Why Aren't You Telling the People the Truth? Samvel Babayan on Protests and Negotiations in Artsakh

I am the speaker of my words, and I repeat that it is necessary to understand that power is responsibility and conducting direct negotiations with Azerbaijan is imperative. This was stated by Samvel Babayan, former Secretary of the Security Council of Artsakh and leader of the United Homeland party, in an interview with Public TV.

"Trade must start bilaterally, both from Aghdam and Goris, this will happen whether we want it or not. Those who have descended into Artsakh by balloon think they can change things with a protest, but 200 thousand people probably die of hunger worldwide every day, and the international community pays no attention. For the international world, these protests are nothing. Azerbaijan, with Turkey's support, will move forward. Why aren't you telling the people the truth? When you lose a war, you have to accept the rules of the game and try to recover," Babayan noted.

According to Babayan, there will be no positive change in the situation if there is a change of power in Armenia. There is a reality: in the war, Artsakh has lost everything. Now we have to live again, form an agenda, and start direct negotiations with Azerbaijan—without the expectation of a mediator.

"We should not think that we are heading to the gallows. We can find a golden mean without a mediator. If not, great powers will take advantage and lead to war; this must be understood both in Artsakh and Azerbaijan. The forces that try to gain dividends should be cut off. Whether you like it or not, in the end, you will come to this point, simply time is needed for the youth to understand. I am not fighting against the power, I want them to realize that they must come to negotiations with Azerbaijan," Babayan emphasized.

In Babayan's opinion, Azerbaijan will not allow the 400 tons of humanitarian aid sent from Armenia to reach Artsakh. "If they have decided, let them try, it won’t hurt, but I still think Azerbaijan won't allow it," he stated.