Arkady Karapetian /Dashnak Ago/, the head of “Erkrapah union of Karabakh war veterans” /EUKWV/, the member of “Civic insubordination” initiative group opposes to the accusations.
Replying to Manvel Grigorian
EVU president Manvel Grigorian had told the journalists that Arkady Karapetian had been a commander in Karabakh for a month: “Ago hasn’t carried out any activity in the army since 1991. I myself haven’t met such persons for the formation of regular army. Neither in the war. All those who were commanders are in the Army now, except Samvel Babayan.”
In answer to this Arkady Karapetian said: “First of all, I was considering all guys who had fought in the war as my friends. But they have lost the sense of proportion. The second, Manvel has never been a minister and doesn’t know what had happened inside the army. When I was a commander, Manvel was simply a commander of a small unit. He knows me very well but pretends he doesn’t. Never mind. Maybe I’ll write an article soon where I’ll publish what Vazgen Sargsian had written that I was commander general for all units of Karabakh defense. If anybody doesn’t know who I was and what I have done, he commits order and tell lie or haven’t ever been in the NK or he isn’t Armenian at all. I don’t mean the new generation but those persons who have participated in the movement and if they don’t know me, there are from other planet.”
In answer to Seyran Ohanian
NKR Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian had declared in EVU congress that only the “Union of volunteer soldiers of Artsakh” operates in Artsakh and alluding to EUKWV noted that it didn’t operate while announcements are made by that organization. Arkady Karapetian objected: I have never made any declaration by Seyran’s name and don’t even want. Our organization has been formed earlier than theirs. Our organization operates. It is not obligatory to have an office. We were acting in the same way in 1975, 1980, and 1987… He doesn’t even know what has happened in Karabakh. To our observation that a serious movement may be kicked off to give the occupied territories back, Arkady Karapetian answered: “What connection does his organization have with that movement. See, how many organizations exist in Artsakh. Why didn’t any of them complain? Don’t they say, we are building a democratic country, adopted the Constitution”.
And the second, if we speak who and where has been… Seyran was injured on September 3, 1992 went to hospital and came back in November 1993 when the war was almost over. Then Seiran was appointed and the chief of headquarter. And frankly speaking, that position wasn’t considered as a fighter at that time. Then he faced to Horadiz and Martuni problems, he gave Horadiz back, and the major part of Martuni was also gave to Turks.
Finally, Seyran was a soldier at Misha Apresian when we were commanders. He came and included in the movement and became Defense Minister. What’s it to me, let him go to his business”.
In answer to Arkady Ghukasian
NKR president Arkady Ghukasian had agreed with Seyran Ohanian’s standpoint, noting: “I don’t consider Arkady Karapetian’s activities serious because I don’t know whom and what he presents. As I know that organization exists only on the paper, 4-7 persons are included in it.”
Arkady Karapetian answered in the same way; frankly speaking I also don’t consider his activities serious. And I think that as long they stay in power, as long our country will remain in transition period. Those persons have no connection with life.”
Replying to Jirayr Seifilian
Ago’s party former friend Jirayr Seifilian had declared: “Everyday we see anew formed group which promises that it will dismiss Kocharian. But how you will succeed? This is nonsense”. Arkady Karapetian answered Seifilian: “If he thinks it is nonsense and people will be beaten for the next time, why does he lives here? According to the Constitution, the authority is the people; they are the owner of the country. But both the authority and opposition speak of beating people. How can people be beaten?
In answer to Vahan Hovhannisian
ARF bureau member Vahan Hovhannisian had said about “Civic insubordination” movement: “The internal stability is prior for our people. So we must express insubordination in that case when the activities of the authorities cause damages to the state and national interests. I don’t see such obvious danger.”
“He doesn’t see but I does, – was Ago’s answer, – I give an elementary example, when a family has 1,6 children what stability is it spoken about? This isn’t stability, this is deadlock. I don’t need in such stability”.