Seyran Ohanyan Makes a Statement

The leader of the "Armenia" faction in the National Assembly, Seyran Ohanyan, has posted on his Facebook page: "For both the internal and external audience, I believe it is unequivocally clear that the "Armenia" alliance and the faction have a single agenda today— to fight for the security, independence, dignity, and the restoration of the once combative, victorious spirit of Artsakh and Armenia.

For this reason, I find it necessary to address the rhetorical questions posed by certain officials regarding convening a meeting of the interparliamentary committee for cooperation between the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh.

- First, for the public, which is once again being misled by statements that do not reflect reality, I must announce that back in March, the "Armenia" and "I Have Honor" factions were the first to initiate in writing a request to convene that meeting, addressed to Alen Simonyan as the president of the interparliamentary committee for the cooperation between the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh.

- Our alliance, being extremely attentive and sensitive especially to issues related to Artsakh, has participated in numerous meetings with our international partners and used possible leverage to factually present and condemn the crimes committed by the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem, raising the issue of the non-fulfillment of agreements regarding the return of Armenian prisoners of war. We have substantiated the will and position of the Armenian people to live in their ancestral homeland for centuries and highlighted the regional significance of a fair resolution to the Artsakh problem. And in that respect, we will continue to cooperate with all strategic allies and moral, conscientious forces.

- During a recent meeting with the President of the National Assembly of Artsakh, which I personally attended and possess the necessary information, we noted that for the sake of saving Artsakh, we are ready to participate in the meeting of the interparliamentary committee for cooperation between the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and the National Assembly of Artsakh.

- On the other hand, what significance does it have whether we participate in that meeting or not? It is the responsibility of the ruling majority in Parliament to organize and conduct it adequately. I will not hide that I am convinced that they will refrain from provoking their real "masters"; their actions will be limited to merely speaking, as always, using lies as the main weapon, which, sadly, influences the majority of our society.

- In summarizing my words, as an objective response to the subjective evaluation of "controlling the situation," I present copies of the letters from the "Armenia" and "I Have Honor" factions, also attaching two excerpts preserved in the electronic documentation of the National Assembly that illustrate the "fate" of the letter, especially drawing the attention of our compatriots to return those letters, that is, to reject the comments. I write commentary because we have not yet received a written justification regarding the non-holding of that meeting; we only have a verbal explanation from an employee who claims that the meeting could not take place during our specified time due to Alen Simonyan's trip abroad.

We had agreed that when he returns, the ruling parliamentary majority would schedule a date for the meeting. However, after Alen Simonyan returned from abroad, he left again, and can you imagine, only five months later when it was discussed again, he came forth with a rhetorical question and a vulnerable comment.

The authorities of the Republic of Armenia today either do not control the situation or they do and remain silent. Look at what is happening in Artsakh, in the Lachin Corridor, in Aghavno, in Berdzor, at the borders of Armenia. Is there anyone among the responsible bodies who can come out before the people and give a coherent word that would ease their concerns and doubts?

P.S. Dear compatriots, do not allow yourselves to be deceived once again, and not for the last time. I understand that being deceived is human, but remaining deceived becomes catastrophic."