ACCORDING TO EVU DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, KARABAKH PROBLEM SOLUTION SHOULD NOT ENDANGER SECURITY OF ARTSAKH PEOPLE

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 05 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Erkrapah Volunteers
Union (EVU) only had the task of solving the problem of security
of the Artsakh people. This problem has been solved today, it has
just not been stipulated diplomatically. EVU Deputy Chairman Myasnik
Malkhasian stated this during the May 5 meeting at the National Press
Club. According to him, the solution of the Karabakh problem should
not endanger the security of the people of Artsakh.

In his words, the liberated territories that have formed a
security zone for Artsakh today represent such guarantees. No
part of the territory of Armenia should be made a discussion
subject at negoatiations, first of all, the problem of Artsakh’s
self-determonation should be solved and Artsakh should have a border
with Armenia. “These are the principles, within the framework of which
we will be satisfied with the problem’s solution,” he stated. “The
Erkrapah was created with the aim of liberating territories, and we
have accomplished that task. We liberated so many regions as to prevent
the capital and other settlements of Artsakh from being shelled,”
another deputy chairman of the union Ara Ketikian said. According to
him, the Erkrapah uttered its weighty word with the Armenian army on
the battlefield. “In 1994, considering peace as the highest value,
we made not a compromise but a unilateral concession, preventing
the further advance of our military units to Gandzak and other
territories,” Ketikian said. As regards the return of territories,
this issue, in his words, is under the jurisdiction of the country’s
highest authorities.

Ketikian said that the Erkrapah also said its word after 1994 – by
promoting the strengthening of the Armenian army and working among
the youth. “We are not guaranteed against resumption of war and should
be prepared for it any moment.

Everybody has already understood that it is number one
guarantee.” Myasnik Malkhasian said that the time has shown that the
Erkrapah should not get involved in political processes. He noted that
the EVU has remained true to Sparapet Vazgen Sargsian’s behest that
Erkrapah must act as a lightning-conductor. At the same time, he said
the EVU members are citizens and may participate in parliamentary
elections. The union expects its members to win in majoritarian
elections. According to the speaker, some unpredictable developments
may take place in the upcoming parliamentary elections. He noted
that various political forces will balance the field, so electoral
commissions will be deprived of great opprtunities to falsify.