Let Them Patiently Wait: Kocharian to Families of Missing Soldiers

Let them patiently wait for the presentation of the investigative committee's report, rather than attempting to familiarize themselves with the committee's conclusions through intimidation. This was stated by Andranik Kocharian, the chairman of the National Assembly's Defense and Security Committee and the investigative committee on the 44-day war, in an interview with NEWS.am, referencing the protest of the families of the missing soldiers who today blocked Baghramyan Avenue and demanded a meeting with him, which did not take place.

When asked why he did not agree to meet with all of the relatives of the fallen soldiers who had gathered in front of the National Assembly and blocked the road, Kocharian responded, “First, it was a surprise for me that today a group of parents of the deceased, whom I know very well, came for a meeting. There are several groups like this, and I have had meetings with all of them throughout the year. Since the war, these have been periodic, and there have also been meetings in Stepanakert. Today's meeting was unexpected; my assistant went down and suggested that 2-4 people come up so that I could understand what issue has not been resolved that pertains to the NA committee. I should mention that today’s relatives of the fallen soldiers, let’s say the Metsamor group, the Goris group, regularly aim to meet and discuss such matters. I said for them to come up, but they refused, stating that each of us has some personal issue. I said that if there are individual issues, those matters should be presented in writing so that I know which issues require solutions with which department.”

“When everyone wants to meet with the committee chairman, it seems a bit strange because we have had numerous meetings and have numerous solutions. I mentioned that the state has an interdepartmental commission created under the head of the NSS director, and they have participated in almost all meetings regarding both missing persons and prisoners. If there are unresolved issues there, I need to know that the issue remains unresolved so I can discuss these problems with the NSS director. They refused that and said that without a meeting, they would block Baghramyan Avenue. I’m sorry, but that’s not a reasonable format for me, because I have always been open to all groups,” he noted.

He also stated that committee member Vilen Gabrielyan is involved in that interdepartmental committee and has established warm relations with the relatives of the deceased soldiers and their family members. “My assistant told me they have questions and believe that there are circumstances not studied by the investigative committee. Naturally, the question arises - what do you know regarding which issues have been studied in depth? Secondly, to raise such an issue at the end of the year was obviously an attempt to bring up some problems from somewhere to get acquainted with the work of the investigative committee, while I am obliged to present that first and foremost at the NA plenary session. Not to mention that within the structure of the investigative committee, there have been representatives of the relatives of the deceased as well. They participated once or twice and then did not participate anymore. Today’s unexpected visit and questions were, in fact, wrongly addressed. They refused to present those questions and decided to block Baghramyan Avenue.

The NA Defense and Security Committee has always been next to every family that has suffered a loss and will continue to be, but this should not reflect anyone’s individual desire or coercion,” said Kocharian.

When asked by a journalist whether he thought this was an offensive action against him, Kocharian replied, “I don’t know what it is directed against, but in any case, this was an incomprehensible manifestation when they could have sent me the questions they were interested in writing yesterday. They had no problem establishing contact with me. They couldn't even form a group to come up and at least say what they wanted to hear from me or what they expect for the Defense Committee to do after January 1 to ensure that their questions receive solutions.”

“Let them patiently wait for the presentation of the investigative committee’s report, rather than try to get acquainted with something that they are not authorized to,” he added.