The Radio France Internationale reporter presents her observations regarding the incident in Brussels
“Several days ago, France and Belgium were celebrating their victory together; Salah Abdul Salam suspected in terrorism in November in Paris is arrested. This information was spread rapidly. It seems to me that this operation has accelerated the terrorist act in Brussels. This kind of terrorist attacks are prepared in advance and in a long time but we can assume that it was prepared for a long time, simply Salah Abdul Salam’s detention operation accelerated it,” said a reporter of Radio France Internationale who covers international news, Yelena Gabrielyan, in an interview with “Aravot”, presenting her observations regarding the terrorist attack a few days ago in Brussels.
“In fact, Europe arrested the attacker who was hiding under the nose of the police for four months. This man was detained and four days later, the terrorist attack occurs which although happen in the same way as in Paris but we, however, saw the same handwriting. It was the same terrorist organization, even the same logic,” says Yelena Gabrielyan. She notes that even though an army was centralized in Brussels to ensure the citizens’ security, nevertheless, the terrorists were able to accomplish the goals set for them, “It seems that their message was that despite the threats of terrorist operations, we are ready to make a new attack on the capital of Europe. And this attack was directed not only to Belgium but also to the very European Union.”
Yelena Gabrielyan opines that the second message of the terrorists is that they, the jihadists, just want to go to war with Europe, “We talk a lot about the terrorists in the Middle East that the radical terrorist groups rule different regions of Iraq and Syria but the logic of the terrorism here, in my opinion, is differed of that in Europe. I think that the terrorists want to start a war in Europe. I think that the terrorists want to destabilize Europe via terrorism and to “institute” a war here. Today, the war scares Europe, as this war should be answered somehow. With war or not, in my opinion, Europe is not so ready, and is also not ready to acknowledge and effectively respond to the challenges sent to them,” said our interlocutor, noting that although many associate the terrorist acts in the Middle East with those in Europe, he does not agree with it. “I do not see so much close connection. What is going on in the Middle East is a result of armed conflict while what is going on in the territory of Europe is a European Jihadism because the terrorists who had organized these attacks in Paris and Belgium, they are the citizens of those countries. They are buying or somehow acquiring a weapon again from Europe and the logic of activities is also European,” says Yelena Gabrielyan.
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The series of terrorist attacks in Brussels was aimed at Belgium, the European Union and NATO as their governmental bodies are also located in Brussels, on the other hand, any act of terrorism steps the country’s economy back. “We know that the victims of terrorism were not the deputies of the Council of Europe or the employees but the citizens of Belgium or Europe. However, the terrorism in the subway that was close to the buildings of these organizations proves that it had a political orientation. I must also add that the terrorist attack at the airport is the reminiscent of “Al-Qaeda”, namely Bin Laden, – says Yelena Gabrielyan and notes that the abovementioned international institutions should give adequate responses to the terrorists, – I think that Europe should formulate a common position with NATO and give a strict response to the terrorists, which should be a long-term policy.”
The journalist covering international news, in the context of these events, does not consider the visits of the US Secretary of State John Kerry to Moscow and Belgium accidental, “I think that these meetings are going to be important in the fight against international terrorism.” Yelena Bagrinelyan also notes that now Europe is in a difficult situation due to migration crisis and the economic problems in Greece. “I think that Europe now looks like a sinking ship in an open sea. What to do? I think Europe does not find the answer. And it is sad that now Europe cannot answer it with one voice,” says our interlocutor. Referring to the statements of Russia and Turkey pertaining to the incidents in Brussels, which were more accusatory than sympathetic, our interlocutor notes that these countries have always sought to present their importance and to act in the role of willing to cooperate.
In the case of Turkey, the EU seems to have accepted the “helping hand” but Russia’s statement that Europe is to blame for the created situation as it distinguishes between “good and bad terrorists”, Europe seems not to have paid much attention. “The European Union has paid no particular attention to those statements. I think Europe is more sensitive to the calls of solidarity and assistance rather than the statements that give lessons that we are warning you and so on.” Our interlocutor noticed that Russia after withdrawing its troops from Syria is trying to raise its role in the geopolitical developments and enter into negotiations with superpowers, as the penalties associated with the issue of Ukraine continues to weaken its economy. Yelena Gabrielyan believes that the problem of the Middle East can be resolved with diplomacy, organizing a new format conference with the superpowers dedicating it to incidents in the region, “They must find an international solution to this regional problem,” says Yelena Gabrielyan.
Referring to Armenia’s involvement in the aforementioned geopolitical events, she noted that Armenia’s role should not be underestimated. Armenia is a member of security ensuring organization, the OSCE, in additions, Armenia also has still unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, “On the other hand, we should not ignore the fact that as of today, Russia and Turkey are involved in the Syrian issue and to say the least, are in conflict with each other. I also remember Armenia’s defense minister’s statement in Russia that Armenia will not be neutral in case of escalation of the conflict between Russia and Turkey. I think that the small Caucasus republic that has still an unresolved conflict with its neighboring state, entering into the conflict with two huge regional superpowers, may encounter negative consequences. I am not a security expert but I think that this was not necessary for Armenia. Armenia needs to have a neutral position in this case.”
Hripsime HOVHANNISYAN,
“Aravot” daily
