Levon Ter-Petrosyan Proposes to Freeze the Investigation of the April War Circumstances

The article by the first President of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, has been published on the ilur.am website, titled "Driven by the War Situation." The article states:

“Due to the pandemic, Armenia is currently in a war situation that is much more severe and dangerous than during traditional wars. Unlike the latter, there is no front line today; the enemy's firing positions are undetectable, and the trenches and bunkers are useless. The virus is everywhere and invisible; it strikes from the front, the sides, the rear, and from the air. No one is immune to infection and severe losses—a bitter truth that every one of us must keep in mind without panic, with a heightened sense of responsibility.

Wars are conducted not by the masses or opposing political forces, but by the authorities of the day, regardless of whether they are good or bad. In mature states, internal political struggle is suspended during wartime—according to written or unwritten laws—to allow the authorities to focus solely on controlling and overcoming the situation. In my impression, the Armenian authorities are, perhaps with some mistakes and shortcomings (there is no infallible authority), responding responsibly to their obligations, taking all necessary and possible steps arising from the situation.

Judging by the society's responses, the activities of healthcare workers, the police, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations are generally evaluated positively; however, the significant role of the officials coordinating their work—the Emergency State Commissioner and the Minister of Health—is unjustly downplayed.

However, while the authorities are busy almost around the clock with diligent work, a vast army of unappreciated geniuses, provocateurs, and malcontents, under the control of known forces and backed by countless media outlets and hundreds of fake accounts, has effectively opened a second front against them. Under the guise of seemingly helpful advice and constructive proposals, such hatred and animosity towards the authorities are sown that raise serious doubts about the “friendliness” of their authors. The majority of government critics are driven not by the desire to assist in overcoming the situation but, on the contrary, by the intention to obstruct it and thus gain political dividends—something that, while natural in ordinary conditions, is tantamount to state treason during wartime.

In light of all this, I believe that the following necessary steps, which require considerable effort, could help alleviate the current unnatural and dangerous political situation:

1. By all propaganda and educational means, compel society to comply with the orders of the Emergency State Commissioner and the Minister of Health and strictly follow their directives.
2. Cease propaganda and actions aimed at sowing distrust and hatred towards the authorities, leaving the accounting question for the future.
3. Express private advice and suggestions concerning anti-epidemic measures and related social issues not publicly and demonstratively but directly addressing them to the emergency headquarters, creating a special group within it to study and, if appropriate, implement them.
4. Freeze the work of the parliamentary commission investigating the circumstances of the April War, which creates unnecessary agitation in an already tense atmosphere in the country.
5. Put an end to the ongoing turmoil regarding elections in Artsakh and ensure the complete governability of the republic by promptly forming new governing bodies.
6. Hope that Armenia's second and third presidents will order the media under their control to immediately cease their fierce combat against the authorities, thus not missing this opportunity to demonstrate behavior befitting state officials.

Finally, it might not be unnecessary to note that at this critical moment, anyone who disrupts, does not support, and creates additional problems for the authorities jeopardizes not only the country’s security but also the lives of their close ones. I believe in the wisdom of our people and in their ability to unite in times of trial.