Seyran Ohanyan on Organizing 'Colorful Events'

Leader of the "Armenia" faction Seyran Ohanyan gave an interview to the Parliamentmonitoring website:

- Opposition members criticize Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for the intention to organize "colorful events" on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of independence. Do you think that due to the heavy defeat in the 44-day war, we should not celebrate Independence Day this year?

- In the past, each such anniversary was highlighted by a military parade. If we cannot hold a parade today, we must adapt to reality, as such opportunities no longer exist after the war. Discussing colorful events is premature, inappropriate, and devoid of morality. We have not fully summarized the results of the war, and the government has yet to provide a realistic assessment of the situation. This is evidenced by the activities of the National Assembly over the past month – the formation of parliamentary bodies and discussions on the government program. Secondly, we have not yet passed the one-year mark of our great tragedy. Under this situation, I do not find it appropriate to hold colorful events. This proves that the government does not master the situation, does not realize what has happened to the Republic of Armenia and the condition of the country. Secondly, a state commission is being created for holding anniversary events. I do not know whether this commission has been created. If a commission is established, there will be other people who will propose that in this reality, we should conduct a thorough analysis, assess the situation, and even if it is the day of the state’s independence, and a festive occasion, it should be held in accordance with the situation, within the framework of modesty. However, the 30th anniversary of independence is worth celebrating, if only to unite the people within the country and to get out of this mental state. But it should be celebrated modestly, without insulting our victims and our heroes who have accomplished brave acts on the battlefield. It should also be marked in the international arena to show that it is the 30th anniversary of our state's independence.

- After the heavy events of the past year, how do you assess the state of our country as an independent state?

- The defeat in the war has its reasons. Firstly, one of the causes of the war is that we have squandered our international cooperation resources and wasted all the negotiating potential of the Minsk Group around Artsakh. And where there is no negotiation, war begins. This indicates that the war started because we have suffered certain losses in negotiations, foreign policy, and security. Now that the war is over, the Azerbaijani soldiers are at our borders or in some places within our territory, and the state is incapable of removing them. In this situation, it is evident that we cannot speak of full independence and full sovereignty. But everything must be done to get Armenia and Artsakh out of this situation.

- You say that the current authorities have squandered resources, but they respond by saying that the former ones squandered and brought the situation to war. They claim there was widespread corruption and theft in the country and the army, stating that the military was not well-equipped, that the borders were not properly secured, and that the defeat was the result of this. They recall the former president Serzh Sargsyan's words that negotiations are at a dead end and Azerbaijan is preparing for war.

- It is impossible to answer that question briefly, but I will try. As a result of long years of negotiations and the coordinated activities of our security system, we have managed to impose on the adversary not to start large-scale military operations, even though there have always been violations along the contact line. As for the negotiations, all documents have been aimed at ensuring that we can work on them and maintain relative peace. And measures taken to improve the army have created the basis for the Armenian army to accomplish its mission for many years – to maintain our country’s territorial integrity and security. What they say can be classified as fairy tales, because at least I know what has happened in the Armed Forces. And today I’m once again convinced that the saying holds true, that it takes years to build but only a short time to destroy.

- The National Assembly is one of the important institutions of our state, representing independence. You are now a deputy. How do you assess the start of the new parliament and the incidents that occurred during the first sessions?

- I think that parliamentary governance is unacceptable for us, as the entire electoral and party system is not fully formed. For me, presidential or semi-presidential governance is acceptable, considering my previous profession.

- A military profession?

- Yes, because for the military, unilateral leadership is a fundamental principle, although people do not know that the principle of discussion is best expressed in our case. If everyone expresses their opinion according to their desire in political activity, that is, without forcing anyone, in the military, the commander makes the decision while listening to everyone. And I do not think that the National Assembly is in a better condition today. First of all, the presence of a political majority leads to manifestations of monarchical characteristics in the actions of the state. Secondly, the almost military situation that exists today in the National Assembly and actions against the media do not speak of democracy. For the sake of ensuring pluralism, contrary to our debates and criticisms, they try to hold all events under the guise of constructive work. They did not succeed in that because we tried to expose their remote intentions and approaches, the real and shadowy purposes of their actions.

- What is that purpose?

- Allow me not to talk about it, as it will be very lengthy.

Details on the source website.