Babayan's political career has ended
"My political career has ended," former Karabakh Army chief, Lieutenant General Samvel Babayan was quoted as saying.
"I am not going to affiliate myself with any political party," Samvel Babayan told a press conference today.
With regard to the Karabakh conflict settlement, Samvel Babayan announced, "Azerbaijan wants to wage a war, and Armenia must get ready. Even if Azerbaijan makes some progress it will lose the war as they will have more than 2-3 million refugees and will have to feed them instead of the army."
Samvel Babayan is against territorial surrender. "People have shed blood on these territories and we can let no surrender," notes Mr. Babayan and adds that the rumours about territorial surrender have been circulated since 1996.
The disputed territories are rich in gold and mines and can be ceded in no case. Every time I watch Aliyev at the negotiation table I get the impression that Azerbaijan is the winner and Armenia-the loser. The real winner seems to be the one who lost the war."
Samvel Babayan also announced that Armenia is not a conflicting side to determine Karabakh's fate. "I have participated in the negotiations over Karabakh since 1999. And if ever I failed to be present at the talks the American side made me do it."
A1+ observed that former Karabakh leaders and officials have settled in Armenia and wondered who would take care of Karabakhi people and their security.
"I didn't leave Karabakh. I simple settled in Armenia not to intervene in Karbakh's life. I don't want to make an impression that I pine for power. If I stayed there I would continue my struggle against wrongfulness. On the other hand, I knew that all issues are discussed and settled in Armenia. The second reason for my resettlement was that," answered Mr. Babayan.
