Russia doesn’t Pardon its Betrayers Despite the Ideology: Tarasov
Interview with Stanislav Tarasov, Russian political analyst, columnist at Regnum and Rex agencies.
Mr. Tarasov, in your opinion why was unveiling of Garegin Nzhdeh statue so strictly accepted by Moscow, particularly on account of the fact, that there is a square in Armenia named after Garegin Nzhdeh, subway station, a bust? Why does generally Moscow discuss that issue, interfere with historical perception of Armenian heroes?
There is a perception in Russia and the Soviet Union, according to which Garegin Nzhdeh served to the Fascist Germany throughout World War II, Great Patriotic War. It’s a fact. On account of the fact, that presently Moscow started to fight against after-effects of World War II, for ideological perspective, it observed repetition of the same phenomenon, that we observe in Ukraine, conditioned by followers of Bandera. The issue is not the statue, but such a benchmark around that name, like followers of Banders in Ukraine, in Armenia as well it has the potential of Maidan scenario. This is the first reason.
Of course, we realize that Armenia has its own perception of history, it shouldn’t be mandatorily identified with the Soviet one. However, we remember, that Armenia, being a Soviet republic, together with Russians, and other USSR nations fought during the Great Patriotic War and suffered immense losses. If Russians have somehow been preserved, then for Armenians those losses after the 1915 Genocide were a serious strike to the gene pool.
We realize that Nzhdeh’s statue wasn’t made in a day, it was prepared for a lasting period, but when next to the statue that of Russian martial with Armenian roots is found, then serious questions raise here: isn’t this all a resurrection of a certain ideology, which is currently existent in the West? From this perspective Moscow expresses its standpoint on account of the fact, if Ukraine is not a CSTO, EEU member country, and has chosen quite a different direction, Armenia is a member of those organizations, thus resurrection of those political figures, who cooperated with fascist Germany, is a benchmark, a possibility for Integration with Europe. In this case question arises: what is standing behind this?
Mr. Tarasov, Nzhdeh didn’t take part in anti-human agreements and deals within that cooperation, however, the Russian side describes Nzhdeh’s image rather simply, if makes reference to pages and facts, then Nzhdeh has serious biography, fought for sovereignty of Armenian people. Does Moscow contradict to this?
We deeply understand that Nzhdeh more fought for independent Armenia in the 18s and 20s, rather than during the years of World War II. This is a rather complicated issue: how proper is it to currently erect that statue? And from here such a situation is created, in particular, when erection of that statue coincided with the four-day war, moreover, when it coincided with non-perception of the policy by Russia in Transcaucasia. There is an opinion in Armenia, that Russia betrayed Armenia, however, this is not true, as out of tactical perceptions Russia should keep some distance.
However, there is non-perception of Russian policy, in particular, when Moscow made certain slips, improper comments, reflecting to selling of armaments to Azerbaijan. This is a somewhat negative background, and we consider, this condition should be settled. Moscow may be indifferent towards the statue, on the other hand, it makes many nervous in Russia.
Mr. Tarasov, doesn’t Moscow know that fascist steps aren’t linked to that hero?
I think, Moscow has confirmed information that Nzhdeh, and not only him, also a range of Azerbaijani figures cooperated with fascist Germany, they have formed national battalions, which, naturally, fought for fascist Germany.
There were such Russian militants as well.
Moscow doesn’t forget its betrayers. Moscow considers, that we have fought together throughout World War II, and not only Russians, but Armenians died a well. Nzhdeh was on the other side, he potentially was able to kill people, who were fighting for the Soviet Union.
However, such information lacks.
Russia doesn’t pardon its betrayers, despite the ideology. We had Vlasov, who was the author of a range of mottoes. Currently many reviewed their dispositions, as there is the issue of national betrayal.
This reflection, naturally, is not definitely accepted, they consider this is pressure against RPA, as it’s the motto of the leading party, besides, it’s observed as pressure prior to trilateral presidential meeting.
No, no. There is no any pressure. I mentioned the reason. Everybody play around Karabakh conflict, both internal and external powers of Azerbaijan and Armenia. If OSCE intended to return Karabakh to Azerbaijan, it would have done it long ago, thus, there is other project, and other scenario, you see? If Russia intended to play games with Azerbaijan, like they write in Armenia, it would have done it long ago. You may observe our public reflections on our support to Minsk Group, from the work of which the sides are not so content, as within it Madrid Principles are put on the table, which observe return of certain regions.
In Armenia they don’t want to liberate them for different reasons: to maintain the security zone of Karabakh, as without supplementary guarantees they don’t want to withdraw them, on the other hand, it’s possible that Azerbaijan was removed from the map and those territories were engaged in the territory of new Armenia. All these preconditions should be taken into consideration. However, let’s observe the issue in a wider context: Russia completely functions with a tandem.
Mr. Tarasov, the Russian side is planning a presidential meeting in Saint Petersburg. On account of Igor Popov’s interview that there is a possibility for frame agreement, what plan will the new meeting have?
There is no independent Russian project. There is a tandem. Karabakhi people should live their ordinary life, freely, and from here we attempt to make decisions, find new settlement to reach a historical breakthrough. It’s very difficult to reach it, nobody has ready answers, however, work is being implemented in that direction. Russia positions itself as Armenia’s partner, it never betrayed Armenia.
Pay attention to the fact when the four-day war began, in the period of a few hours all high instances—RF MFA, RF MOD and the president himself took part in the process. If Moscow observed it as local conflict like it frequently happens in Karabakh, Moscow wouldn’t give that response, it realizes the after effects of those clashes from regional stability perspective. Not a single country reflected like Russia. It acted and currently a meeting is scheduled in Saint Petersburg, and is preparing some documents, and we’ll see what will come out of this. There are no new Russian plans.
By Araks Martirosyan
