Armenia’s Karabakh war veterans restore militia forces

Arminfo
11 May 05

YEREVAN

“Increased pressure of foreign forces on Armenia and belligerent
statements of the Azerbaijani authorities have forced us to revive the
Armenian National Army (ANA) created by Razmik Vasilyan,” the chairman
of the union of the Artsakh [Karabakh] liberation war veterans, Ayk
Grigoryan, has said.

Grigoryan told journalists that the organization led by him consists
of former ANA members for 90 per cent. ANA activists took an active
part in the war for Artsakh, and many of them received government
awards. Grigoryan said that the reorganization of the ANA would help
unite the veterans.

He said that all pubic organizations which had contributed to the
liberation of Artsakh would be invited to the ANA congress to be held
soon.

“There are no disagreements between us, Yerkrapa [Union of Volunteers]
and Vogu Pardzutyun [Armenian: Integrity] are fraternal public
organizations,” Grigoryan said.

The reformed ANA will also deal with social problems and protection of
the rights of the veterans, ANA leaders said.

To recap, the ANA was created by Razmik Vasilyan in November 1988. The
ANA was disarmed and disbanded on 29 August 1990 under a decision of
the Soviet Armenia government.