Recently, the Russian gas price increase is not only talked about in Armenia media, but also in world media. True, the media mainly focuses on Ukraine, but Armenia has also been talked about in some newspapers. Since everybody is criticizing Russia, this means that they don’t understand us, sometimes criticize us and sometimes offend us.
In the article entitled “Russian Gas-lessons for Europe” printed in the Swiss “LE TEMPS” newspaper, the author is of the opinion that Russia is taking advantage of the gas price increase to have an influence on the post-Soviet countries in the region, however, he believes that that will have negative consequences for Russia. Among many arguments, the author emphasizes the fact that Russia’s reputation as a trustworthy ally went down.
“Russia lowered its reputation of 40 years as the trustworthy exporter with this one act,” said the journalist.
The French “LIBERATION” newspaper also criticizes Russia’s politics:
“Armenia and Georgia have not been receiving gas since Sunday due to the surprising gas pipeline explosion which took place in Russia’s region. Neither the government, nor the “GasProm” monopoly has asked for forgiveness from the two countries which are facing difficulties during this cold winter,” says the article writer Loren Millon.
Gas differs from other energetic resources in that it is impossible to find alternatives in times of need. For example, it is easier to find other resources for oil and import, however, when it comes to gas, new pipelines must be constructed and that costs a lot of money. That’s why natural gas is a good way of pressuring and Russia is doing just that.
The Italian “LA STAMPA” also talked about the gas issue.
“Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan knew very well that gas might become a means of political influence. Russia will have to deal with this in the future.”
European media looks at Russia’s gas price increase from the political perspective. There is just one thing that journalists don’t seem to understand: if Russians have decided what they are going to do with Georgia and Ukraine, how come they have not made a final decision for Armenia?
“LE FIGARO” tried to answer this question and offended Armenians in a way. The article was entitled “Kreml continues the gas attack” and the author wrote the following about Armenia as he talked about Russia doubling the gas price for the CIS countries.
“Russia surprised its last “pawn” Armenia with this last move. Moscow is probably unsatisfied with the energy supply contracts that Yerevan has signed with Tehran.”
Another author of the same newspaper believes that Armenia is in a better situation compared to the “democratic revolutionary countries” in that Armenians will pay the same price for gas until April 1.
“The CIS countries that have decided to improve relations with the West and make democratic reforms will be punished by the gas price increase. Georgia is the worst because it is paying 110 dollars for 1 cubic meter of gas, meanwhile its neighboring country Armenia pays 54 dollars,” writes the author. Basically, they want us to feel proud of ourselves. But what do we do? We discuss the issue in order to “make the Russians listen to us”. We can look at all this the following way: we love Russia; we don’t think that you will increase the gas price and if you do, then we will change our attitude towards Russia and may be more subjective. Why are we making them listen to us? The reason is that our authorities are afraid to declare war. The method of discussions is simply ridiculous because there is one reply to the statements: since when did you care about your people’s opinion and how can you be so sure of yourself? (especially after the referendum).
The Russians are sure of themselves. They are sure of their possibilities; they are sure that we can’t do anything against them. In other words, they don’t think we are serious. They don’t consider us serious to the point that even the Russian media expresses opinions about handing over the Hrazdan Water Electricity Plant’s 5th sector to Russia, which didn’t happen:
“Almost all Armenian businesses rely on Russia’s gas price in order to develop, as well as the two large state companies “GasProm” and “RAO EES.” This is the opinion of one of the specialists of heating electricity complexes Ilya Zaslavski. According to the specialist, the problem facing the two abovementioned companies is the 5th sector of the Hrazdan Water Electricity Plant.
“I think that both sides will finally come to terms. Armenia has no other choice. The 5th sector and/or the gas supply network will be handed over to the Russians.”
Here we see how our “elder brother” ignores us. Basically, no matter what Armenia says or does, Russia is going to do things however it sees fit. The concluding part of her speech is pretty cynical.
“The Russian colleagues will make some compromises under the “pressure” of Armenia because nobody would like to see a conflict between Russia and Armenia, where Russia has military bases.”
We must mention the fact that the proposals to increase the price for keeping the allocated Russian forces in Armenia, which most Armenian political figures have been doing recently (including President of the National Assembly Arthur Baghdasaryan), worry some Russian analysts. Zaurbek Galayev says:
“Taking into consideration the fact that there will be many changes in the Southern Caucasus region in the year 2006, Russia’s “pettiness” towards its major strategic ally shows that the announcements regarding the strategic interests of the “Southern fore post” or the Russia are far from what Moscow can do.”
The article doesn’t state what changes the analyst refers to. However, the meeting between Russia’s Minister of Defense S. Ivanov and the Minister of Armenia Serj Sargsyan, which took place on January 26, did calm him down a little.
S. Ivanov said the following in regard to charging Russia a market price for allocating Russian military bases on Armenian soil.
“I don’t quite understand Armenia’s decision.”
Serj Sargsyan said:
“The gas price has nothing to do with our security. The Armenian government asked Russia to allocate its forces here. The Russian military bases form one of the components of Armenia’s security and we still need those military bases.”
So, we get a clear picture of why Russia has decided to impose market prices on us, but they don’t understand us. We understand the Russians even when they say that “they don’t give Azerbaijan weaponry for no reason at all.” The Russians have probably written in their “instructsya” (instructions): “Not to use weapons against Armenians.”
Of course, all Armenians know that the allocation of military bases is another story. There are some things which shouldn’t be talked about out loud or go in further detail. It is amazing to hear the opinion of former Armenian Prime Minister Khosrov Harutyunyan when he said that Ivanov’s visit to Armenia proved that there would be a raise in the money received for the allocation of forces. It is amazing to see how Khosrov Harutyunyan’s opinions never contrast the opinions of the authorities. Secondly, the former prime minister, just like Serj Sargsyan, must realize how important the military bases are. After all, those bases were allocated thanks to the government and during the time when Harutyunyan was the prime minister.