The Cause of Defeat Was Primarily Political: Ishkhan Saghatelyan

For the first time in 29 years, we are celebrating the Army Day with our heads down. This was stated today, January 28, during a conversation with journalists at the "Yerablur" military pantheon by Ishkhan Saghatelyan, representative of the Supreme Body of the ARF (Armenian Revolutionary Federation) in Armenia.

"Yes, the Armenian army, the Armenian soldier did not lose in this war. The cause of the defeat was primarily political. I am confident that the Republic of Armenia will have a strong army, an army that protects the borders of Armenia, and that will happen in the near future," he mentioned.

Regarding the question of why there have been no acts of disobedience recently, Saghatelyan said, "Yesterday, the council of the Homeland Salvation Movement held a meeting and issued a statement. The first rally is scheduled for February 18. The statements of the Homeland Salvation Movement are in effect; there will soon be both protest marches and demonstrations, as well as movements of disobedience."

Saghatelyan noted that they are accused of indecisive actions, but they have stated what the path is to remove this government. "Yes, there is a popular demand for Nikol Pashinyan's resignation, but we have not been able to turn that demand into a nationwide struggle, and we will. The claims that the movement has ended or cooled off do not correspond to reality because I do not think that a government that has surrendered the majority of the homeland and brought so many misfortunes upon our people can remain in power," he emphasized.

He stressed that decisiveness has always existed and will continue to exist in the future.

Touching upon the return of Armenia's second president, Robert Kocharyan, to politics, and whether the political agenda of the 17 parties aligns with Kocharyan's agenda, Saghatelyan stated, "Kocharyan is not saying anything different from what the movement of the 17 is saying. We have published our roadmap and continue to move forward in adherence to it; Robert Kocharyan has essentially not said anything in opposition to that."