“It will definitely be used for shooting”
If a gun is hanging from the window, it will definitely be used for shooting. This is the guiding principle for Vice-Chairman of "Heritage" Party Ruben Hakobyan who is seriously concerned about Russia selling the C-300 missile system to Azerbaijan. "Thanks to format changes like these, our region has turned into the most militarized region on the planet," said Ruben Hakobyan.
During the press conference, representatives of "Heritage" Ruben Hakobyan and Stepan Safaryan presented the party's viewpoints on Russian President Medvedev's visit to Armenia and the agreement on extending the timeframe and authorizations of the Russian military bases in Armenia.
"Television airwaves are littered with cajolery. You get the impression that Armenians applaud the agreement and that insults me," said Ruben Hakobyan as he touched upon how the authorities present Medvedev's visit to Armenia. According to Stepan Safaryan, never could he imagine that speaking about Armenia's independence could be perceived as betrayal and anti-Russian.
The "Heritage" party's representatives believe that the Armenian authorities still have to clarify the agreement signed during Medvedev's visit.
"There is nothing stated about Artsakh's security in the agreement. Artsakh is not a territory of the CSTO. Artsakh is situated de yure in a country which clearly states that Armenia is its enemy in the security doctrine. The next issue refers to delivering the C-300 missile system to Azerbaijan. What steps is Armenia taking to prevent this deal? And finally, why is the timeframe for allocating military bases being extended for 49 years?" said Hakobyan.
Upon receiving the answers to these questions, "Heritage" will present its final viewpoint. At the moment, Stepan Safaryan assures that "Heritage" will vote against the ratification of the agreement with Russia, if it enters the National Assembly in this form.
"If the Russians sell the C-300 missile system to Azerbaijan, we will exclude them from the field of strategic cooperation with Armenia and that is when the issue of leaving the CSTO will become urgent," said Safaryan.
