Cancellation of Options for Establishing State Defence Committee and Confidence Referendum: Samvel Babayan

Considering the tightening ring around Artsakh, we had initiated a rally and demanded political accountability. Prior to us, smaller and larger rallies had been organized, which, as you know, received no response. For the first time, a political agenda has been formed through public demand, which the President has taken into account and has begun consultations. In other words, we have resolved the issue before us in the first phase. This was stated by Samvel Babayan, the president of the 'United Homeland' party of Artsakh, in an interview with 'Artsakhpress.'

“Within the framework of political consultations, I have had two meetings with the President of Artsakh, expressing my willingness to take on the burden of responsibility reserved for the political second force within any format of structure. Specifically, during the first meeting, the proposal to establish a state defense committee was discussed. I have always been opposed to having such a structure, as it nullifies the twenty-five-year legal and political achievements of Artsakh. However, since the ruling force had already agreed to the need for such a governance system across the entire political spectrum of Artsakh, I have decided to accommodate as well. The reason for this decision is solely to find joint solutions to the challenges facing Artsakh, about which I also publicly announced after the meeting. Following my announcement, the same forces that had been demanding the establishment of a state defense committee from the President for two years stepped back from their own idea.

During the second meeting, Araik Harutyunyan discussed the option of conducting a confidence referendum, inquiring about my opinion. Evaluating the internal and external risks and consequences of this, while also recognizing the need for my support on the matter, I decided once again to accommodate in order to exit the deadlock. This option has also been canceled; I am unaware whether it was due to internal or external disagreements.

The third meeting, during which logically the last option regarding the President's resignation should have been discussed, did not take place. Araik Harutyunyan summarized the political consultations with a message on May 23, canceling the options he had proposed for establishing the state defense committee or conducting a confidence referendum, or submitting his resignation, thereby reserving sole responsibility for the present and future of Artsakh for himself. I leave the conclusions to the readers,