Moses Hakobyan: So Many Foolish Orders Issued That the Army's Patience Has Run Out

Recognizing all those generals and officers, I can say that they are not random people. It is the entire leadership of the armed forces. This solidarity has been formed as a result of the political course pursued by this government over the past 2.5 years.

This was stated today, February 25, by Artsakh hero, General-Major, former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, former chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, and former chief military inspector Moses Hakobyan during the 'OraKhndir' program on ArmNews TV.

"When a person is an official and is part of their team, they are the best Minister of Defense, the best Chief of General Staff, but once they leave office, they try to blame all the faults on that person. This has been evident since the first day they came to power, blaming all their shortcomings, failures, and the defeat in the war on their predecessors. It's incomprehensible whether they are in power now or in opposition.

These people did not understand that they are leaders of the country and are responsible for everything. It is unacceptable to blame all failures on the previous authorities. In the military, it is accepted that attributing everything to predecessors is a way to evade responsibility, because both the military and the supreme commander reported the situation, and he should have made correct conclusions and made decisions—up to resigning if he found that the problem was beyond his capabilities.

He didn’t do that; on the contrary, he started making populist announcements and feeding the public, assuring them that we are ready for everything. He thwarted a diplomatic resolution and compelled the start of the war, leading our country to capitulation due to poor management during the war," said Moses Hakobyan.

On the Military and Police

"The leader of the country still does not understand what the army, national security, or police is. Following this heavy defeat, he does not accurately assess the situation of the army and makes a wrong decision—putting the law enforcement agencies against one another, as the difference in the balance of forces is very different. I advise anyone not to confront the army. I am confident that today’s servicemen and veterans will decisively overcome the forces that try to confront the army. On the other hand, I am certain that the army will never resort to violent actions.

I can imagine what state our generals have been driven to that they have made such a statement. The leader of the country must not forget that when there were riots in Yerevan on November 10, when everyone fled, the military leadership came out among the people and calmed them down. The army is wounded, but it is not dead. A wounded entity can fight. Statements that pit the people against each other, and the army against the police, are leading the country to destruction. He must understand that orders to arrest generals were previously given to the NSS, which were not executed because there are quite educated and patriotic citizens serving in the NSS, no matter how much they are criticized by both the government and the opposition.

I see that there has been no change of power in this country because today’s government speaks as if it were the opposition, as if it is not the leader of the country. The leader's words should not cause hesitation. The leader’s words must be verified a thousand times before being published. He has issued so many foolish orders that the army's patience has run out and no longer obeys. I have continuously conveyed to the Prime Minister in an indirect manner that it would be better for him not to speak about the army, because his knowledge about the army is as much as mine about atomic physics. He has no basic knowledge. I was thinking on the way that he must not have done well in military science classes at school. His statements, whether intentionally or due to his ignorance, are causing great harm to the army. What does it mean to force the army's generals to sign?

I have urged the Prime Minister before, and I still urge him that it would be better for him to go; he is harming this country. By remaining in power any longer, he is damaging the country. The people are slowly beginning to understand where the failed policies of this incompetent government are leading. Everyone is guilty—previous governments, judicial processes, volunteer fighters have fled; it will come to the point where the guilty party will be his mother for giving birth to him.

To dismiss a military general, there need to be reasons, and before dismissal, he must have several violations. The only reason for immediate dismissal can be the initiation of a criminal case and being found guilty by the court. A person who was granted the title of National Hero two months ago cannot be dismissed two months later. It doesn’t happen like that.

A bad leader always avoids strong people, while over the years our army has proven to be a strong structure. I know that during his governance, the Prime Minister has feared the army and tries to show through his orders that he is the commander. He declared himself a commander. That right must be earned. If all the commanders of the General Staff declare that they have signed, if they say you are not our commander, then who are you the commander of? Perhaps he can be the commander of protests; that seems to suit him quite well," said Moses Hakobyan.