David Tonoyan Would Stand Beside the Fighting Tavush Residents If He Were Free

Former Minister of Defense of Armenia, David Tonoyan, stated that if he were free, he would be alongside the fighting Tavush residents. He made this remark in an interview with 168.am, responding to questions through his legal team.

“On May 1, during an interview with Petros Ghazaryan, Prime Minister Pashinyan hinted that the delimitation and re-demarcation process taking place in Tavush should not be considered separate from the events of 2020, specifically the 44-day war. Can we assume that although the point regarding Tavush was removed from the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, it remains on the agenda of verbal negotiations?”

“By the way, in one of your statements, you emphasized that what happened after November 20, 2020—after your dismissal— including the return of the enclave issue to the agenda, has no connection to the agreements achieved during your tenure as Minister of Defense of Armenia. In other words, was that issue supposed to be closed according to your agreements?”

“As I mentioned previously, I am well aware of the negotiations surrounding the removal of Azerbaijan’s demand for the 'return of the territories of the Gazakh region' from the statement of November 10, 2020, and particularly its 'geopolitical context'. I am confident and have no doubt that it is possible to achieve a result in favor of Armenia through proper negotiations.”

“Moreover, the July 2020 battles in Tavush and the preceding actions in February 2019 were carried out based on the strategic logic of strengthening Armenia's positions. The return of the 'four villages' issue to the negotiating or delimitation agenda, as mentioned by Aliyev—specifically at his demand—under the pretext of neutralizing the legitimacy of potential Azerbaijani aggression, to put it mildly, does not inspire confidence and is confusing.”

“Similarly, some provisions of the Armenian Constitution, the 'guarantee of transportation communications between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan', as well as the unrecognized or 'disputed' territories between Armenia and Azerbaijan would be no less legitimate for the Azerbaijani leader as reasons for attacking Armenia or not signing a 'peace treaty'.”

“The removal of the northeastern defensive line and the replacement of military personnel, front line troops, or border guard posts there raises what security risks and dangers for Tavush and Armenia?”

“After the Prime Minister's speeches and the positions expressed in his recent interview, having a certain understanding of the decision-making algorithms, as well as following the unacceptable depopulation of Artsakh, I firmly believe that after May 15, the government has no political legitimacy or moral right to give orders to the Armenian Armed Forces for the strategic significance of surrendering square kilometers in the 'Armenian-Georgian-Azerbaijani' or South Caucasian geographical hub.”

“These square kilometers are located behind our Armed Forces, and their surrender to Azerbaijan before the organization of security and defense against the so-called 'experimental pre-trial pilot' boundary is not just a risk but a direct threat.”

“I am convinced that any movement of the Armed Forces can only be deemed acceptable only after the agreement and ratification of the principles of 'delimitation and demarcation' along the nearly 1000 km long Armenian-Azerbaijani border in the parliaments of the two countries.”

“In Armenia, the legitimacy to take that step will only belong to the newly elected National Assembly, which will at least enjoy a vote of confidence from the people. Confidence in decision-making regarding security and defense, which at this moment, in my opinion, does not exist.”

“By the way, I have no doubt that even in the current state of preparedness, the Armenian Armed Forces are capable of ensuring the protection of our positions until the mentioned processes in the National Assembly are completed. There are regional players who have not addressed the issue of troop withdrawal in their statements, perhaps realizing that remaining stationed in the positions of the Armenian Armed Forces is the only guarantee for continuing the above-mentioned delimitation and demarcation process.”

“Otherwise, not only the head of government will remain deceived, but the entire Armenian people as well. Returning to our initial question, I want to assure that if I were free, I would be beside the Tavush residents fighting against the ongoing policies and would humbly try to provide constructive support to them. That’s all.”