There is No Greater Deviance than the Dashnak-Bolshevik Alliance: Rubinyan

From the podium of the National Assembly, Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan responded to the speech of Gegham Manukyan, a member of the "Armenia" faction. Addressing Manukyan's accusations, which labeled the authorities as "heirs of the anti-Dashnak Bolshevik struggle," he recalled how a prominent representative of the communist party, Vardanik, became the mayor of Gyumri with their support.

"Then you blame us for promoting deviance. There is no greater deviance than the Dashnak-Bolshevik alliance. And it is clear that someone like Vardanik had to emerge from a different deviant intersection. Mr. Manukyan does not appreciate my kindness either. He promised yesterday to change his name if I prove that there was a statement from three traditional parties, including the Dashnak party, that opposed independence. Even though I urged him not to change his name, he has come and accused me of lying," Rubinyan declared.

According to him, Manukyan's accusations are easily refutable because "facts are stubborn things." Rubinyan cited quotes from the Dashnak party's "Drakan" newspaper, where several Dashnak figures spoke against the independence of Armenia.

"You are still against it. I think you are a victim of Stockholm Syndrome because you had the fortune to lead Armenia, which had gained independence after 600 years, but you could not maintain that independence for even two years. However, I assume this has affected you—making you feel guilty and fall into Stockholm Syndrome. People, there is no shame in changing. Our party, we have changed; when you realize a path is wrong, you take another path. We have an independent republic, our pride, let's cherish it together," Rubinyan stated.