January 19, 2005 - 22:48 AMT
"RUSSIA'S MILITARY PRESENCE IN ARMENIA DOES NOT SOLVE COMPLEX OF STRATEGIC PROBLEMS"
"Although elements of a traditionalist approach to the "orientation towards Russia" still come out in the foreign policy thinking of Armenia, nevertheless pragmatism policy gradually substitutes for them," considers Shushan Khatlamajian, the author of an article in New Politics Internet issue. "From the military and political point of view Russia is an actual ally of Armenia… Another thing is that merely military presence of Russia in Armenia does not solve the complex of their strategic problems," she continues. Besides the aforementioned "military and base" component, the relations with Armenia, in the article author's opinion, are not marked with anything special. The article expresses a point of view that the Russian Embassy in Armenia does not pursue an active policy. "Anyway, its activities are of "parade and official" nature… Its top officers… rarely appears on the TV screen, almost do not take part in discussions, etc. Either it is explained by the style of diplomatic affairs, which - it should be noted - has become much old-fashioned, or Russia is to much sure of Armenia," Sh. Khatlamajian sums up.