Following in Russia's Wake Is Favoured by 90% Armenians

Over 90% of Armenia's population would like to become close to Russia. This is according to the statement made live in a Radio-1 programme by Aram Karapetian, Doctor of Political Science, about to run for Armenia's President. 'Where geopolitics are concerned', he said, 'Armenia will always follow in Russia's wake. This is not President's but the people's choice made as long ago as 300 years.'

In the meantime, Dr. Karapetian emphasised that he was not talking of joining Russia followed by the loss of Armenia's sovereignty. He said that, after the collapse of the USSR, living conditions in Armenia had deteriorated rapidly. A whole of 1.5 million Armenians left the country, the remaining mostly living below poverty line. 'Yet ', he concluded, 'not a single Armenian, not even a Communist, will consider actually becoming a part of Russia'.