By Kamal Ali
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at a recent meeting with theGeorgian ambassador in Tehran that the entire region will benefit from aplanned railway link that will connect Iran with Georgia via Azerbaijan. Hesaid nothing about construction of an Armenia-Iran railroad, which was one ofthe issues discussed during Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Tehranlast year.
On 3 September, Sargsyan decided that Armenia should join the Russia-ledCustoms Union, effectively bowing to Russianpressure. And then Rouhani “forgot” about the planned railway link to Armenia.
In an interview with the Yerevan-based news website 1news.am, Igor Muradyan, a leading Armenian political analyst, said Armenia is not in a position to stand by its own national interests.
Interestingly enough, Muradyan avoided the word “Armenia” in reference tohis place of residence. He instead used terms indicating that the country is infact a colony.
“Iran is fed up with the endless dictates and caprice by Russia inrelation to the South Caucasus country that is a vassal, and is not in aposition to speak about its own interests and has no voting right,” Muradyansaid. “You cannot build relations with a vassal. The issue of [ending] theisolation of a vassal probably is not a top priority [for Iran]. The priorityis to build new communication links to the north-west, i.e. to Europe.”
Iran views Russia as a hostile country that has long hampered itsdevelopment. Now all Russian obstacles in Iran’s way will be removed and thevassal, Armenia, will have no place in regional politics, Muradyan said.
Over the past 20 years, the United States and NATO have sought to engagethe Russian vassal, trying to develop political and military ties with it. However,the West came to realize that it does not need Armenia.
In Armenia, some people cannot believe this could have happened. Some othersdid not hide their gaiety. Both Armenians are collectively called a vassal nation,Muradyan said.
“Okay, what stepsshould we take now?” the 1news.am correspondent asked.
“”There won’t be anysteps,” Muradyan replied. “Who will take steps, vassals in shackles?”
Muradyan told anexemplary story of a young ethnic Armenian student at a Washington universitywho was planning to do his doctoral thesis on his historical homeland.
His mentor at theuniversity managed to persuade him, saying no one is interested in that vassal country.
Bakudaily.az
