‘Nikol Pashinyan told us that he has already given orders for the army to become stronger’: ‘Hraparak’

‘Hraparak’ newspaper reports: ‘Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently met with representatives of extra-parliamentary political forces in the government. These meetings are traditionally held once a month, but the escalated situation forced an extraordinary meeting to be called. It can be assumed that these representatives of fringe political groups, who have support ranging from ten to a maximum of a hundred people, will help solve the problems facing our country.

The latest meeting was attended by Aram Sarkisyan, the president of the ‘Republic’ party, Levon Shirinyan, the president of the Armenian Christian Democratic Party, Mher Terteryan, the leader of the ‘United Homeland’ party, Hambik Sarafyan, the secretary of the Central Board of the Social Democratic Hunchakian Party, Sedrak Ajemyan, the secretary of the Armenian District of the Social Democratic Hunchakian Party, Tigran Khizmalyan, the leader of the European Party of Armenia, and Tigran Arzakantsyan, the leader of the ‘Strength of the Motherland’ party. It is noteworthy that these parties and their leaders are mainly pro-Western, except for Tigran Arzakantsyan.

We tried to clarify what the extra-parliamentary forces discussed with the Prime Minister from Tigran Arzakantsyan, the president of the ‘Strength of the Motherland’ party:

‘Mr. Arzakantsyan, our sources say that during this meeting, you were urged to inflame anti-Russian sentiments. Yet you have repeatedly stated that you are pro-Russian, not pro-Western. There is no such thing; what you say does not reflect reality. On the contrary, he was recording what questions we were raising. He noted what each person was saying. I will speak for myself. I have been in the positions for several days; I saw what was happening, went, and told the Prime Minister everything. I explained what was necessary for the soldiers in order to secure our borders firmly. I alone was aware of the situation from our Gegharkunik region, I presented the current situation there. They also called from Kapan saying that missiles have been launched, I reported that to the Prime Minister as well, saying that we have a problem with air defense related to various types of weapons. After my speech, they started dividing the army among volunteers; my words reached their target, and there were changes in the military after my speech. Before my speech, I was providing clothes to the volunteers; after that, they began to provide clothing themselves.

And what did the Prime Minister say regarding the issues you raised? He said that he had already given orders for the army to become stronger, but he stated that the army has no capability for mobilization because inexperienced people come in, bringing great problems upon us. It must be selective. I suggested that at least it should be this way; the army will not suffice. They have exploded and taken all positions from Vardenis; I was being told from the side that this is not the case. The other party leaders were unaware of anything; they kept their mouths shut. I shut their mouths and said: I am the one who is a fact there; are you now telling me? All areas have progressed (enemy); what are they talking about? They are engaged in capital construction everywhere.

You posted a video that stirred public outrage widely: you mentioned that you are in positions, but European windows were visible in the video. Many insisted that you did not go to the positions: Those are all fakes. It’s a lie. I couldn’t get a video from the positions. How should I show where I am? That would be an implication. Brother, I was in Vardenis at that moment, was I going to post a video from the positions? Should I show my location? So, you did not enter directly from the positions during the live broadcast? No, how could I be in the positions while live? Those are all fakes. I was being moved frequently.

A few days ago, protesters in front of the National Assembly did not allow you to speak, arguing that you were meeting with Nikol Pashinyan: No one should try to blame me for anything. They have already tried: You were told that you are Nikol Pashinyan's pocket opposition. Only illiterate people could say that. Wherever Nikol Pashinyan is, there is also a state. There is a state-oriented mindset; I think about our state in a state manner. If I haven’t come to power, I don’t care who is at the head of Armenia. I always raise imperfect questions near Nikol Pashinyan. If I am not in the government, if I am not in the National Assembly, that does not mean I should sit idly by.’