I Am Entering Politics to Transform Our United Homeland Together

The former Secretary of the Security Council of Artsakh and former Commander of the Defense Army, Samvel Babayan, has made a pre-election appeal stating that he is returning to politics.

“Dear compatriots, today we face the danger of losing our statehood. I have warned about this danger for years on all possible platforms, to all leaders with open letters and direct messages. I have said that we have little time, that essentially we have no allies or partners who are willing to subordinate their interests for our sake. It is necessary to prepare a strong and powerful army, because only with our own strength can we protect ourselves and make others take us into account,” Babayan stated.

“My statements have been ignored, my proposals perceived as extremely radical, and my predictions considered exaggerated and impossible. For almost 20 years, I have fought against the indifference and ignorance of the political and military leadership of Armenia and Artsakh to prevent the looming war and avoid the deaths of thousands of our boys and the loss of Artsakh. Even during my time as Secretary of the Security Council of Artsakh, my suggestions to seriously address external threats and the issue of army rearmament were disregarded.

During the war, I encountered a despicable phenomenon—the political and military leadership’s unwillingness to act on my proposals to avoid later recognizing the legitimacy of the victorious solution. After all this, is it worth continuing to fight for the rebirth of our united Homeland and our people? I can remind you of the saying that every nation deserves its leader, and stepping aside without obstructing those who fight for power will ultimately destroy Armenia. But I realize I do not have the right to betray the memory of our boys who fell for the cause of their fathers in the first war in Artsakh.

I cannot remain indifferent while my invincible nation is being turned into a broken and hopeless population, fragmented in political squabbles. I do not want our army to remain broken and our soldier defenseless. I cannot tolerate that the enemy rules my land, trampling on my people's rights. That is why I am entering politics again, to together transform our united Homeland. We once did this, and the situation then was more severe than now. The Karabakh movement, which began in 1988, turned into military conflict within two years. By 1990, armed clashes were occurring between our partisan groups and the Azerbaijani forces.

In 1991, a large-scale war broke out. Azerbaijan had a powerful army, equipped with artillery and heavy equipment, while we had only separate, fragmented voluntary groups, armed mainly with makeshift rifles, and later with weapons seized from the enemy. Within a year, the Azerbaijani army managed to reach Martuni, capturing the entire Shahumyan region, 90% of the Martakert region, and several villages in Askeran and Hadrut, meaning they had taken almost half of the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh (1,800 km²). At that time, Azerbaijan's leadership was already proclaiming the dates for a victorious tea party and the raising of their flag in Stepanakert and Shushi.

At that time, did anyone from the political and military leadership of Armenia or Artsakh take responsibility for the territorial and human losses? No. The same thing happened then as now. No one wanted to take responsibility for the results, no one wanted to be guilty, and no one wanted to take responsibility for the future fate of Artsakh and the Artsakh people, because, like today, we were crushed and weak, and no one saw a way out.

However, I clearly understood that there was a path to salvation: a strong, combat-ready army. And I took that on. I repeat, under conditions more severe than today. Back then, instead of an army, there were fragmented partisan groups, occasionally conflicting with each other. There was virtually no armament, territories were under enemy control, and the remaining towns and villages were destroyed and subjected to intense bombardment by the adversary. But I took that on.

I started from scratch: transforming independent military groups into a unified army with the strictest military discipline and a clear hierarchical structure. It was necessary to explain to the fighters, who had been fighting independently until then, that from now on they must unconditionally obey orders and act solely on that basis, and I—at 27 years old—managed to do that. Within five and a half months, we had an exemplary army under operational command. I meticulously developed every operation, and soon under my leadership, we not only regained the captured territories but also liberated the regions of Kelbajar, Aghdam, Fizuli, Lachin, Kubatlu, Zangelan, and Jebrayil—almost 10,000 km².

We are a heroic people—invincible and unbreakable. We only need to gather and lead the pan-Armenian, national potential in a competent manner. Of course, this requires leadership, analytical, and management skills. The 44-day war and our defeat once again proved that without a leader, the army is decapitated, and victory is impossible.

Over two years, we became a real force capable of imposing our will on the enemy. We made it so that not only Azerbaijan but also all intermediaries had to take us into account. During that time, we had the most combat-ready army in the region. And whether some want to accept this fact or not, this is my personal achievement, which I rightfully share with my people, because only with the unconditional support of our people was the impossible made possible.

Unfortunately, that powerful army has been intentionally dismantled over the next 20 years, while the victory of the nation has been attributed to anyone without a hint of conscience. I no longer objected to this. I was no longer surprised by either my people's short memory or the audacity of the rulers. I was ready to remain in the shadows forever, limiting myself to advisory activities, provided my proposals would be implemented, and my advice sought.

Unfortunately, only after the outcome of the 44-day war did you realize that I was right. You saw the miserable condition of our army and the incompetence of the senior military officers, as well as the political leadership of Armenia and Artsakh. The price for ignoring my proposals to properly organize air defense, secure the airspace, and strengthen the front was paid by our people—with the lives of thousands of our boys and the loss of the victory achieved by the heroes of the first war.

You all saw how the former and current leaders of the army, the chiefs of staff, and some generals actively evade responsibility for the outcome of the 44-day war, trying at all costs to remove their own guilt. And these are almost the same leaders and generals who, after removing me, convinced you for more than 20 years that the victory in the first war in Artsakh was their achievement.

Back then I said we had little time; today I assert that we no longer have time. The enemy is not at the borders of Armenia; the enemy has already crossed the borders. At the same time, despite the impending disaster, our political life continues to remain in a vacuum. Our politicians persistently fail to notice the sword hanging over our heads while actively dividing power. Today we all witness that the conflicting political forces are ready to do anything to maintain or come to power. To achieve this goal, they will stop at nothing and are already using vast financial resources.

The aforementioned external and internal threats compel me to take the decision to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections. I am obliged to enter politics to represent my political team as a stabilizing force, balancing and stabilizing the extreme elements, so we do not allow fatal mistakes and force them to take into account the real agenda and external dangers.

I objectively and soberly evaluate the potential of political forces, particularly media and financial resources, but that does not diminish our chances. Yes, we do not have the corresponding financial and media resources, but I hope that our people will make a sober and correct choice this time and support us. I declare with full responsibility that there is a solution, and I am fully prepared and determined to once again create an invincible and powerful army that will inevitably ensure the peace of our Homeland.

Today is the time for all those who are not indifferent, who realize the seriousness of the moment, and are ready to subordinate their personal interests for the welfare of the nation. And that is exactly what the “Liberal” party team is like, with whom I plan to participate in the elections. We understand what challenges lie ahead for Armenia and know the ways to solve them.

Dear compatriots, I urge you not to be indifferent to the fate of our country, to unite with us, and support us for the rebirth of our united Homeland, where the security and safety of our people and country will once again become a state priority,” the statement concludes.