“The Karabakh movement has been the most important part of my conscious life. I do not know whether I was happier about the victories or the birth of my children. The movement is part of my family, and I really love that movement. Talking on that topic, I become younger”, Aram Sargsyan, member of the oppositional “Yelq” faction, leader of “Republic” party, told Aravot.am.
He said that the Armenians were the first in the Soviet Union to start such a process, we were cautious but very reasonable: “We started by improving the important figures, by polishing them, but making the right decisions, avoiding the possible victims, we gained independence, a flag, emblem, Constitution, independent Artsakh, with liberated and secured borders. We had shortcomings in the economy, we could live better, we hurried in privatization, we could do it slower, but there was a political issue, we had to show the world that we were progressive to receive support. So, these mistakes also had their own objective motives, and I do not blame anyone for those mistakes, who worked at that time. I assure that at that time every state official tried to work for the sake of the country, tried to be remembered in the history with dignity, sometimes with very risky actions, sometimes new experiences. Any experience also has a miscarriage, which I consider very natural. I consider that we have a problem to solve, this issue is to organize free, fair democratic elections in our country. If we manage that, we will leave all the countries in the region behind by our progress”.
Aram Sargsyan described the atmosphere of that time as follows: “Then there were literature and Armenian history books, which we read, and admired. True, we were part of the Soviet state, but we did not have an independent Foreign Ministry, head of the country, all these were controlled by Moscow, we knew that there was genocide, and we considered it our duty to be present at the Monument on the day of memorial, to respect the memory, we had a complaint about it, and it turned out that we could protest this complaint and go out to the street for it, there was a feeling of indescribable freedom, complete elimination of fear. There was a desire to devote their lives to their homeland, we saw many examples of this during the Artsakh war, 6000 victims, 11 thousand wounded were the cream of our nation, who secured Armenia for today, and due to whom we have a stance of dignity, and have been able to protect ourselves and our possessions”.
Aram Sargsyan said he was not a member of the Armenian National Movement (ANM) but he was part of it and was acting by their instructions. He thinks they have done a very serious job and have a serious contribution to the process of establishing the country.
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
