Or, why some Russian circles speak with Armenia in a threatening language?
After the murder of seven members Avetisyan family in Gyumri, in which the Russian military base soldier Valerie Permyakov is accused, the talks about the anti-Russian sentiments in Armenia have become more. To the point, we have heard such statements either by RA ruling elite, when various government authorities announce that there are some “grant-eating” organizations operating in Armenia that use the chance to receive grants from the West and spread out anti – Russianism in Armenia, or from some Russian experts. For example, Deputy Head of the editorial board of “Vestnik Kavkaza”, also Director General of the Caspian Cooperation Institute Sergey Mikheyev, during the “Nachalo” TV program over “Vesti” radio channel, announced that Armenia’s refusal at the PACE to vote against Russia in January has caused anti-Russian sentiments in Armenia.
Pursuant to “Vestnik Kavkaza”, news reporter Georgy Saralidze reminded that Armenia’s posture is contrary to the status of a strategic partner. Mikheyev associates this sentiment with the murder of 7 family members in Gyumri by a Russian soldier. He believes that Armenia has a very strong anti-Russian lobby. The Russian expert notices also some anti-Russian provocations. In the conversation with “Aravot”, the expert for the Center of “Political and International Studies” Ruben Mehrabyan, on the contrary, considers such opinions a provocation. He mentioned, “They are just provocations in Armenia as such, as well as in Armenia-Russia relations. It can be said that this is the next of such kinds of provocations. And whether it is done maliciously or it is due to domestic stupidity, I will let it to the one who said it.” With regard to the case with Permyakov, the one who provokes the Armenian-Russian relationships in crisis, according to Ruben Mehrabyan, is the Russian side, which refuses to implement the agreement signed by its own hand.
To our question of whether Russia has taken the path of self-justification, Mr. Mehrabyan replied, “Simply Russia has put itself in a place of a popular animal, reading one thing in the agreement, it does the opposite.” To our question of where we failed that along with bearing all Russian whims in silence, moreover, the Russian side threatens us saying that Armenia’s posture is contrary to the status of a strategic partner, Mr. Mehrabyan replied, “It does not contradict to anything, in addition, the Armenian delegation’s voting results at the PACE are not associated with Permyakov. Russia is turning to a pariah state, isolated from civilization, and for the sake of what Armenia should go for isolation, it is not clear. No need to be surprised. There is a good Russian saying that refers to the Kremlin: impudence is the second happiness.”
According to Ruben Mehrabyan, just half a step is made by Armenia, and further steps are ahead, as we are dealing with a criminal state, namely Russia. Ruben Mehrabyan commented, “This is a criminal state, whose leadership must be accountable for its committed crimes against the humanity. God forbid, if Armenia is associated with this country, then we should leave our country a day before to be at least far away from disasters coming from that country. This country is going to collapse, and our main task is that it will not fall on our head. This is the issue of the existence and security of Armenian nation.” Ruben Mehrabyan predicted that the Russian side will still continue talking about provocations, mixing wet with dry, and in this respect, he recalled the famous story about the “dog and caravan”. The anti-Russian propaganda in Armenia is much talked about recently. Mr. Mehrabyan opines that nothing of the kind exists. What exists is a strong negative and deniable attitude against Russian imperialistic and criminal policy.
To our observation that the Armenian government circles voice statements about anti-Russian lobby, Mr. Mehrabyan responded, “This is the continuation of the Kiselyov propaganda. Russians and the Russian peoples are the first victims of the Russian criminal government. The first anti-Russian and Russiophoby is the one who is in favor of Russia’s todays’ policy.”
TATEV HARUTYUNYAN
