Arman Babajanian: 'I Must Write About a Very Complex Reality, This Cannot Be Left As It Is'

Arman Babajanian, a former member of the National Assembly of Armenia, stated:

“I must write about a complex, very complex reality, but this cannot be left as it is. Our country is facing extremely challenging external and security threats. The question of our statehood is at stake. The danger of a new war has once again become highly probable. In this situation, internal stability is vitally important. We do not have the right to create new internal threats even as we fail to neutralize existing external ones in such a threatening environment.

Tomorrow, the National Assembly will discuss the issue of filing a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court to deprive opposition members of their mandates. I hope that the issue will be rejected and that the government will not exacerbate the situation further.

Moreover, I deeply believe that after removing the tents from France Square and halting the round-the-clock gatherings, the government as the victorious side should initiate a dialogue and create opportunities for discussions with the opposition on a peace agenda—regardless of what the dialogue may be about. Ultimately, we all acknowledged the results of the 2021 elections, and if we are sincere, we must also recognize the legitimacy of the votes given to the opposition by a segment of our populace. The citizens who voted for the opposition a year ago are not going anywhere—whether we love them or not, they will continue to live alongside us, and sooner or later, we must overcome this antagonism.

The situation has arisen in the country where the opposition, unable to utilize the parliamentary platform, has chosen the path of street struggle and has failed in its political fight along that path. I think we need to seek and find a way out of the existing situation. We cannot allow external forces to tear our country apart by exploiting our internal divisions. This is exactly what is happening at this moment. External forces are taking advantage of our internal fractures and filling the gaps created by them, not with the interests of our state.

Everyone knows well my stance regarding Kocharyan, Sargsyan, the Republican Party, and the alliance. However, my personal or political views cannot have any relevance if the matter concerns the state and the future of our homeland. We are ready to lower our party flags if the issue is about the internal and external security of our state.

I am deeply convinced that the government, which is conducting a very challenging negotiation process with enemy Turkey in the awareness of our state's interests, converses with the xenophobic figures like Erdoğan and Çavuşoğlu because that is what the country's interests demand. Equally wise, it should also find the necessary maturity and begin seeking paths for dialogue with the opposition—as a collective entity or individual factions. This can happen in an open or closed format, with an agreed or unintended agenda. But we must talk.

Yes, political forces in the country must compel the leaders of known entities to sit down for a dialogue with the country's elected Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan. This is a vitally important issue in both internal and external terms.

If our collective efforts do not succeed, and the individuals I mentioned do not adhere to the people's will, through their rejection they will announce their personal and political downfall—in the eyes of the world.

As the leader of the For the Republic party, perhaps my proposal contradicts our political force's short-term or medium-term goals, but who cares about our party goals if the matter at hand pertains to the perpetuity of our state and statehood? Create that opportunity, open even the smallest path for dialogue, talk to one another, for God's sake.”