January, 01, 2006
Russia - Armenia: strange changes in a policy "gas in exchange for brotherly kiss"
Zaurbek Galaev, CHECHENPRESS, 01.01.06
Gas disassemblies in territory of the former USSR have touched "advanced post" of Russia on Southern Caucasus. During a gas theme, the information as if Armenians, having compared the prices for the Russian gas delivered at Byelorussia, with the prices of the same gas for Armenia, were jealous of "elder brother" of Bat'ka Lukashenko has appeared. But actually an origin of the Armenian-Russian gas disagreements looks a little differently.
In opinion of the speaker of Armenian parliament Artura Bagdasarjana, Armenia should coordinate the prices for gas to a rent for a disposition in its(her) territory of 102-nd Russian military base. If the approach to mutual relation with Russia will vary in a channel of statements of the chapter of the Armenian parliament these changes may have rather serious consequences in spite of the fact that the attention now is more involved in gas disputes between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia till now did not pay a rent for stay of military base in territory of Armenia that characterizes îîñîáûåï attitudes(relations) of two countries. Influence of Russia in this country is significant. Observers marked the characteristic fact, what even protests of the Armenian population against the authorities passed at the Russian embassy, with requirements to Moscow to affect local authorities.
On this background of a disagreement between Armenia and Russia concerning the prices for gas - the phenomenon unexpected. Russia manipulates the prices for gas for the postSoviet space, using them as levers of rendering of pressure upon the countries leaving from under her influence and going on rapproachement with the West. This tendency is easy for looking if to compare chronology of change of the prices for the Russian gas for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to political transformations happened in these countries. However till now, for Armenia it was not noticed attempts to leave from under the Russian influence, therefore increase in 2006 of the prices for delivery of the Russian gas for this country from 50 up to 110 dollars looks rather strange. The price for gas for "brotherly" country - the strategic ally and an advanced post leaves, that, - is offered same, as well as for Georgia represented in an image of the enemy of Russia.
Taking into account, that in one year on Caucasus the big changes are expected, strange "pettiness" of Russia concerning the basic ally on Southern Caucasus testifies that loud statements about "southern advance posts", in region are rather far geopolitic interests of Russia from real opportunities of Moscow. And the initiative of Russia in transition to market relations in questions of delivery of gas - one of attributes of proceeding by it giving up the positions.
Let's remind, that the initiator of increase of the price for the gas delivered to Armenia, Russia has acted. Knowing the painful attitude of Moscow to anyone "orange" or to pro-Western displays on territories of the CIS, and propensity of the Russian authorities to put in direct dependence of the price for energy carriers on display by the countries by consumers "brotherly" or "hostile" to itself feelings, in this case it is possible to ascertain, that Armenia was not guilty before Russia. Simply Russia silently, but convincingly have asked to move, and pushing through of the program of Putin - Lukashenko "gas in exchange for a kiss", on Caucasus has no sense any more.
http://chechenpress.co.uk/english/news/2006/01/01/03.shtml
