Civil Contract Faction Secretary Comments on Vardan Oskanian's Proposal

There has been no such discussion, nor will there be. This was stated by Arthur Hovhannisyan, the secretary of the National Assembly's Civil Contract faction, in an interview with MediaHub, in response to our question about whether the faction has discussed the proposal of former Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian that if he and a group of diplomats are granted authority, they will make significant changes to the negotiation process regarding Nagorno-Karabakh in 2-3 months.

Incidentally, Oskanian reiterated his proposal today. According to Hovhannisyan, any comments made by Vardan Oskanian are pointless to discuss, as, in his view, the previous authorities have led the resolution of the Karabakh issue not towards a solution but into a deadlock. “They used their time. Those people are the authors of various unfavorable formulations in the documents of the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiation processes. People had the opportunity to solve the issue in a timely manner, to ensure the rights and security of the Nagorno-Karabakh people. The views of those people do not align with the interests of Armenia and Artsakh,” he stated.

In response to the remark that Vardan Oskanian's proposals had been deemed logical by the third president of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, and how the authorities feel constrained to accept Oskanian's adequate proposals, Hovhannisyan replied:

“There are adequate channels and formats for adequate proposals. Anyone who has a pro-Armenian solution finds adequate channels to deliver their proposals. We listen to everyone, but Vardan Oskanian does not fall into the list of adequate individuals.”

When asked why the Civil Contract continues to maintain the thesis that their alternative to peace is war, and if they leave office, there will be war, Hovhannisyan responded that they have come with a peace agenda and that the alternative to peace is war.

“The authorities have never said such a thing nor hinted at it. Yes, we came with a peace agenda and are proceeding with that agenda. What comments come from the outside is another matter. It is natural, isn’t it, that the alternative to peace is war? So why should we enter this pointless discourse?” he added.

It should be noted that days ago, Vardan Oskanian made a proposal to the authorities through journalists, suggesting they grant him and a group of diplomats the authority to make changes in the negotiation process. “The authorities are currently unable to talk about alternatives regarding Artsakh; this is such a national existential issue that they should have the courage to delegate negotiations to others. I say this with full responsibility. If today I am granted authority, along with a group of diplomats, I can assure you, significant changes can be made to the situation in 2-3 months. But there are several preconditions: this authority must be 100 percent. Second, Pashinyan must remain silent for three months, simply not speak. There is no other harm done to Armenia and the Armenian people than that which resulted from Pashinyan's speaking. His speech has led us to war, and after the war, his remarks have exacerbated everything. Today, his speaking complicates his situation further and makes it increasingly difficult to change the situation,” Oskanian stated.

Today, in a message disseminated, Oskanian reiterated his proposal: “Give me that authority; you may not remain silent, but think, then speak, and believe that we will succeed.”