“The notion of positive relations with Turkey dates back to the time of Levon Ter-Petrossian. I have always said that Turkey is Armenia’s number one enemy. It remains as such today. And to talk about some Armenian-Turkish friendship when you know their plans? Armenia is not in their plans. This area must be cleared of Armenians, this is their plan and the big Turan,” said Ashot Harutyunyan, director of the Shushi History Museum, speaking to Aravot Daily about the peace agenda brought forth by the authorities. He noted that it is impossible to have relations with Turkey knowing that in the 44-day war, the special forces of Turkey, the special forces of Pakistan, and Afghan troops fought against us. “24,000 people from those three major states fought against us and were directly under Shushi. How can there be Armenian-Turkish friendship when they fought against you? We have a friendly country, Iran.
I do not understand why we constantly give up on Iran when Iran has been proving for 30 years that it is a friendly country to Armenia. Enter the world market through Iran. Who said that Iran would not allow you to build a railway through its territory to the Persian Gulf? The question is whether such an offer was made to the Iranian government. It was not. I am categorically against entering into any relations with Turkey. If Russia is friendly, then it should allow us to cross the Caspian Sea through Iran. This is how we should play the game. China has great interests today because Turkey is in danger. We have to play on those interests.”
The IDPs from Artsakh are protesting in front of the government, demanding a solution to their housing and socioeconomic problems. Ashot Harutyunyan said that this issue could also be solved this way. “We demand a roof from the government, according to the communities, within a radius of 20 km around Yerevan. Establishment of temporary settlements should be Nor Kashatagh, Nor Shushi, and Nor Hadrut. These people are given houses on the condition that the men agree to go and keep our borders there for at least 10-15 days a month. This can become an interesting program not only in Armenia but also in Artsakh. Government, let’s work constructively. Today, the government cannot tell us to mobilize without giving us homes. I will say, brother, I do not have a house yet.”
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Hripsime Jebejyan
