Georgia: Suspected Russian Spies Released
Civil Georgia now reports that the earlier BBC report was correct. Georgian President has agreed to hand over the four Russians military officers suspected of spying to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Georgia will release four Russian military officers arrested on espionage charges, President Saakashvili said on October 2 after talks with visiting OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht.
But he stressed that release of the Russia officers is “a good gesture towards our western friends,” and not a response to threats voiced by Russia’s leaders.
“The agreement has been reached to hand over arrested Russian officers to the OSCE, to the OSCE Chairman-in-Office,” Saakashvili said.
Comment by Onnik — October 2, 2006 @ 7:41 pm
Comment by Onnik — October 2, 2006 @ 7:53 pm
I bet there are some politicians and businessmen in Armenia who would benefit from a tighter blockade. They can blame their incompetence on outside forces, leaving corruption issues sidelined.
Who knows, maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. Since our primary trade route will be blocked, it’s an opportunity to lower our dependency on Georgia, we can focus a bit more on Iran, perhaps the ridiculous profiteering involved to transport through Georgian territories might be a thing of the past.
Comment by Esoteric — October 3, 2006 @ 3:06 am
Right, there will be some individuals in Armenia who will benefit from a tighter blockade, but many others who won’t — i.e. read much of the population. As for a blessing in disguise, not really. Build up trade routes with Iran and lower our dependency on Georgia?
Well, maybe were it not for a few things such as mountainous terrain in the south making travel in the Winter not only slow but dangerous, and of course the fact that the railway from Yerevan to Iran goes through Nakhichevan so its non-functional.
And of course, many people would warn agains putting all Armenian eggs in an Iranian basket in case we find ourselves blockaded on all borders. Basically, Iran isn’t exactly a good choice for planning long-term trade with given the post-911 world.
Instead, the argument — which is kind of the same as what you’re saying — is that there is the need to diversify and spread trade routes out. Actually, when something like this happens, the effect of the closed border with Turkey becomes more apparent.
Comment by Onnik — October 3, 2006 @ 1:57 pm
I personally don’t see any other basket to put our eggs in.
If you’re suggesting trade with Turkey, that’s a pretty morbid thought. From a political and economic standpoint it would be suicide to negotiate border reopening with Turkey.
We would have to make some serious compromises that would destroy all that we’ve worked for over the last 90 years. Besides the flood of Turkish products and the destruction of local industry, all hope of moral justice will be lost.
Comment by Esoteric — October 3, 2006 @ 3:40 pm
The border was not closed by Armenia and is not being kept closed by Armenia either. Besides, the Georgian-Turkish border is open and Georgia is not flooded with Turkish products. Simply, whether the border opening would adversely affect Armenia has more to do with the internal economic and trade policies of the Government otherwise every country would close their borders. Perhaps Canada should close its border with the U.S, for example.
Anyway, the Armenian Government wants the border open as do most Armenian businessmen. It is necessary for the economy to grow in most areas and the Russian border closure with Georgia makes this more important. The Iranian border isn’t going to help much because it will just add time and extra costs thus making goods most expensive both ways. Likewise, given U.S. policy towards Iran, it’s quite a gamble.
I daresay that if the Russian-Georgian border remains closed for some time then many businessmen as well as Government officials will highlight the need for the Turkish border to be opened. That said, we’re missing the point. Armenia must make it clear to Russia in no uncertain terms that it must not blockade Georgia unless it wants to force Armenia into looking in other directions for its survival.
Iran is a non-starter. Communication is only via road, and only certain goods and services such as electricity and gas are really viable in terms of importing and expecting. Ironically, it’s these two commodities that might bring Armenia, Georgia and Iran closer together and this week or last, the Ministers of Energy of all three of these countries signed an agreement in this regard. But basically, you’re arguing the same as many critics of Moscow.
What you’re saying is it’s time for Armenia to move away from dependency on Russia and to look elsewhere. I would say, however, that opening a border and establishing diplomatic links does not mean forgetting historical problems as Kocharian even explained in his interview with Al Jazeera.
Or, of course, by the same logic applied to the Armenia-Turkish border, have the Russians done Georgia a favour by closing the border and all communication links? Actually, and somewhat ironically, in the eyes of Europe and the United States, perhaps they have. It might bring more support for them, but I wonder, if the border remains closed for long, what will Yerevan have to do?
Comment by Onnik — October 3, 2006 @ 4:11 pm
« insert alot of - yeses, I agrees, humming, umms and ahhs - here »
“Without any preconditions…” Either that’s early signs of delusion, or desperation.
“The border was not closed by Armenia and is not being kept closed by Armenia either.” Ignoring EU pressure for a second; what’s going to convince the Turks to open the border if the Artsakh issue isn’t resolved? Concession rings a bell.
There’s also political/economic pressuring once the border is open again. When I think of Armenia, a recurring theme of “putty” keeps popping-up. The EU angle is a Golden-Hammer-of-Thor opportunity, if we lose it, I think we can say good-night aspirations.
Also, you used Canada as a comparison to Armenia; relativity mate. Canada is a whole world apart, in more ways than one… Although I would highly recommend the Canadian government close their border, build a 20 foot high wall along it and stop accepting “free”-”trade” “agreements”.
Anyway, neighbourly relations with the formation of the Israeli-Turkish-Georgian-Azeri BTC bloc makes for some slim pickings, that’s for sure. Especially with so much riding on it (oil, gas, water).
Iiiii dunno; my opinion is that justice can never be grey, maybe I’m just too black and white minded.
Comment by Esoteric — October 3, 2006 @ 6:11 pm