Temporary Government Should Be Established from All Political Forces and Capable Individuals: Message from the Leader of the BHK

Today, the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), Gagik Tsarukyan, was supposed to deliver a speech here, but as you know, at the order of the authorities and Nikol Pashinyan himself, the National Security Service (NSS) has been summoned, preventing him from speaking to you. This was stated today, December 5, during a rally of the "Homeland Salvation Movement" in Liberty Square by BHK faction member Iveta Tonoyan, adding that Tsarukyan has sent a message from the NSS.

It is noteworthy that during the time of the rally, Tsarukyan has once again been summoned for questioning by the NSS.

Tonoyan presented the message, stating: "My dear Armenian people, brothers and sisters from Artsakh, I should have been here beside you in Liberty Square, I should have spoken with you about the situation that has afflicted our country and about the options for searching for ways out. But as you know, once again due to the cowardly hands of the authorities, I am currently at the NSS. I have been called for questioning once more. The authorities have once again proven that they are terrified of me, doing everything possible to keep me from meeting with my people. I repeat, Nikol Pashinyan should be afraid not of me, but of the consequences of his disgraceful policies, the anger of his people, the outrage of the around 100,000 Artsakh people who are now homeless and stateless, and the fury of parents who have lost their children."

"Instead of addressing the issues faced by our people and homeland, Nikol Pashinyan continues the political persecution against me. To hold onto his chair, he is ready for the basest of actions. As painful as it is to talk about this, I predicted months ago that due to the disgraceful policies pursued by our country's authorities, imminent danger is looming. I announced six months ago that these authorities must leave. It was not my personal wish or ambition; it was a step aimed at preventing imminent danger. At that time, my primary concern was the security of Artsakh."

"I stated back on June 5 that one must have exceptional talent to deteriorate relations with strategic partners to such an extent. That strategic partner, the Russian Federation, once again proved that with centuries-old friendship, it reached out to help us during these difficult days and stood beside the Armenian people. On June 16, from the podium of the National Assembly, I declared that the authorities must openly state what Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev are negotiating about. Of course, the basis for Nikol Pashinyan's resignation was also the fracture of the economic backbone, the failure to fight corruption, the deterioration of relations with partners in the external world, and numerous other factors. But my number one concern was and remains Artsakh and its security. After the disgraceful capitulation of Artsakh, there is no alternative to Nikol Pashinyan's resignation. There has never been a case in any country where a leader who has lost, who has knelt to the enemy, continues to govern."

"A new government must be formed, capable of conducting new negotiations. Of course, as sad as it is to say, at this stage, we cannot bring back Artsakh, but at least a new government can minimize the consequences of the disgraceful document that was signed as a result of negotiations and can maintain the dignity of the negotiation process, conducting negotiations that protect our national interests with the external world."

"But what are we seeing nowadays? Instead of Nikol Pashinyan admitting his and his team's disgraceful defeat, apologizing, and quietly leaving, every day he tries to justify himself. He attempts to blame others for his defeat. For him, everyone is to blame—the army, the commanders, the former presidents of the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh, strategic partners, parliamentary and extra-parliamentary forces, but never himself. This is also a manifestation of weakness. Because to accept one’s own defeat, a person must have dignity and courage. Nikol Pashinyan continues to deceive the public with false narratives, diverting their attention. In the history of our people, after the genocide, I do not remember such a heavy and tragic page. We lost 73% of Artsakh, we lost our best boys. Remember when on July 16, I asked Nikol Pashinyan from the podium of the Assembly if it was acceptable to fool people while drinking coffee? Various representatives of the government said that there would be no anti-Armenian solution regarding Artsakh. Pashinyan said that the solution to the issue of Artsakh must satisfy the three parties: the peoples of Armenia, Artsakh, and Azerbaijan. As a result, we saw from the disgraceful capitulation document signed behind the people's backs that the solution satisfied only the Azerbaijani people."

"My heart aches when I see how an Artsakh resident burns his home so that it does not remain for the Turk. Believe me, it is painful to see the mothers of soldiers who are knocking on the doors of all state offices, pleading to at least retrieve their sons' bodies and give them back to the soil. Believe me, Nikol Pashinyan's persona does not concern me at all. A man who lacked the manly dignity to admit his mistakes, who lacked the state mindset to apologize and leave, for me, such a person no longer exists. Nikol Pashinyan is already the past; he will leave. Both he and all those responsible for this defeat will receive their punishment before the law. Pashinyan continues to blame everyone for this, even the President of Russia, who knows the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiating process much better than Nikol does."

"Today, I want to speak about our upcoming actions. The country is on the verge of destruction; Nikol Pashinyan is handing over not only what he is obliged to but every day we see how the Turk enters Sotk and says, ‘I need to advance a few more kilometers.’ The fate of our regions bordering Syunik and Azerbaijan and their residents is in danger. Only by uniting all healthy forces can we stop this calamity brought by Nikol. You already know that the candidate for Prime Minister of the ‘Homeland Salvation Movement,’ formed by 16 parties and respected intellectuals within society, is the first Prime Minister of Armenia, Vazgen Manukyan. I am confident that he can, and with all our help, overcome the issues facing our country today. Under his leadership, we can form a transitional temporary government, building relations with the only guarantor of security in the region, our main friend and strategic partner, Russia, to create a roadmap to save what is still possible to save."

"With this government, no country will negotiate anymore because the person occupying the position of Prime Minister has deceived everyone; no one will give money to our country because no one takes this government seriously. We must create a national salvation government, which should comprise only professionals. The program of the national salvation government must aim to save what can still be saved from Artsakh and Armenia and prevent territorial losses. We must immediately address the issues of prisoners of war, missing persons, and the exchange of bodies, and resolve the vital problems facing the people of Artsakh as soon as possible. After solving these urgent issues, we must go to snap parliamentary elections, so that a government is formed that should never consist of random people without any background, accountability, or experience. There needs to be a team approach, team work. A temporary government should be formed from all political forces and capable individuals. The name does not matter here. The negotiator must change as soon as possible. I am confident that the Armenian people can straighten their backs and move forward."