Armenian opposition paper angry over “humiliating” Russian attitude

Aravot, Yerevan
20 May 05

Text of Tigran Avetisyan report by Armenian newspaper Aravot on 20
May headlined “Worse than outpost”

The statement by the speaker of the Russian Federation State Duma,
Boris Gryzlov, saying that Armenia has recently turned into an
“outpost” of Russia has made many proud and all normal citizens of
Armenia angry about this humiliating attitude.

At present, Armenia may be considered to be not only an outpost but
also a recipient of Moscow’s military rubbish [obsolete equipment]. The
chief of the Russian General Staff, Army Gen Yuriy Baluyevskiy,
said on Thursday [19 May] that part of the Russian military hardware
deployed in Georgia will be stationed in Armenia. “This will allow us
to adjust the timetable for the withdrawal of the bases from Georgia
to four years,” he clarified.

As you can see, Russia is doing to Armenia, in this case to its
territory, what it likes. Nobody from the Armenian elite says anything
and there is nothing strange about this. Moscow treats Yerevan just
like the Armenian authorities treat the population. There is nothing
strange in this. Putting Armenian territory at Russia’s disposal is
the price that the Armenian authorities have to pay to the Kremlin
for being loyal to it.

All this is so humiliating against a backdrop of the latest events
in the region. Georgia, as you see, is doing everything to force
Moscow to withdraw its military bases from the country as soon as
possible. Tbilisi was not at all frightened by the strong threats by
Russian high-ranking officials made in the State Duma. [Georgian
President] Saakashvili’s administration, with US support, is
gradually implementing its plan for the withdrawal of the Russian
military bases. The result is evident: Moscow has already agreed to
a four-year term.

And the deadline will be met at the expense of Armenia’s political
reputation.