The Choice between NATO vs. CSTO Value Systems is an Issue on the Political Agenda

Several days ago, an Armenian Delegation made a study visit to NATO-Brussels. The group included representatives from the RA MoD, an MP from ARF, and media representatives.

Artur Sakunts, Chairman of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor, was also among the delegation. Some of the issues raised by him during the meeting in Brussels become reasons for some government controlled media, both television companies and electronic websites, to give ‘patriotism’ lessons. The latter were not pleased that, when discussing the violation of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) by Azerbaijan, Sakunts pointed a finger at Armenia as well.

This was the reason for our conversation with Artur Sakunts.

The human rights activist informed 1in.am that they discussed several important topics: namely, what are the relationships between NATO, the RF and NATO relationships, NATO-South Caucasus relations, and the NATO-Armenia Individual Action Plan. Referring to the recent clamor in Armenia over the statements he made in Brussels, and the accusations of “treachery”, Sakunts noted: “One of the questions thatI find important, is the CFE Treaty, which was signed in 1990, when we were still a part of the Soviet Union.Taking into consideration that OSCE Minsk Group is working towards NK regulation and its co-chairs, the USA and France, are members of NATO, one of my questions was that if we look at the years of 2005-2006, we can clearly see that military expenses have increased both in Azerbaijan and in Armenia, however, predominantly in Azerbaijan. Therefore, isn’t the absence of control over the restrictions on the conventional armed forces defined by the Istanbul agreement and the violations of those rules, of NATO’s concern as well, since NATO has an Individual Action Plan both with Armenia and with Azerbaijan?Thus, the logic is as follows: the reforms in Armed Forces, which are inevitable, cannot cause an increase of military expenses.”

Sakunts added that we are dealing with an institution that has an absolutely different value system and it is a fact that it is an effective system. “We are in a different security system, which is CSTO, but we are unaware of its value system. In terms of reforms, one of the issues whichare being ignored is how NATO assesses the fact that Armenia is in a completely different security system. If the reforms of the Armed Forces are conducted according to the NATO value system, isn’t there a contradiction with the other value system that we are a part of? This is a serious challenge. At least from the aspect of constitutional norms or as a country attempting to build a democratic state, we should focus on the value system that corresponds to the principles we have declared. And that is the NATO security system,” emphasized Sakunts.

Sakunts values not only cooperation with NATO, but also the development of membership: “The Armenian Political Powers should clearly speak before the constituency to orient themselves. We cannot declare democratic principles and remain a hostage to the Conservative Soviet System. There were many conflict situations between NATO member states, but the Alliance proved that they were prevented. For example, although there was some  tension between Greece and Turkey, there was no war. Thus the Alliance not only restrains but is also a clear security system.”

Sakunts also stated that although he is a human rights activist, he views the issue from the political perspective: “The RA political powers, especially before parliamentary elections, should send clear messages to the public.  If we favor democracy but remain in the authoritarian system, it is a serious problem. In essence, we are trapped. And by the trap, I mean the Russian political dominance factor. IF our political powers do not give clear answers, it seriously should bother every citizen, because the issue is the right to life, the right to freedom of speech, and the choice to have a legal state. What kind of value system does the RF propose to its citizens that it can propose to us?  The selection of value systems becomes an important issue on our political agenda and it is obvious that the RF has nothing to offer us.” 

The chairman of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor noticed that instead of addressing these issues, the media switches the discourse to another area. “Stirring the water again, and giving fake, pseudo-patriotic assessments, testify that we do not have a political will to adopt the democratic value system, which is the most effective system, and this is a serious challenge.”

Sakunts added that today, in fact, the Armenian political powers are not consistent both in terms of democratic values and the selection of security systems: “Whichever security system the country selects, shows what the country is like. As long as we are a member of CSTO, we cannot have democracy. In order to get out of this deadlock, our political powers should start expressing their opinions. Everybody is responsible; everybody should clearly answer this question: How can we get out of this Russian Swamp?”  

Source: Zhamanak Daily
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