KARABAKH’S EX-DEFENCE MINISTER SAYS NO ELECTION DEAL WITH ARMENIAN PREMIER
Aravot
Jan 26 2008
Armenia
The former defence minister of the unrecognized republic of
Nagornyy Karabakh and leader of Armenia’s Alliance (Dashink) Party,
Samvel Babayan, has told an Armenian newspaper that he would not
support Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan in the 19 February
presidential election and denied reports that he will become the
Armenian defence minister if Sargsyan is elected. Babayan, however,
said that he "will be ready for any role to protect my fatherland"
if war starts. The following is excerpt from report by Ruzan Minasyan
in Armenian newspaper Aravot on 26 January headlined "What I have
promised will be made public" and "Interview with Samvel Babayan,
former defence minister of Nagornyy Karabakh".
[Correspondent] Mr Babayan, congresses of the Alliance (Dashink)
Party and the National Rebirth Party followed one another at the end
of 2007, debating merging with the Liberal Democratic Party [LDP]
(Ramkavar Azatakan). What is the state of this process?
[Babayan] In political aspect, a staple of the issues has been
solved. At the moment, the intensive work on merging the three parties’
structures is under way in regions. [Passage omitted: details of
merging process]
Liberal Democrats’ stance
[Correspondent] You have promised to make public the details of
what you define as crimes committed by the former authorities during
war years.
[Babayan] Everything that I promised will be made public.
Unfortunately, my statement has been interpreted in different ways.
There have even been reports claiming I have allegedly supported
[Armenian Prime Minister and presidential candidate] Serzh Sargsyan
with my statement. Meanwhile I merely stated the truth. It was
even mentioned that this statement is a result of mine and [Armenian
ex-President and presidential candidate] Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s personal
disagreements. I don’t have any personal conflict with the first
Armenian president. [Passage omitted: more details on disagreements
with Ter-Petrosyan]
[Correspondent] Your political opponents maintain that you will
endorse Serzh Sargsyan’s candidacy, therefore, the statement about
the LDP’s neutral position is unexpected.
[Babayan] First of all, the LDP’s draft decision [presumably on
election] was discussed with both me and Albert Bazeyan, after which
it was approved by the LDP’s current leadership. [Passage omitted:
Babayan expands on the issue of merging with LDP]
On the eve of the presidential election, various forces have started
speculating that this all [presumably merging of small parties] has
been allegedly done for endorsing the authorities’ candidate in the
presidential election. I couldn’t allow this unprecedented process be
a subject for this kind of speculations. On the other hand, none of
the officially endorsed presidential candidates and their presented
programmes fully suits our stance, therefore we do not intend to
support anyone’s candidacy and become his opponent one year later.
Supporting someone is also responsibility. This is responsibility for
the contender’s presented programme and his further activity. But
how can I take this responsibility if in many cases I do not agree
with the contender’s viewpoints?
[Correspondent] Nevertheless, does the LDP see itself in the opposition
or authorities’ camp after the merging of the three parties?
[Babayan] In my opinion, the LDP should be an ideological opposition.
[Passage omitted: more on the issue]
Speculations on Karabakh issue
[Correspondent] These days, presidential hopefuls among other issues
are also discussing the Karabakh issue. First of all, how truthful
are their arguments?
[Babayan] Speculating on the Artsakh [Nagornyy Karabakh] issue
for political purposes seems unclear to me. If by speculations we
understand the parties’ accusations of betrayal against each other,
in this case no-one has grounds for this at present for one simple
reason: the public is unaware precisely what document is on the
negotiating table. But, on the other hand, politicians are obliged
to present their personal visions on the settlement. I consider it
dangerous to avoid this issue and do not trust such politicians.
Fortunately or unfortunately I know presidential contenders quite well
and my vision of ways of the Artsakh issue settlement significantly
differs from their positions. I do not believe it is appropriate
now to discuss my point of view regarding the Artsakh issue
settlement. Presidential hopefuls’ positions on this issue are now
much more important. I must only admonish our citizens not to trust
the candidates, who speak about the settlement using such words as
"beneficial for Armenia", "for national interests" etc. The electorate
has the right to know the maximum limit of mutual concessions that
our highly respected candidates are ready to make.
[Passage omitted on Babayan’s business activities]
Ready to protect "fatherland"
[Correspondent] How plausible is the fact [reports] you will soon be
appointed the Armenian defence minister?
[Babayan] First, these sources also said that I will support Serzh
Sargsyan’s candidacy. As you are now convinced, this is not the case.
I have dedicated the best ten years of my life to the fatherland,
depriving myself from regular communication opportunity with my family,
children and friends. And what have I received as a result? A show on
"murder attempt" and five years of illegal imprisonment. This was an
evaluation of my contribution for taking the responsibility in 1992
and organizing the liberation and protection of our fatherland’s
significant part [means Nagornyy Karabakh] jointly with the people.
This was an evaluation I was given during five post-war years for
creating the most powerful army in the region, according to foreigners’
calculation. This was an evaluation I was given for organizing the
first most magnificent [military] parade in our newest history. Then
why should I again assume this role?
[Correspondent] And if war starts?
[Babayan] Heavens forbid, in case of imminent war danger, I will
take all the responsibility and will be ready for any role to protect
my fatherland.