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Did you fulfill your duty to Vazgen Sargsyan?

Politics

The Yerkrapah Volunteer Union of Land Defenders held its 8th congress today at the government sessions hall with the speech by Commander-in-Chief Vazgen Sargysan. Participating in the congress were people who had made a contribution to the war in Artsakh, starting from the Defense Ministers of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and ending with average soldiers. With a show of hands, General-Lieutenant Manvel Grigoryan was re-elected president of the union.

"The land defenders have earned the honor of keeping their heads up through their blood. We have nothing to give, but we have much to liberate," said Manvel Grigoryan. He called on everyone to unite "in order to not repeat the events of October 27 and March 1."

RA Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan welcomed the land defenders on behalf of Serzh Sargsyan and his speech was more of a summary of the Artsakh war and the victory. But when NKR Minister of Defense Movses Hakobyan was making his speech, an ordinary land defender whom not many know, got up from his seat and said "We'll see...yes, yes, we'll see.." and left. "This was the last Mohican," was heard from the department and was accompanied with laughter.

Representing the opposition camp was chairman of "Hanrapetutyun" (Republic) party Aram Sargsyan.

"I had to come. This organization was created by Vazgen," said Mr. Sargsyan. His speech was mainly composed of rhetorical questions. "My brother was the one who united you all. Have you fulfilled your duty to Vazgen? Do you have a feeling of pure remorse to Vazgen, your friends who died and your children? Aren't you going to go to Yerablur?"

Mr. Sargsyan regretted to say that a number of land defenders, including current and former political prisoners, are not taking part in the congress. He preferred to evaluate land defenders not by their current situation, but their conduct during the war. "I am certain that the next congress of the union will be out of turn and will discuss issues relating to challenges facing foreign policy."

Sargsyan's speech was followed by applause with the exception of those sitting in the front row, including the Defense Ministers of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, chairman of "Bargavach Hayastan" (Prosperous Armenia) party Gagik Tsarukyan and other pro-government representatives. Mr. Tsarukyan left the congress before it ended.