“The third president of Armenia (2008-2018) Serzh Sargsyan, in response to journalists’ questions on October 17, said: “For me, Artsakh’s page is not closed, I see an opportunity… That opportunity did not become a reality, because the Republic of Artsakh in order to make the self-determination a reality, faught against not only Azerbaijan, but also against the authorities of Armenia and Karabakh, the former Artsakh governments. Please understand my words correctly, not the former governments, but the former government.”
Serzh Sargsyan, without giving names, accused Nikol Pashinyan and Arayik Harutyunyan, who, along with the two former presidents of Artsakh, are in prison in Baku. The third president also said that those who accuse Samvel Shahramanian and the Artsakh parliament, which brought the latter to power, for the dissolution of Artsakh, “are lying”.
“The whole world is saying who surrendered and how they did it. What do the former presidents have to do with surrendering?” This is one qualification (situation, condition). The second qualification: what should the president elected by the last parliament do? Was Artsakh able to face Azerbaijan with the small army and small armed forces that remained? Of course, it was not possible. What was their desire? That those people would fight to the last man and die? And that the women and children would also become part of the Turks?” “Azadoutiun” is quoting the words of Serzh Sargsyan.
Serzh Sargsyan, like the second president Robert Kocharyan, publicly congratulated the election of Samvel Shahramanyan. On September 11, he sent a congratulatory message to the newly elected President of Artsakh, Samvel Shahramanian. The message said:
“Dear Mr. Shahramanyan, I congratulate you on assuming the post of the President of the Republic of Artsakh.
Mr. President, I am sure that you, together with your team, our brothers and sisters from Artsakh, with the help of the majority of the Armenian people, will save Artsakh from destruction.
I’m sure it’s possible.
I, my sympathizers and supporters, support you.”
About a week later, on September 19, Azerbaijan started military operations and captured new territories, villages, road junctions of Artsakh.
On September 28, Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree, about actions arising from the situation that came about after September 19, 2023.
According to the decree – due to the difficult and complicated military-political situation, and based on the priority of assuring the physical security and vital interests of the people of Artsakh, and taking into account the agreement reached with the representatives of the Republic of Azerbaijan through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping force; the citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh, including those who have given up their weapons, are provided free, voluntary and unimpeded exit with their vehicles and belongings through the Lachin Corridor. Governed by Article 93 of the Constitution of Nagorno-Karabakh, the decision was accepted:
1) By January 1, 2024, dissolve all state institutions and their subordinate organizations and the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) ceases to exist.
2) After the entry into force of this decree, the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, including those outside the borders of the republic, should familiarize themselves with the conditions of reintegration presented by the Republic of Azerbaijan, in order to independently and individually determine the possibility of staying (returning) to Nagorno-Karabakh in the future.
This decree entered into force immediately after its publication.”
Translated by V. H. Apelian
