“The army is our family, we stand in awe of our army, and any omission in it is our pain. Anyway, it would be better if our European partners would wish to see also the tremendous work that is available and is an indisputable fact in our army,” so commented RPA faction MP Margarit Yesayan in the conversation with Aravot.am referring to the “Implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy 2013 – Annual Progress Report,” where there are concerned estimates related to the deaths occurred in the armed forces. The report states, “There is a public anxiety about suspicious deaths in the Armed Forces under non-combat conditions, as well as concern over the practice of hazing and other mistreatment of conscripts.” The report contains also dissatisfaction with the high level of corruption. It particularly reads, “In the Armenian society, a coalescence of political forces and economic interests is observed, which results in the lack of transparency in decision-making process. Very little action has been taken to combat high-level corruption in high instances. The Ethics Committee is not yet functioning effectively and needs to be further strengthened.” As interpreted by Margarit Yesayan, “And who says that corruption has already become a black fox. Yes, it exists, but there also exists the implementation practice against it. And if our EU partners have a good look around them, they will see that the fox has not yet left them.” Pertaining to Nagorno-Karabakh issue, the report says “the arms race, militant rhetoric, as well as serious tensions of possible flights to Nagorno-Karabakh are obstacles in the formation of constructive atmosphere.” As said by Margarit Yesayan, “It is not news that the EU has long sought to intervene and participate in the Karabakh settlement process and long knows about our reaction: we meet the format of the OSCE Minsk Group in the settlement process of the issue. And as for the arms, the EU would be better to talk not just with us, but our militant neighbor. Some EU officials are well aware of the militant’s location.” As a task, in 2014 the EU was suggesting the authorities to “fully investigate the deaths that occurred during clashes following the March 2008 presidential elections and and the allegations of ill-treatment in police custody and violation of due process. To our question of how the authorities are ready to take the step and detect the March 1 murders, Margarit Yesayan replied, “Whether the EU will suggest or not, but reveling ten murders of March 1 is our business, it is our pain and shame that the killings were not yet disclosed. So, we are of course touched for such friendly observations, however, no one can be better and tenderhearted in the commitment to solving our problems.”
