Neither overly warming nor escalation of relations between Russia and Turkey is suitable for Armenia
As you know, last week, leaders of the “Fair Russia” political party, Sergey Mironov and Nikolay Levichev, introduced a bill to the State Duma regarding the accountability for recognition of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915-1922. Russia’s Union of Armenians has supported the bill on criminal responsibility for the denial of the Armenian Genocide, as Russian news agencies report, “The Union of Armenians of Russia” have requested the Speaker of the State Duma and the leaders of four factions of Duma to support the adoption of the said document. “The Union of Armenians of Russia” fully supports the adoption of the bill, which considers necessary for strengthening Russia’s security and calls on you to defend this vital legislative initiative,” says the President of the Union of Armenians of Russia, Ara Abrahamyan, in his message.
A. Abrahamyan is convinced that the adoption of such a document in Russia would create systemic and serious mechanisms against falsification and distortion of historical facts. He proves that the disinformation disseminated via corrupted journalists, bloggers, “experts” and government officials enable to not only mislead the citizens of Russia but also desecrate the memory of the victims. A. Abrahamyan also expressed gratitude to Russia for displaying objective and consistent stance on Armenian Genocide issue. The “bait” (criminal accountability for denial of the Armenian Genocide) thrown by the Russian propaganda after the escalation of Russia-Turkey relations did not meet with the positive response in Armenia which was expected in Russia.
The enhancement of relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey over the years, the military agreements signed with Azerbaijan since 2007 on the sale of weapons, the CSTO’s “closing an eye” to the encroachments by Azerbaijan against Armenia’s borders, Russia’s serious cooperation with Turkey in all spheres have left justified “residue” in our society towards Armenia’s “strategic” ally. After the shot down of the Russian “Su-24” warplane, the awakened cheap and apparently insulted gesture in Russia about the criminal responsibility for denial of the Armenian Genocide, it became clear to everyone that this moment was a step for the Kremlin, which should not be treated seriously, as Zhirinovsky is no longer treated seriously in Russia.
It was also expected that Russia’s cheap gesture instead of being estimated as a step against our national dignity was the next opportunity for Russia-based Ara Abrahamyan to express thanks to Russia. Any country, based on the level of its adopted global values, will decide on its own for the adoption of the law on recognizing the Armenian Genocide and the criminal responsibility for denial of the Armenian Genocide. Ara Abrahamian would hardly realize that Russia would mostly lose from Russia’s sharp criticism addressed to Turkey and the implemented sanctions, and these steps are temporary. Russia and Turkey, guided by their own interests, sooner or later, will smooth down the relations, which, to the point, also stems from the interests of Armenia, while those in Russia who are excited for the escalation on criminal responsibility for the denial of the Armenian Genocide will find out one day that no one in Russia is any longer interested in it.
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But if this issue actually becomes an agenda in Russia one day, it will not be implemented as a result of downing Russian warplane or after any other steps to “hit on the nose” of Turkey, it should be done knowingly and persuasively. It should be noted that quite a difficult situation is created for the authorities of Armenia. Neither overly warming nor escalation of relations between Russia and Turkey is suitable for Armenia. In this situation, Yerevan officially should display a possibly cool approach, not to allowing the problems related to Armenia be speculated for “settling accounts” in the Russian-Turkish relations. The more neutral is the society and the authorities in Armenia, the more Russia’s moves to make Armenia a new target will have no basis.
Turkey and Russia can currently compel Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to choose whom he is more devoted ally: the big brother Turkey or warm and reliable partner Russia. Under this situation, the President of Azerbaijan can not be envied because the deterioration of the relations of two close countries: Turkey and Russia, perhaps, the Aliyev regime has appeared in the worst situation. No tough confrontation should be allowed in Russia-Turkey relations to avoid new problems in the region. It will be the most dangerous scenario for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
EMMA GABRIELYAN,
“Aravot” Daily
