G. HAKOBYAN: THE FORCES AND MEANS OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY SERVICE GIVE OPPORTUNITY TO FULLY CONTROL THE OPERATIVE SITUATION AND ANY ENCROACHMENT AGAINST THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA WILL BE HELD UP IN THE INITIAL ROUND

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 15, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: Director of Armenian National
Security Service Gorik Hakobyan gave interview to Armenpress news
agency – Mr. Hakobyan is the establishment headed by you ready for
the opening of Armenian-Turkish border?

– The National Security Service is a realized institution, and I
assure that the border troops, department of protection of diplomatic
representations as well as divisions of anti-investigation, fighting
against terrorism, without big efforts, in a right way will implement
their duties. In case of necessity additional measures will be
undertaken. Armenian President and the National Security Council have
been reported about it. The forces and means of the National Security
Service give opportunity to fully control the operative situation and
any encroachment against the Republic of Armenia will be confronted
in the initial round.

– According to press reports, there are certain disputes and even
confrontations in the Armenian-Georgian border sector. How will you
comment on the situation?

– The Armenian-Georgian border sector protection is being implemented
by the USSR state border line and now there are no changes yet. About
17 posts have been built on the northern border of the Republic of
Armenia equipped with contemporary engineering-technical devices. For
solving certain disputed during the Armenian-Georgian border zoning
works representatives of border zoning, border lining governmental
commissions regularly meet, discuss and give solutions to issues. In
all cases the results of the works of the commission must be ratified
by the legislative bodies of the two countries and only after it we
will have a clear line of border protection alongside of which the
border guard service will be implemented.

– Recently the Armenian National Security Service often comes forth
with a statement on revealing regular bribe taker. Does the number
of cases increase, or has the fighting against it been strengthened?

People say they are small fish, will the turn come to sharks too?

– Corruption has high professional skills: it changes its masks
incessantly, changes its shape and improves and in these conditions
the fighting against it will be effective in case of support
of different civil public institutions and active support of the
population. The cases of corruption revealed by us cannot basically
change the situation but they witness the growing trust of public
toward our establishment. For disarming, as you said the sharks,
Armenians must not tolerate injustice and must cooperate with law
enforcement bodies. Unfortunately in our reality many are inclined
to solve difficult issues through bribe but the experience of the
civilized world shows that the effective way of fighting against this
enrooted evil is agreed with the civilized conscious of each. In short,
all people must fight against the phenomena, there is no other way.

– Approximately half a year ago the National Security Service revealed
the client and those who committed the assassination attempt against
chairman of the State Revenue Committee Gagik Khachatryan. In what
phase is this case?

This crime is completely revealed. The chief client who ordered the
murder is wanted and, without doubts, will soon be brought to Armenia.

I hope the group of direct committers will not have an opportunity
to commit such like crimes for many years.

– Gevorg Hayrapetyan, arrested by the Armenian National Security
Service for spying and betrayal, in a letter to the Armenian President
and press rejects the accusations and tries to give them a political
color.

– Murad Bojolyan, convicted for spying, was also seeking different
ways for justification, was trying to give a political color to his
arrest. There is nothing strange in it: it is the psychology of the
accused – they are trying to distort the reality, confuse the public.

I assure that only in case of undeniable facts the National Security
Service forwards such serious accusation. In any case the final word
is the court’s.

– Even the official web sites are not safe from the attacks of
hackers. Have any steps been undertaken toward the security of
information field?

– On the basis of the decision of the Armenian government a special
junction has been created by the National Security Service which
creates an opportunity to increase the reliability of fighting
against possible information overflow, security of the electronic
sites of state bodies. We are using the latest technology, used by
leading special services and we have an opportunity to every year
update these means with the newest devices. I state with all the
responsibility that thanks to our established junction the official
web sites are fully protected from the attacks of hackers.

– Opinions are voiced in the press that the budget of the National
Security Service is small and the salary of the employees low, and
in this case it is impossible to effectively confront the challenges
the establishment faces.

– Of course, our budget and the salary of employees are still
small, though during the recent years increase of salaries has been
registered. But to claim that it does not give an opportunity to
effectively confront the challenges, means not to understand the
essence of our work, its importance. Protecting the security of our
homeland is a great honor and responsibility and it cannot be tied
only with the payment. During the fatal period of our country, the
employees of the National Security system were receiving 2,5-3 USD
equivalent sum but were implementing their duties with devotion to
the solution of security issues of the homeland. I have no doubts
that in near future our employees will get worthy payment.

– Recently news about your resignation has become rather frequent.

– Nothing is eternal, but now I must disappoint my opponents, saying
that in visible future I am not going to make them happy with it.

– Being overloaded with the work, do you find time for your relatives,
friends, for resting?

– I am trying to find time for my friends and relatives. The
speeded-up development of technology has brought me contacting with
my grandchildren through Skype, seems funny but it is so.

– You have a long-year experience in the system.

– September this year the 40th year of my service in the national
security system was marked. During these long years there were
successes, difficulties, disappointments. But by overcoming these
obstacles the work becomes interesting. The thought that you are
serving to your homeland, you ensure its security feels your soul
with pride. I consider myself a happy person as I love my work and
everyday I get pleasure from doing it.

– December 20 is marked as a professional day of employee of the
national security bodies. Let me congratulate you on the coming
holiday.

– Thank you for congratulation. Using this opportunity I want to
congratulate all the employees of the national security bodies,
veterans of the system, members of their families on our professional
holiday. I wish them health, success in the service and in personal
life. I wish the veterans of the national security bodies inspiration,
energy, active work particularly in grateful activity of passing
experience and skills to the young generation of the system.