relations, as SCR works with CIS member-states and,
in particular with Georgia, in the so-called "CIS format", whilst
another mode should be chosen for work with Turkey.

SCR general director also added that since Turkey is party to the
Convention on the Railway Transport (CRT), Armenia will have to join
it as part of SCR.

Meanwhile, independent experts also hint the same, unanimously stating
that even if the opening of borders will take place today, that does
not mean that Armenia will become a kind guide, a link between East
and West tomorrow. It requires taking a lot of decisions, signing a
pile of papers, and above all consult with the world powers, which are
unlikely to agree to worsening of relations with a far more powerful,
influential and useful Azerbaijan.

So, Serzh Sargsyan, relax and do not strain prematurely. It may
undermine your health …

Finally, just for background information: the Akhuryan station is
called by name of the river with the same name, the historical name
of which is Arpachay. Never forget it …