Aliyev Wants to Seize Part of Armenia; We Need a Strong Army – Samvel Babayan

Samvel Babayan's press service has issued a statement in which Babayan addresses his relations with Russian circles: “Both the recent war and the further developments have shown how much Russia is interested in the region and, accordingly, in the people in power in Armenia. Placing 'bets' on specific individuals and promoting them is a common process for all great powers. They usually choose and support potential leaders who enjoy the trust and positive attitude of the majority of the population.

In the case of Russia, this rule did not apply, as besides the special services and regional authorities, there are also private groups here that pursue their own interests, which have no connection with the Russian state interests. Before the Artsakh elections, I was approached by this fifth column to support and promote their candidate, Vitaly Balasanyan. The latter is a rather submissive and manageable individual, which indicates that he would become a suitable local executor and implement the program of separating Artsakh from Armenia. The only issue was his low rating among the population.

At that time, Garnik Isagulyan, who has been working for the fifth column for a long time while also serving different circles, including the interests of the Kocharyan-Serzh faction, approached me with such a proposal. I categorically refused to become a participant in this anti-Armenian program and preferred the interests of my Homeland over the promised personal benefits.

After being rejected for cooperation, Isagulyan resorted to threats. I was informed that a dirty campaign would be launched against me through the media and that I would be deprived of the right to enter Russia. Despite knowing who I was dealing with, I assumed that they would not go beyond threats. However, through intrigues and false reports directed at the Russians claiming that pressure needed to be applied to me, they managed to extract that restriction.

Nevertheless, I have no regrets about my decision, even paying such a price. I have often said and I reiterate that I accept the political and state actor's position only if it is pro-Armenian, and any other behavior is unacceptable to me. Yes, I have always emphasized that based on our country's geographical position, we are called to partner with Russia, but this partnership must truly be equal.

I've always expressed myself openly, and if I have criticized Russia, it has been due to the erroneous actions and decisions directed towards my unified Homeland. And while I am always ready for dialogue and cooperation with the official representatives of the Russian Federation, I have nothing to discuss with the fifth columns.

Recently, those groups have become active again following the parliamentary elections in Armenia. Moreover, today they have split into numerous branches, each striving to prove their pro-Russian orientation without hesitation, even at the expense of the interests of the Armenian people and state. Of course, I can advise those repeatedly resold groups to stop presenting their personal interests as the state interests of Russia, but I understand that it is a meaningless waste of time.

Therefore, I address my compatriots and urge them to soberly analyze any information, not to believe in the falsehoods and manipulations of the media presented by the fifth column. We have only one way out, and it is well known. We need a strong army. And we need that not to wage war, but to impose peace on our terms. Recently, Aliyev announced the increase in the size of his army and military budget. This means that he wants to seize part of Armenia as well. Therefore, we must hurry. No one will come from outside to save the Armenian people from the external enemy. We must do it ourselves. This is the paramount state interest of Armenia. And all those who have worked toward the division of Armenians and the weakening of our country must finally come to their senses, at least now, when we are facing the threat of existence.”