October 27 might unleash new war
After the terrorist attack of October 27, when the country's executive and legislative bodies were left beheaded, Armenians feared lest Azerbaijan might seize the opportunity and unleash a new war.
On October 27, 1999, Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Vagharshak Harutyunyan was in Goris conducting ordinary checkups. As soon as Mr. Harutyunyan was reported about the attack, he had cotactedPresident Robert Kocharyan.
"The constitutional order was breached in Armenia and the legislative body was subject to an armed attack. The NA building was under the state protection, which means our state officials failed to disclose and prevent the plotted attack. I telephoned Robert Kocahryan to learn the situation. Then I ordered to prepare the army, strengthen the intelligence section and control the line of contact between Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces," Vagharshak Harutyunyan told A1+.
Upon returning to Armenia, the minister learnt that the Azerbaijani forces were advancing along the frontline.
"As soon as I learnt the news, I contacted Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev. I told him that we were informed of their plans and were ready to take relevant measures to stop their future advance. I demanded the Azerbaijani troops return to their initial positions.
Safar Abiyev had learnt about the terrorist act from the press and inquired about the details. I said it was our domestic issue, which could not endanger Azerbaijan. Thirty minutes later Abiyev called me to inform that the Azerbaijani army had surrendered."
After the conversation, Mr. Harutyunyan ordered to strengthen control over the line of contact.
The ex minister says on October 27 the Armenian army was more organized than ever.
"The army acted under definite orders. All servicemen were ready for massive actions. We transported huge technique in a short time, and no incident was reported in the meantime. No casualty was registered in the Armenian army during the next two months - an exceptional phenomenon in our army."
Asked why soldiers were taken to the capital on October 27, Mr. Harutyunyan said, "Minutes after the attack it became known that the terrorists aimed to assassinate Vazgen Sargsyan and Karen Demirtchyan. They did not mean to harm MPs and ministers. On the one hand, we feared that irregular actions could result in the continuation of the crime. On the other hand, we did not want to kill the terrorists not to complicate the disclosure of perpetrators. To exclude the development of both scenarios, members of the Special Forces Regiment guarded the vicinity of the NA building and the military police worked inside the building.
As for the allegations that the Defense Ministry held meetings at different levels on the day of tragedy, Mr. Harutyunyan said, "I did not host anyone on that day as I did not see the necessity."
