Pashinyan is Right, Says Movses Hakobyan: 'Haykakan Jamanak'

In an interview with Public Television yesterday, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan referenced the establishment of a commission investigating the circumstances of the 44-day war. According to Pashinyan, it must be proven in the commission that since taking office, he has never told the army 'no' regarding what they wanted or what to purchase, specifically mentioning that the Su-30SM fighter jets were bought at the army's request: 'The question of military construction I raised should be investigated. I want the commission to finally answer one question: since I became Prime Minister in 2018, there has not been a single case where the army said, 'we need this and that,' and we've said, 'you know what, there is no money to provide that.' Not a single instance. And you know, the much-debated Su-30SMs are a glaring example of that. The army said, 'we need them.' Moreover, it is very important. I received several written documents stating that we shouldn't acquire them, etc. I noted those documents, saying, 'You know what, there is a professional body, discuss it and respond to whether we need it or not.' They discussed it and replied in writing that we do need them. I said, 'Then we will buy them.' I want the investigative commission to address this question. I want and expect this, and I think the public does too. The commission should review the entire negotiation process starting from the ceasefire of 1994, after the victory declaration,' Pashinyan emphasized.

In connection to this topic, 'Haykakan Jamanak' spoke with the former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and the Chief Military Inspector during the acquisition of the Su-30SMs, Movses Hakobyan, asking whether Pashinyan is correct when he asserts that the Su-30SMs were purchased because the army stated they were necessary. 'He is correct, yes. He also mentioned that others told him they weren’t necessary. I was one of those who wrote that it wasn’t needed, but the army insisted that it was essential, and they bought it,' Hakobyan stated.

- Did the army say they would buy rockets with it, or without?
- I don’t know the details.
- Is it true that since he took office, there has not been a case where the army said it needed something and he did not purchase it?
- As far as I know, yes. I have always initiated that the current military leadership is well supplied. I was serving in the army at that time and jealously admired the fact that every whim the army wanted was funded.

- Why did you express your written opposition to buying the Su-30SMs?
- Because my knowledge did not allow me to express support for it.
- Did Artak Davtyan tell Pashinyan that the Su-30SMs should be purchased? Were those specialists Artak Davtyan?
- Artak Davtyan and Stepan Galstyan. They are responsible for that, while Nikol is responsible for financing this without thorough study.
- So that means Pashinyan bought them without understanding what Davtyan and Galstyan said?
- In my opinion, that is the case.