Author: nina hovnanian

MAIDAN AND ARMENIAN POLITICAL PERSPECTIVES

TransConflict
May 8 2014

May 8, 2014 8:44 am
By Edgar Khachatryan

Armenia has gone from negotiating an Association Agreement with
the EU to expressing a desire to join the Customs Union of Belarus,
Kazakhstan and Russia; a decision that threatens to fundamentally
undermine the country’s reform prospects, particularly following
recent developments in Ukraine.

“Those who think there will be another Maidan in Armenia may have
such a Maidan in their own backyard”, stated Galust Sahakyan, leader
of the governing Republican Faction of the Armenian National Assembly,
suggesting Armenian opposition parties should not be too excited about
events taking place elsewhere. In order to understand how Ukrainian
developments are viewed in Armenia, we first need to understand the
political situation of a country that shared over seventy years of
Soviet history, but which has currently chosen a different political
path to Ukraine.

Not so long ago when negotiating an Association Agreement with the
EU, Yerevan officials used to speak from high platforms about their
commitment to signing the Agreement at any cost. The enthusiasm and
convincing speeches of the Armenian authorities suddenly disappeared
on September 3rd 2013 during a meeting with Vladimir Putin, when
president Serzh Sargsyan suddenly announced Armenia’s “overwhelming
desire” to join the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.

Nobody in Armenia could understand precisely whose wish Sargsyan
expressed during the meeting, since neither political nor public
discussions had been held in Armenia on the subject.

Whilst people searched for an answer, the authorities immediately
put their “independent and impartial” media into action to help
people understand the situation better and orientate themselves
“easily”. For days and nights the media kept reminding people about
the advantages of having a powerful strategic partner in the region,
about Russia’s role and importance in resisting military aggression
from Azerbaijan and Turkey, and about Armenia’s happy and “fat” years
in the Soviet Union. These beautiful images were occasionally followed
by scenes of citizens on Maidan expressing their dissatisfaction with
the Ukrainian authorities.

The footage, mainly made up from scenes broadcast by Russian channels,
exclusively showed clashes between activists and ‘Berkut’ troops, and
the daunting number of police and civilians injured as a result. The
videos aired on TV were followed by interviews with analysts, political
scientists and politicians who were diligently trying to prove that
Armenia is not Ukraine, and that we Armenians cannot allow bloodshed
in our country, a country that has already seen so many tragedies.

As events in Ukraine unfolded, Russia increased its activities in
Armenia, aimed to promote the interests of its “brother-country”
in more and more visible ways. Russia reduced by 30% the price of
natural gas for Armenia (a prices difference that is not, however,
passed on to the consumer). According to the authorities, the gas
price has been constantly changing since 2011; however, consumer
prices in Armenia have been $180 per 1000 m3 over this period. As
a result, a debt of $300m accumulated over two years; half of which
Russia promised to pay, whereas the other half is supposed to be paid
by Armenia. During negotiations on the issue, the Armenian government
sold the remaining 20% of shares in gas company HayRusGazard to Russia
in order to pay the debt.

The gas deal concerned not only the gas price, but also stated that:

The Armenian party guarantees that until December 31, 2043, the rights
and interests of Gazprom OJSC, HayRusgazard CJSC and their respective
successors arising out of or in connection with the Agreement are
not subject to change, amendment, withdrawal or reduction without
Russia’s consent as of the date of signing the agreement.

The Armenian party guarantees that until December 31, 2043 no laws,
decisions, decrees or other legal acts will be changed, cancelled or
in any way violate the legal rights and interests of Gazprom OJSC,
HayRusgazard CJSC and their respective successors as of the date of
signing the agreement.

In reality, the gas deal conceals a different kind of agreement between
Armenia and Russia: up to December 2043, Russia ensures unrestricted
falsified elections and impunity towards such exercises.

That is to say, Russia ensures that it will not allow changes of
power in Armenia until December 2043, as this would contradict
Russian interests. Thus it appears that, in order to protect its
own interests, Putin’s regime protects the position and interests of
Armenia’s ruling elite.

At the Forum of Russian Compatriots in Yerevan, Russian ambassador to
Armenia Ivan Volinkin announced that Russia will halt any attempts at
“aggressive intervention of other countries in the domestic affairs
of its friendly states in an effort to instill ideas alien to our
mind and soul”. In other words, Moscow simply declares its rights to
intervene in Armenia’s internal affairs, or announces that any coup
attempts in Armenia “initiated” or supported by a third country will
be crushed by Russia.

Crimea

The reaction from the majority of Armenian citizens to developments
in the Autonomous Region of Crimea is of particular interest. The
announcement of a referendum on Crimea’s status aroused strong
feelings of empathy among Armenians towards the ethnic Russian
population of the autonomous region. It was clear that the phrase
“right to self-determination”, formulated by the Russians and
repeated by the Armenian propaganda machine, could not leave
people in Armenia indifferent. There is hardly any Armenian who
would argue with or question the importance and predominance of the
principle of self-determination. Since the Armenian viewpoint on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is that the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh
also have the right to self-determination, immediately Crimea was
referred to as a “Russian Karabakh”. The stream of articles produced
about illegal and violent activities by extremists and Bandera-adepts
against the Russian population in Crimea stirred more and more
compassion among Armenians towards a people who, as most would see it,
were now “sharing the bitter fate of the Armenians”.

During the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
plenary session on Crimea, the Armenian delegation voted against
the resolution that called for sanctions against Russia. “If the
point is that territorial integrity should prevail while the right
to self-determination will rely only on the consent of the central
authorities, then, in this case, regardless of whether our relations
with Russia are friendly or not, our position is clear and it is
in our national and state interests”, commented David Harutyunyan,
Head of Armenian Delegation to PACE. The few civil society groups in
Armenia that considered Russia’s actions towards Crimea as annexation
that should not go unpunished were once more labelled traitors and
secret agents prepared by the West, trying to undermine the foundation
of the Armenian state with their actions.

Russia’s role in Armenia

According to David Shahnazaryan, head of the “Concord” Center
and former head of the National Security Ministry, the Armenian
authorities, parliament (with the exception of some MPs), analysts,
certain civil groups, criminal elements and oligarchs all together
make up a system that is fully-governed by the Kremlin, and this
system is actually responsible for the current situation in Armenia,
with little possibility for change. “The Armenian government is formed
in Russia. Armenian foreign policy is shaped in Russia. The Republic’s
security system is formed in Russia. This is accepted by everyone”,
says Mr. Shahnazaryan.

Russia is always seen as a protector of Armenia. So, what do we gain
from the Russian military presence that is so valued by many? From
the point of view of security, the gain may be more psychological
than practical. Many think that the presence of Russian troops
is a restrictive, preventive factor for Turkey or Azerbaijan. It
may guarantee security from possible attack, since attacks on a
Collective Security Treaty Organization [1] member would be viewed
as an attack on Russia. For Russia, meanwhile, this is a warrant to
restore its former dominant position in the South Caucasus. Thus, the
kind of policy Russia is implementing towards Armenia (for instance,
when it continues to selling arms to Azerbaijan, or when it uses and
will continue to use Armenia as a tool to destabilize the region when
necessary), is almost not being discussed.

Economy

Today, many objects of great significance and strategic importance for
Armenia are under Russian control: HayRusgazard, Electric Networks of
Armenia, Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant, Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant,
the Armenian Railways, telephone company Armente etc. It is important
to understand that Russia has enormous leverage to influence both
the internal and external policies of Armenia and make it even more
dependent on Russia. The relations between Russia and Armenia are
similar to a “forced friendship”, with the potential to turn into
a lord-vassal relationship at any moment; and the characterization
“strategic alliance” may lose its relevance at any time. After the
Ukrainian events, it should be clear to everyone what the combined
authorities of Putin and Sargsyan are capable of in case there is an
attempt of a power change in Armenia.

Touching upon the current political discourse in Armenia, it must be
noted that Maidan and the Ukrainian developments are presented as an
anti-Russian processes initiated by Western countries. This is the
sign of an old conflict between Russia (the Soviet Union) and the
West, and this is the reason why the Armenian society is forced to
view anyone with a different mentality as an enemy. Armenian society
considers joining the Customs Union in order to join Russia’s efforts
to resist Western pressure and aggression. Armenia is promised a number
of benefits if it joins the Customs Union: solutions to unemployment,
custom free import of goods from Customs Union countries; upgraded
roads and railways, and even economic stabilization of Nagorno
Karabakh.

It seems that nobody in Armenia is able to critically analyze the
situation and to ask very logical questions, such as how Russia will
develop Armenia’s economy if all the Russian economy is based on its
energy resources? In fact Russia has few other industries except for
the arms industry. There is hardly any other sphere that Russia can
develop in Armenia, because all other spheres of great importance are
already under Russian control. There has been no public discussion
that would raise questions such as whether Armenia imports anything
from Belarus or Kazakhstan, or what is the percentage of imports from
Russia compared with imports from other countries? It seems nobody
really asks such questions.

Georgia

For some unknown reasons, many Armenians believe that Russia or
integration in the Customs Union will take Armenia out of the blockade,
and will open its roads and railways. It is unclear how Russia will do
that if the closest neighbour of Armenia is Georgia, with whom Russia
has almost no affairs. Armenia and Russia do not have common borders,
thus any communication will be interrelated with Armenia’s neighbouring
countries. In addition, Georgia chose to join the Association Agreement
with the EU, so very soon the custom policies and legislations will be
incompatible. This fact creates even more obstacles and challenges for
Armenia’s collaboration and cooperation with its closest neighbours.

How can Russia take Armenia out of the blockade if one of the reasons
for such a blockade is Russia and its relations with Armenia’s
neighbours? Armenia’s railway to Russia is blocked because, besides
going through Georgia, the railway passes through Abkhazia. With the
issue over Abkhazia unsolved, the promise of railway development is
unrealistic. It seems like a political mockery that a country involved
in the Minsk group process as an independent mediator helping the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict parties solve the issue in a peaceful way
promises economic development for Nagorno Karabakh in case Armenia
joins the Customs Union.

Armenians do not pay attention to the fact how the human rights
issues will be solved in the Customs Union. If one looks at any
human rights-related report, it is clear that Russia and Belarus
are in the lowest positions in terms of human rights protection,
freedom of speech, freedom of religion, etc. And now Armenia has
chosen to join these countries. Only a small number of people are
interested what will happen as a result of a so called “friendship”
and realize that this risks the existence of civil society and the
participation of citizens in the decision-making processes.

Thus, in case Armenia joins the Customs Union it makes no sense to
even talk about democracy in Armenia. Unfortunately, the Armenian
government and – through propaganda – now also Armenian society seems
to be ready to pay with its sovereignty, freedom and democratic values
for some promises of pseudo-economic development and security. This
is the nearest future of Armenia in case there is no protest from
broader segments of society. Unfortunately these painful realities are
hidden behind romantic memories of Soviet Union, and, unfortunately,
the younger generation is mainly indifferent towards such romantic
memories. The only hope that there will be a change in Armenia is
that it will come with the new generation, who hopefully have the
potential and desire.

Edgar Khachatryan is the director of Peace Dialogue, a member of
the Global Coalition for Conflict Transformation. He specializes in
international peacebuilding trainings, consultancy and expertise
in gender and peace processes, violence prevention, and post-war
stabilization and recovery.

Footnotes

1) In 1992, six post-Soviet states belonging to the Commonwealth
of Independent States–Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan–signed the Collective Security Treaty.

Three other post- Soviet states–Azerbaijan, Belarus,
and Georgia–signed the next year and the treaty took effect in
1994. Five years later, six of the nine–all but Azerbaijan, Georgia,
and Uzbekistan–agreed to renew the treaty for five more years, and
in 2002 those six formally agreed to create the Collective Security
Treaty Organization as a military alliance.

What Other Sensation Do You Need?

Igor Muradyan, Political Analyst
Comments – Saturday, 10 May 2014, 12:18

The eminent representatives of the Yerevan-based information sphere
did not admit there was a sensation. Either we are unable to tell a
sensation or the `zone’ is already in such a situation that a
sensation would be an exaggeration. Something more important than a
sensation took place. The United States has set out to form a new
front of pressure against Russia.

The recent speech of the American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group
relates directly to the `zone’. Last time the United States used the
issue as a lever of pressure on Russia in the spring of 2001 when
NATO’s southern enlargement plans were unfolded to force Russia to
make concessions over missiles. Then the initiative of Key West was
made. Since then the United States has not tried to use the problem
because new processes relating to the Turkish-American relations took
place.

All over this period the United States has imparted with a new essence
the South Caucasus, including the `zone’, which used to be viewed as a
partner with at least two functions: containment of Turkish expansion
and balance of forces in the South Caucasus.

Later the strategy based on the concept of `dual containment’ changed,
and the `zone’ became more topical. If not for the disaster of
September 3, Warlick would not make his report, and the United States
would successfully push the `zone’ towards Euro-Atlantic integration
and subsequently resolve all the other issues.

Things happen at the right time. As Lragir.am wrote earlier, under the
influence of developments in Eastern Europe the United States revised
essentially its policy in the South Caucasus. Saakashvili’s ideas and
plans were revived, and Azerbaijan became a strategic partner of the
United States which was initially staked.

The `zone’ which the Americans were considering as a possible partner
in the strategy of `dual containment’ of Turkish and Russian expansion
has lost its sovereignty, and does not interest anyone. The president
of the `zone’ Serzh Sargsyan attends absurd CSTO military exercises
which are obviously aimed at Ukraine. The behavior of `zone’ leaders
supposes its disappearance from the political map. What other
sensation do you need?

Earlier the `zone’ had a lot of positive expectations, such as
formation of a joint regional bloc with Georgia under the aegis of
NATO, obtaining a new status within the framework of integration with
NATO, integration with the European Union, including security matters,
development of cooperation with Iran with high interest of the United
States and the European Union.

However, all these things were possible in a sovereign state, not a
vassal formation followed by `zone’ format. The `zone’ has lost its
value for any strategy, both the U.S. and NATO and Iran. Nobody would
deal with the vassal of an ambitious isolated state. The `zone’ is not
just isolated. It has been erased from international politics.

For a long time the United States was interested in military and
economic strengthening of the `zone’ and did not undertake anything to
resolve the conflict with Azerbaijan. Now that the relations with both
Azerbaijan and Turkey have been revised to rapprochement and new
arrangements, it is meaningless to continue the policy of balance of
forces in the region.

No doubt the American co-chair’s report is a wish to punish the `zone’
severely but to intensify pressure on Russia. Russia must be isolated
and blocked in all the directions, primarily the Black Sea and the
South Caucasian region. However, the U.S. would have such an
indisputable position only in a situation when the `zone’ consciously
chose the way of being a Russian vassal.

In addition, the Americans are well-aware and appreciate the obedience
of the population of the `zone’ which cannot utter a sound when its
homeland is deprived of independence. Strangely, this U.S. policy is
favorable for Russia because the `zone’ is recognized as a vassal, and
Moscow considers this a positive development.

In fact, Russia sheds responsibility for the `zone’ because its
existence is meaningless when a powerful Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia
bloc is formed in the Black Sea-Caucasus region supported by NATO and
the United States. Some time ago nobody expected such a situation,
other processes were taking place.

Of course, not much depended on the `zone’ when Maidan was happening
but there is no doubt that with support from the West the `zone’ would
have avoided such a shameful and disastrous situation.

The Americans presented an absolutely precise report, at the right
moment, when the new phase or rather the new direction of isolation
and blockade of Russia starts. Putin’s last hope is the CSTO
illusionary partners and allies when it is not clear what the allies
are going to do and whether they exist at all.

The report is drafted in the form of provocation, mentioning return of
Lachin and repopulated territories which will mean a disaster for the
`zone’. In addition, the addressee is not the `zone’ but Russia with
which every substantial conversation has to be conducted. Entering
into serious relations with the `zone’ is simply funny and
meaningless. It was clearly explained to the `zonal government’,
without leaving illusions.

Now it is clear that the political leadership of the `zone’ could not
even imagine what a disaster awaited it when it made the decision of
September 3, which is evidence that this leadership is not capable of
politics, and now its mercenaries confess the complete failure of
their bosses.

Moreover, the entire political hierarchy of the `zone’ has appeared in
such a situation, including at least 200 people who are in one way or
another responsible for the destiny of the `zone’.

Seiran Ohanyan has announced that the army is ready to defend every
span of land. We would like to believe this but it takes a relevant
order for the army to fulfill its duty. Will there be such an order
when all the orders come from Moscow?

One way or another, the result of this political turn will be
elimination of foreign factors that restrain resumption of war.
Currently the United States is not interested in curbing such
aggressive behavior towards the `zone’. On the contrary, the Americans
are interested in a solution that will lead to Russia’s loss of its
last positions in the region.

The pilot project of moderate policy of the United States and its
partners on Russia is over. Now the United States would like to engage
Russia in military conflicts possibly far from Europe. However, the
government of the `zone’ is not capable of any independent action and
will follow Moscow’s instructions. They have gone past the turnabout.

When you assess one aspect of the risks, it is better to look around
and understand all the risks and threats.

– See more at:

Aravot: Armenian expat scholar says psychological factor is true cause
for emigration

May 10, 2014

YEREVAN. ` According to scholar and psychologist Vahan Ghuyumchyan,
who recently left Armenia due to the `lukewarm climate’ created in the
country, the main reason for emigration is not the people’s social
situation, and the psychological factor plays a bigger role, Aravot
daily reported.

`Ghuyumchyan himself had the opportunity to leave [Armenia] earlier,
but he did not leave the country believing that our people’s spirit is
high and they seek to craft an independent state, and this was his
dream, too.

`But when he realized that the people have voluntarily enslaved
themselves, leaving the country became inevitable for the scholar,’
Aravot wrote.

400 ceasefire violations by Azeri armed forces reported May 4-10

May 10, 2014 – 17:34 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – 400 ceasefire violations by Azeri armed forces were
reported at the line of contact between Nagorno Karabakh and
Azerbaijan from May 4-10.

Azerbaijan fired over 3000 shots from various caliber weapons towards
Karabakh positions with shootings intensified ahead of the May 9
Victory Day. The NKR defense army continued with their military duty
in line with ceasefire principles, taking necessary measures to
protect the frontline.

In recent months, Azerbaijan have been continuously violating the
ceasefire, shelling Armenian and Artsakh frontline, as well as border
villages of Armenia.

On the morning of April 19, Azeri troops shelled settlements in
Armenia’s Tavush province. Some of the villagers working in the
vineyards managed to escape, yet others stayed put. The head of the
village of Aygepar Andranik Aydinyan expressed concern over the fates
of the latters, with mobile connection cut and no information
available, Panorama.am reported.

The village of Choratan was also fired on; the shelling started at 9
am and lasted for almost half an hour. As the head of the village
Varuzhan Baghramyan said, `Azeri troops targeted peaceful villagers
working in the gardens. Fortunately, no one was injured. Azeri
shelling became a pretty common occurrence here.’

Border villages of Aygepar, Movses, Nerkin Karmiraghbryur in Armenia’s
Tavush province were intensively shelled in a lengthy Azeri attack on
the night of April 15, Yerkir.am said.

Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan confirmed the
information toPanARMENIAN.Net `The shelling ceased after Armenian
units adequately responded to the attack. Fortunately, no losses or
injuries on Armenian side were reported,’ he said.

The village of Aygepar was left without gas supplies, with the pipe
bringing gas to the village damaged in the attack.

On March 24, Garnik Torosyan, 22, was shot dead while on duty at the
contact line between Karabakh and Azeri armed forces.

Nagorno Karabakh army soldier Arman Ghukasyan, 20, died from gunshot
wounds while on duty on March 19; another serviceman, Varazdat
Zakaryan was injured.

In late January, a Nagorno Karabakh army soldier, Karen Galstyan, aged
20, sustained a deadly injury in a sniper attack at the northern
direction of the line of contact with the Azerbaijani armed forces.

Simultaneous attempts of penetration by the Azerbaijani subversive
groups were recorded on January 19-20 in the north-eastern (Jraberd)
and south-eastern (Korgan) directions of the line of contact. The
front units of the armed forces of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
noticed the actions of the Azerbaijani subversive groups and started
an organized defense in both directions. The rival was thrown back
suffering palpable human and material losses. Junior Sergeant Armen
Hovhannisyan died from the wounds he received during the exchange of
fire.

Azerbaijan intensively violated ceasefire on May 9 ` NKR Defense Army

15:37 10/05/2014 » SOCIETY

Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire at the Line of Contact between
Nagorno-Karabakh’s and Azerbaijan’s troops about 400 times on May
4-10, with over 3,000 shots fired at Karabakh’s frontline positions,
the NKR Defense Army reported.

The ceasefire violations were especially intensive on May 9. On the
Victory and Peace Day and the days preceding the holiday, Azeri forces
violated the ceasefire 200 times, with 1,700 shots fired.

Armenian forces took measures to silence the enemy, and confidently
performed their military duties along the Line of Contact.

Source: Panorama.am

Serviceman injured in military unit of northeastern border dies on way
to hospital

15:08, 10 May, 2014

YEREVAN, MAY 10, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Ministry of the Republic of
Armenia informs with deep regret that, according to the preliminary
data, on 10.05.2014 at about 08:50 serviceman Nerses Ghazar Karapetyan
was found in one of the military units located in the northeastern
border with gunshot injury around his head. On way to Ijevan hospital
Nerses Ghazar Karapetyan died.

The Department of Mass Media and Public Relations of the Defense
Ministry of the Republic of Armenia informed Armenpress that materials
are prepared in the investigative service of the Defense Ministry of
the Republic of Armenia, investigation is carried out.

The Defense Ministry of the Republic of Armenia shares the sorrow for
the heavy loss and expresses its support to the members of Nerses
Ghazar Karapetyan family, relatives and colleagues.

The spokesperson of the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Armenia
Artsrun Hovhannisyan stated in a conversation with
Armenpress that the Investigative Service officers of the Defense
Ministry are currently at the scene and perform necessary actions.

`More details will be provided later. The Ministry of Defense will
make a statement,’ Artsrun Hovhannisyan said.

DIASPORA-ARMENIE
Plus de 1000 personnes réunies à Glendale en souvenir de Sosé
Tomassian et Allen Yekikian disparus tragiquement il y a un an

Plus de 1000 personnes étaient présentes à la salle de thétre « Alex
» de Glendale (Los Angeles, Californie) pour un concert dédié en
souvenir de Sossé Tomassian et Alen Yekikian. Concert organisé par la
Fondation Sosé Tomassian et Allen Yekikian.

Sosé Tomassian et Allen Yekikian

Lors de ce concert une cérémonie fut dédiée au jeune couple plein
d’avenir, installés en Arménie Sosé Tomassian et Allen Yekikian qui
avaient tragiquement trouvé la mort il y a un an, dans un accident de
la circulation en Géorgie. Les recettes de la soirée iront à la
rénovation du Centre de la jeunesse de Brochian à Erévan. Aujourd’hui,
au parc « Forest-Lawn » d’Hollywood-Hills, une cérémonie religieuse se
déroulera également à la mémoire du couple disparu.

Sosé Tomassian et Allen Yekikian

« Sosé et Allen continuent de rester pour nous les jeunes Arméniens
des Etats-Unis, un exemple pour ceux qui s’étaient investis en Arménie
pour défendre notre identité et notre culture. Nous avons espoir de
continuer leur travail » dit Alik Tchertchian, membre de la Fédération
arménienne de la jeunesse.

La Fondation Sosé Tomassian et Allen Yekikian désire créer une forêt
en Arménie portant le nom de ces deux Arméniens de la diaspora qui
aimaient passionnément l’Arménie et avaient décidé de s’y installer.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 10 mai 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

Armenia leader thanks CSTO member states for position on Kessab

May 08, 2014 | 18:46

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan thanked CSTO member states for
their position on Kessab.

President Sargsyan recalled that situation in Syria, possible
developments in Afghanistan and the Middle East were discussed during
the Council of Collective Security meeting in Sochi.

`I want to thank for the position of CSTO member states on
Armenian-populated Syrian town of Kessab that was reflected in a
statement adopted by the Foreign Ministers of CSTO member states on
April 3,’ Sargsyan said during an informal meeting with the presidents
of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in Moscow.

He attached importance to the role of Russia in settlement of Syrian crisis.

On March 21, armed militants from the Jabhat al-Nusra Islamic
terrorist group infiltrated into northern Syria’s Latakia Governorate.
Two large groups of terrorists had launched the attack from Turkey.
About 600 Kessab-Armenian families were initially sheltered in Latakia
city. A group of Armenia parliament members had visited Syria to
assess the situation in the region.

Armenian delegation viewing Kansas bio hazard training events

15:42 08.05.2014

A delegation from the Republic of Armenia is visiting Kansas to
observe a state training exercise and receive instruction on
responding to bio hazards, AP reports.

The events are part of an ongoing exchange between Armenia and the
Kansas National Guard through a program administered by the National
Guard Bureau.

On Tuesday, the delegation was in Emporia to watch a bio hazards
training exercise involving local first responders and the Kansas
National Guard’s 73rd Civil Support Team.

The Armenians travel next Wednesday to the state’s Crisis City
training center in Salina for classroom instruction on responding to
chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards.

The visit has been coordinated by the National Agricultural
Biosecurity Center at Kansas State University.

Armenian President observes training exercise of the Russian armed forces

17:09 08.05.2014

Russia’s strategic missile forces test launched an intercontinental
ballistic missile (ICBM) during a training exercise on Thursday under
the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, RIA Novosti reports.

The RS-12M Topol ICBM was launched from the country’s northern
Plesetsk space center.

Prelaunch operations and the launch and flight of the missile followed
a strictly planned procedure. The Russian Ministry of Defense said the
missile struck the practice target at the Kura ballistic range in the
country’s Far East within the prescribed accuracy.

On Thursday, President Putin as Russia’s commander-in-chief held a
planned training exercise of the armed forces. The presidents of
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member countries `
Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan ` observed the training
process at the national defense control center.

The practice event included maneuvers of individual formations and
units of the missile troops, artillery, aircraft and air defense
systems to destroy ground forces and counter massive missile and air
strikes of a hypothetical opponent.

Another part of training focused on nuclear deterrence and countering
the opponent’s ballistic attack using the missile defense system of
the city of Moscow.

The training involved strategic bombers, ballistic submarines,
strategic purpose mobile missile systems and other aerospace defense
equipment. In addition, the training included the artillery and rocket
forces of the Southern and Central Military Districts.