Your trusted source

Russia has launched a signature collection against glorification of supporters of fascists in the post-Soviet territory, with over 200,000 people joining the campaign. Russian parliamentarians, experts and lawyers have set up a working group, which intends to appeal to the UN court on the same demand. The working group have also targeted Armenia for “glorifying nationalists Garegin Nzhdeh and Drastamat Kanayan.”

Fight against fascism elements in Armenia is not of sound mind

Speaking to Panorama.am, political analyst Styopa Safaryan noted that at first Russia sparked anti-Russian moods in Armenia with its policy, now the country is taking efforts to boost anti-Armenian moods inside its own country. The expert believes Russia is to blame for such moods in both states.

“With respect to the struggle against fascism, Russia itself should remember well that Armenia was among the top affected states in that fight regarding the human and material losses. Therefore rooting out fascism seeds or manifestations is perhaps not of sound mind,” he said.

Mr. Safaryan, however, does not only observe negative elements in the Russian complains in spite of the fact that the Armenian-Russian relations are qualified as allied, friendly and strategic, arguing Russia voices about all the things it dislikes about Armenia, and Armenia should also make it clear for itself all the aspects it does not approve in partnership with Russia on social and state levels.

“In this respect it is good that the dialogue between the two countries is not limited to only toasts: the existing issues are touched upon. In case such an issue is submitted to discussion in the UN, Armenia must feel free to present its clarifications regardless of the fact the issue has been raised by a group of its strategic ally,” he detailed.
The expert highlighted if not for Garegin Nzhdeh and his military feat, Russian soldiers would not be standing on the Iranian border now, adding Russia should also erect a statue dedicated to Nzhdeh in the country.

Convulsive statements

Commenting on the question whether this is another attempt by Russia to interfere with internal affairs of other states, Manvel Sargsyan, Director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS), stated Russia has never seen Armenia as an independent state to consider its affairs domestic.

According to Sargsyan, these are purposeful steps mainly aimed at pleasing Azerbaijan and Turkey.

“It is a political measure: they demonstratively take certain steps use them in their relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan later. The steps also have inner significance, pursuing various goals. All this must be condemned in some way and should not be allowed to continue. They [Russia] are making convulsive statements; a policy must be pursued to counter such a behavor,” he added.

According to the expert, the issue is social, however it can have serious impact, therefore it must be officially condemned, urging the need to issue notes and submit letters.

Stating that the entire Azerbaijan state reacts to even trifle issues if they do not lie in its interests, the expert noted that Armenia never acts in the same way. “Have we once voiced an issue to review the Armenian-Russian contract amid the ongoing Russian arms sales? Since the contract does not reserve such a right to Russia. However we fail to take such a step, as a result they [Russia] are becoming more cynical,” he concluded.

The photo is taken from the Nazi “Russian March” in Russia.