“We did not expect that the opposition’s demands would become the main principles of the government with one rally, but it was very important for us to formulate those principles and demands of our political forces and the society. Of course, in Brussels, as in all previous meetings, the Armenian interest was not represented because the government has adopted a losing path, it is going to ‘give up everything for the sake of peace’. The rally was able to state that the current government does not have a mandate from the people to make new concessions by thethe country,” expressed the representative of the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia, Republic of Armenia Parliament Vice-Speaker Ishkhan Saghatelyan during 168TV’s “Orakhndir” program.
“Before starting the negotiations on a peace deal with Azerbaijan, there must be an appropriate atmosphere, at least two possible steps must be taken: the return of our prisoners of war, and the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces from the sovereign territories of Armenia. Pashinyan says that in the last elections he proposed a peace agenda, received a vote of confidence, and therefore he will negotiate what he wants. But he did not tell the people that the price of that peace is deprivation of the homeland. And the task of the opposition and society is to prevent the new capitulation of the country. There is no other way for that than to remove these authorities. If after all this they try to–in the name of peace—to threaten the people with war once again and to lead the country to another capitulation, it must be stopped,” the politician said.
“Our rallies, initiatives, protests are also important for the international community. Our friends, foes, and enemy states must understand that the current government does not represent the will of our people. Pashinyan once again misled the public, told the public that he would bring them peace and prosperity, their sons would not need to serve in Armenia’s military. Many were deceived and voted for the government. However, our task is to explain that he is leading our country not to peace, but to a new war, new losses. If the government of the day wants peace in the country, it must leave a minute ago, because it is a symbol of defeat, and it cannot bring peace and stability,” Saghatelyan added.
According to the opposition figure, today we are in danger of losing our statehood. “If this government fails to ensure our security, it must leave. We must organize the struggle effectively, we have no right to fail. Failure implies responsibility, we must be able to bring people who think like us, all those for whom the homeland is dear, who are ready to organize resistance against the current policy, to a street struggle. A popular uprising is needed to remove this government. Pashinyan said that he would not do anything behind the people’s back, but it is obvious that he is negotiating with Turkey and Azerbaijan over new documents,and he is doing it behind the people’s back. He must tell the people, what is the price of this peace? Most importantly, is it peace? After the war, psychological terror is carried out at the state level, as if everything is over, we are weak. In this situation, people are being deceived by the false idea of peace, but it is not peace.”
“The issue of change of government is not off our agenda. Our start with the first rally was in defense of Artsakh and Armenia. We are familiar with all the complaints addressed to the opposition, we receive hundreds of calls and letters every day. We have an extremely decisive segment, which has been by our side for a year, that expresses a justified anger, a demand and determination to take tough actions. They are valuable to us because they deeply understand what is happening. Our task is not to just satisfy the demand of the people, but to organize this struggle with responsible political forces and bring it to an end. The problem is that this government puts more effort on its defense than on the defense of the country. We also have our mistakes and our share of responsibility that this government still exists,” Ishkhan Saghatelyan concluded.
