NKR Defense Minister: Samvel Babayan's actions are sabotage against Artsakh's sovereignty

Defense Minister of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Lt.  General Levon Mnatskanyan is sure that the actions by Samvel Babayan, the former defense minister of NKR is a sabotage against the public, sovereignty, and the defense capacity of Artsakh. 

Speaking on the Artsakh public television, the minister addressed Samvel Babayan's speech at the Memorial for the Artsakh War Heroes and recommended the former minister to leave, if he cannot settle the problems accumulated in the country. "It would be clear and admissible for me if Babayan call for consolidation, but what he did is a sabotage against our public, sovereignty and defense capabilities," Levon Mnatsakanyan said.

As for Samvel Babayan's criticism at the Defense Army of Artsakh, Minister Mnatskanyan said that Karabakh army fulfilled the tasks set to it during the four-day war. He disclaimed Babayan's statement saying that it was not war, but a sabotage attack. "I would understand if the ordinary people having no relevant knowledge and skills made such assessments. However, this is unfortunate when the former minister of defense of the NKR makes such assessment," Mnatsakanyan said for conclusion.  Upon his return to Artsakh, Samvel Babayan visited the Memorial for the Artsakh War Heroes where he delivered a speech saying he has enough skills to upgrade the efficiency of the NKR Defense Army, but Artsakh's leadership does not listen to him.  "If you can not do anything, leave and let them who can to do it," Babayan said and urged the people to make their demands to the authorities. Babayan's supporters gathered in front of the NKR president's residence demanding the president to appoint Babayan as defense minister. 

Samvel Babayan is a military, statesman and political figure, Lt.  General, Artsakh National Hero.  Since 1992 he had been coordinating the defense operations of NKR regions, participated in the development of Shushi liberation operation, participated in the international talks for settlement of the Karabakh conflict, was commander of the NKR Defense Army. He signed the ceasefire treaty of Armenia and NKR with Azerbaijan on behalf of the NKR. He was a member of the government and security council at the NKR President. In 2001, he was accused of organizing assassination attempt on NKR president Arkady Ghoukassyan that resulted in serious wounds of the Karabakh president, one of his bodyguards and the driver. He was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment but was pardoned by President Arkady Ghoukassyan on September 17 2010 on occasion of the 13th anniversary of the referendum of independence of NKR.  He founded the Justice opposition bloc in Armenia.

In March 2005, Samvel Babayan said in an interview with RFE/RL Armenian Service that the sides to the conflict are not able to go on big concessions. Specifically, he said, the sides cannot assume the responsibility for mutual concessions. In response to the question about what particular concessions Nagorno Karabakh could make, Samvel Babayan said: "It is a fact  that Nagorno Karabakh should go on concessions, cede some territories for peace, and peace not just in NKR, but also in the Caucasus, for the future.

However, it depends on how high will be the guarantee of its security. Some link the security to army, but I don't think so. Security is connected with these very territories and there are serious issues that should be settled within these frameworks. In this light, the status of Nagorno Karabakh is a secondary issue," Babayan said. It is necessary to settle the issue of refugees, forced migrants. They should return to their homes and confidence-building problems must be settled politically. As for the possibility of the resumption of military actions, the ex- minister of defense of NKR said: "If the parties fail to resolve the conflict peacefully then a war between them will take place sooner or later." He said the steps taken by the Azerbaijan army show that it is preparing for war," Samvel Babayan said.