Why the Ceasefire in Artsakh Was Not Established in 1994: Vazgen Manukyan Reflects on Events from 20 Years Ago

The opposition's prime ministerial candidate, Vazgen Manukyan, met with young people to answer their questions. During the meeting, Manukyan addressed why a definitive end to the war in Artsakh was not established in 1994, considering that at the time the Armenian side was winning and only a ceasefire agreement was signed.

Manukyan noted that even before his time as prime minister, when he was the coordinator of the Karabakh Committee, detachments were being formed amidst ongoing combat along the borders. "When I became prime minister, we established armed forces within the police. We called upon the fedayees to join, and those who did not join had to lay down their arms, as we did not need Maoist fighters or irregular detachments. The next step was the Defense Committee. At that time, we were still in the Soviet Union. But the real events of the war began when I was already out of the position and in opposition," he stated, adding that he had been in Vaghuhas and the Martakert region, as defeats began to occur. Following victories in Shushi and Lachin, setbacks began.

“At that time, I was offered to become the Minister of Defense, and I accepted the offer, leading to the restructuring of the army. Later, we took Karvachar, and Martakert was returned; there was the Kapan operation, and we were already taking Akna. At that time, Levon Ter-Petrosyan suggested I step down. Probably, it was dangerous for me to remain for long. I said that I would not voluntarily step down, just as I did not from the prime ministership, as I had a moral obligation. I stated that they could remove me, and I would not do anything about it. I stepped down.

During the 1994 agreement, I was in opposition and do not know many details. Sometimes I think that a better agreement could have been reached, but those who participated in it, like Davit Shahbazyan, as well as my conversations with Samvel Babayan, are convinced that it was not possible. So, it remains an open question.