Armenian President Deceives Russia, While Leaning Toward the West: Sefilian

Jirair Sefilian, member of the Sardarapat movement, speaking to journalists in Yerevan today, commented on the possibility of a revolution in Armenia from the West.

“If the main opposition — I’m referring to HAK [the Armenian National Congress] — are prepared to go to elections with [Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan, what is the use of the West? We need to remember what has been the main strategic goal of the West here in the last 15–20 years: as soon as possible, a weakening of Russian influence in the South Caucasus,” he said.

In the opposition activist’s opinion, “there’s no difference between the Ter-Petrossian and Serzh Sargsyan camps” in strategic terms when it comes to Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia-Turkey relations.

“If If there’s a difference here, it’s in the tactical minutiae; thus, the day when Armenia-Turkey relations begin to improve, the next question that’ll be raised is what are Russian forces doing here — after that their presence will become meaningless,” he said.

Further, Sefilian added, “The Russians are being deceived because Serzh Sargsyan has much deeper ties with the West than with Russia.”