A group of political and public figures had invited a press conference in support of Artsakh benefactor and wealthy, Levon Hayrapetyan, who as we know is detained in one of the Moscow airports, and as of yesterday, he was the prison medical center. Recall that he is suspected of an economic crime, money laundering and so on. The matter is about the selling of “Bashneft” company in 2008, from which, according to the preliminary hypothesis, he has received huge money. Hayrapetyan was arrested by the Basman court verdict by September 15, but, according to the information given on the telephone from Moscow by Hayrapetyan’s lawyer, Arthur Safaryan, at yesterday’s above-mentioned press conference, in compliance with RF legislation, the number of diseases, which Levon Hayrapetyan suffers, should be an obstacle for his arrest, whereas the court did not consider anything.
During the press conference, former Deputy Defense Minister, Vahan Shirkhanyan, expressed an opinion that the Russian leadership is no way related to this case, moreover, he expressed the hope that this is a misunderstanding, which will be cleared up. Later, “Aravot” tried to clarify V. Shirkhanyan’s point of view, whether he does not accept the hypothesis that Russia is trying to make our country understand something by these steps. Mr. Shirkhanyan’s answer was definite. “Absolutely not, I do not agree. I think that this is a misunderstanding, which will be cleared up. Yes, this arrest was to be benefit of Azerbaijan, and it is possible that Azerbaijan would have taken some steps for it with its Jewish agents, but the point that it was done by the Russian government, I exclude it.” To the question of “Aravot” whether you are not worried about Russia’s attitude towards Armenia, regular weapons sales to Azerbaijan, about which the Armenian authorities are loudly expressing their concern, what it could mean, V. Shirkhanyan responded, “I wish it were not, but if it is, then Armenia have to decide to raise its fire power to respective height and ensure the balance.
That’s it.” Mr. Shirkhanyan did not agree with this observation that maybe it’s time that Armenia if does not demand, at least somehow expresses its attitude and resentment to its strategic partner Russia for arming our enemy, especially when victims regularly occur on the border in the result of ceasefire violation. The former defense minister of Armenia responded, “Well, look, we also buy weapons from other countries, we are constantly buying weapons, including from Russia. As for Azerbaijan, it is not only Russia that sells weapons to this country, many countries are selling, including Belarus.” We noted that these many countries are not our strategic partners, in response to which, V. Shirkhanyan replied, Belarus is our ally country, and continued, “We should not make selling weapons to Azerbaijan by Russia a subject for constant discussion, with which we would determine the conflict to the alliance. This is a wrong way. Especially since today Armenia is maintains the balance of power, I’m sure of it. It does not matter whether it is maintained by the help of Russia or other countries, but it is a fact that the balance is available, so I do not see anything to worry about.” To our question of whether the violations of the ceasefire on the borders are not a reason for worrying and whether he does not see a possibility of war in this tense situation, the former defense minister responded, “No, so far I do not see any such danger. Instead, I see a lot of gaps in building of our statehood and our national problems. We should be consolidated and eventually be able to create this unity. Unity in itself is already a power, only this way we can be quiet.” We tried to find out as to unity in what and in which issues, Mr. Shirkhanyan replied, “In national issues of the Armenian people. We have national problems: to develop Armenia and make it prosperous and wealthy country, to develop Artsakh, protect, improve and make it a rich country. In addition, we have the genocide issue, and we need to do everything united to be able to achieve recognition of Genocide and compensation. And finally, we have a huge diaspora throughout the world, and we are facing the problems of Armenian preservation.” To the question of whether you think that it is possible for Armenia to develop in these conditions, be being so dependent on Russia, Vahan Shirkhanyan replied, of course, it is possible, definitely possible. To our question of, in that case, what prevents us from doing it, our interlocutor responded, “Undue talkativeness disturbs and lack of willingness.” Since V. Shirkhanyan is a clear supporter for Armenia’s Russian integration, we were interested in what, in his opinion, prevents Armenia to join the Eurasian Economic Union, why this question keeps being delayed, maybe they are not waiting for us, and whether it would be correct to step back from all of this by our initiative., It turned out according to V. Shirkhanyan that nothing is being protracted. “I do not think that anything is protracted. The core Eurasian Economic Union was created after many years of work. And Armenia’s membership is just a few months delayed, but I am sure that it will definitely happen, just a few organizational matter are left to be solved, and we would join.” We were interested in whether it will be to the benefit of Armenia. “Of course, for sure. We need to understand that Armenia does not have an alternative; it should be a member of this Union. We do not have any other option,” was the answer by Vahan Shirkhanyan.
Melania BARSEGHYAN
