VIDEO: 'Do Not Claim the Right to Call the Military' - Papikyan's Revelation

“It is said that there is an attempt to subordinate the armed forces to the minister. First of all, the armed forces are subordinated to the minister and the supreme commander. This is not an attempt, it is clear. The authority granted to us by the people allows us to fully exercise it. We are preparing to exercise our authority completely,” stated Defense Minister Suren Papikyan during today’s National Assembly plenary session.

It should be noted that according to the question raised today regarding amendments to the law on ‘Defense’ and related laws, the Chief of the General Staff will not serve as the acting official for the minister. Suren Papikyan emphasized, “I would be very interested if the opposition were present here today. They are part of the legislative authority. Many of them have experience and knowledge in military service. I am not one to reject objective proposals. Naturally, I would not refuse, but no proposals have been made. I will not even take into account the criticisms hidden behind walls and in secret. They should come and serve the state of Armenia through discussions and proposals, in accordance with their statutory obligations. Citizens have sent them here to serve the state, not their political interests.”

Suren Papikyan expressed confidence that the opposition's agenda is not the well-being of the country but leading the government to failure: “They say that in the past, apartments have also been given to officers. Which apartments are they talking about, the ones you have accumulated this obligation and not fulfilled? Now this is on the shoulders of this government.”

Then Suren Papikyan declared, “A deputy from the opposition may have confused that he no longer holds the position of Chief of the General Staff. He called one of the military personnel, specifically the Chief of the General Staff, and asked what right they have to draft the opposition's youth. Are you a citizen of the Republic of Armenia or what… It’s easy to save the country in Yerevan, but of course you are not saving it; you want to lead the country into uncertainty. I have declared a month of engineering work; come participate, go to a three-month gathering; you are a citizen of the Republic of Armenia. It’s a shame, end it. If previously the Minister of Defense dealt with such issues, now he cannot; he has a lot to do. Next time, do not claim the right to call the military or make veiled calls to them, as such calls will also entail legal consequences. I believe the law enforcement agencies should pay attention to such calls.”

As we reported, today the Vice President of the National Assembly Ruben Rubinyan and the members of the My Step faction criticized the fact that the opposition is absent from the extraordinary session discussing legislative proposals related to the defense sector and the army.