Voice of Russia
Alexei Vlasov, editor-in-chief of VK, spoke to Igor Panarin on the domestic political situation in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, as well as the factors that influence stability in the South Caucasus.
The end
Panarin: Armenia is a member of the CSTO, the country which is close to Russia in the Caucasus. What about the situation there?
Vlasov: In May the parliamentary elections took place. I think they resulted in the victory of the forces which are aimed at maintenance of a stable strategic partnership. The Republicans won. However, they diversify and extend the contact zone with the EU and Iran.
Panarin: They have to, if we speak about Iran, because it is an economic problem of isolation.
Vlasov: I agree. But strange is leaving Prosperous Armenia, a conglomerate of small parties headed by Gagik Tsurukyan, from the party coalition.
Panarin: And he has powerful contacts abroad, doesn’t he?
Vlasov: He does: in media, in Diaspora, in Russia. Tsarukyan presents himself as a pro-Russian person.
Panarin: So, he is a supporter of integration, isn’t he?
Vlasov: Absolutely. Suddenly such events happened during the composition of the cabinet that the coalition failed. The Republicans dominate, but the question is – what position will Prosperous Armenia take? Will it approach the Armenian National Congress, the opposition, or try to find another way? The other problem is that the second president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan is said to return to the big politics.
Panarin: Yes, he is one of the strongest leaders.
Vlasov: The question – what is next? – arises in the context of coming presidential elections.
Panarin: It seems to be some clash in the Armenian political elite.
Vlasov: Yes, and the support of Russia, first of all material, plays a big role. It is one of the factors which Yerevan understands perfectly and considers it. In autumn the Russian-Armenian inter-regional forum will take place. I think prospects of cooperation between Armenia and the Eurasian Economic Project will be discussed there.
It is a platform that enables to build relations with any players in the South Caucasus peacefully and mutual-beneficially. Moreover, it is one of variants which could help to participate effectively in the mediation on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Panarin: So we have touched on this problem of the Caucasian zone. Separate foreign political and non-regional players try to wake up the conflict. Is there danger that it could shift from frozen into open? There were several tense moments last year. But it is obvious that the US and the UK try to shake the situation.
Vlasov: A year passed since the failure of the Kazan summit, and almost no real progressive steps were made on the settlement of the conflict. Russia was criticized for being an ineffective mediator. But you can do it yourself! Hilary Clinton’s visit clearly showed that the US have a firm position only on Georgia.
Panarin: Actually, a priority was given to it…
Vlasov: The notion “occupied territories” – everything is clear, no more questions. Even if Clinton were the head of the Financing Ministry, she wouldn’t implement the mission during the next presidential term.
Panarin: We hardly will see her in foreign policy again.
Vlasov: Clinton comes to Baku to serious people who ask her: alright, you promote Mikhail Saakashvili, but what can you say about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? And then empty beautiful words are voiced. She comes to Yerevan – the same thing.
Panarin: So, for them the Georgian direction is the top priority, isn’t it? What is our task in this context?
Vlasov: Of course, we should change the view on the situation in the South Caucasus. Mrs. Clinton came to Armenia. Whom did she meet along with officials? She met representatives of non-governmental organizations in the embassy.
Panarin: And the embassy is huge.
Vlasov: Serious people are working there.
Panarin: Few people have seen this embassy in Yerevan.
Vlasov: They do work. They meet representatives of non-governmental organizations. The traditional opposition is not very interesting for her. She is interested in the civil sector. They have found a working rhythm which we still have not defined, I think.
Panarin: Do you mean in Armenia?
Vlasov: In Armenia, in Azerbaijan. If they had opportunities, they would suggest it to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. I am sure.
Panarin: In 2011 the United States adopted a series of serious documents on promotion of public diplomacy, extension of their influence in Internet and the net of non-governmental organizations. Is the Caucasus a polygon for them?
Vlasov: It is not a polygon already. The project is launched in the whole post-Soviet space; tests are finished.
Panarin: The test regime is finished, isn’t it?
Vlasov: I’m sure it is.
Panarin: Do officials who are responsible for the Caucasus direction realize it?
Vlasov: I think you should ask them. But considering actions and statements of the new administration of this direction (I mean Mr. Chernov), I think these people turn to a systemic work on the direction.
Panarin: So the actual threat of foreign players’ penetration to the Caucasus through the system of non-governmental organizations is understood, isn’t it?
Vlasov: Yes, it is. The fact is that the non-governmental organizations officially don’t deal with politics. The methods of direct influence and pressure cannot be imposed on them. What is the problem? We support the mass media, teach journalists how to cover social conflicts. What are you talking about?
Panarin: These are comprehensive information technologies which are difficult to define, and this difficult to claim against them.
Vlasov: In Azerbaijan the presidential administration headed by Ramiz Mekhtiyev is strong. They see the threat clearly.
Panarin: What about Russian strategy in the Caucasus direction?
Vlasov: Our aims and tasks are very difficult and many-sided. The South Caucasus doesn’t border Washington or Brussels. The missions we fulfill are deeper and wider than a controlled chaos which Americans try to bring to the region. Difficult problems cannot be solved easily. We need to work with civil societies in all South Caucasian republics.
