ARMENIA IS RUSSIA’S HOSTAGE, THINKS FORMER DISSIDENT
The Messenger
Feb 20 2009
Georgia
Paruir Airikian, a former Soviet dissident now one of the leaders of
the Armenian opposition, has made a statement about Russian-Armenian
relations. According to him there are two types of interstate
relations: one is based on the mutual benefits these relations can
bring and the other on the similarity of their systems of values. The
former dissident thinks that Armenia’s relations with Russia are
neither.
Airikian thinks that Armenia is being forced to play Russia’s
imperialistic games as Russia does not need a strong Armenia. For USD
100 million Russia has taken 80% of Armenia’s national wealth. Airikian
alleges that in the high echelons of Yerevan are many Russian agents
who do their best to prevent Armenia from establishing friendly
relations with Europe.
Airikian said that Armenians living in Russia are mostly in very bad
conditions. "We have become Russia’s hostage; this is the worst form
of slavery," states Airikian.