Robert Kocharyan, Armenia’s second president and the prime ministerial candidate of the Hayastan alliance, said during a rally in Erebuni that the Armenian army has been turned into a “guard force,” with 90 percent of personnel engaged in guard duties.
“They have turned the army into a guard force, 90 percent are doing guard duty. When was the last time you heard about military exercises — not parades, but actual drills? How many years has it been? Nothing is being done. A modern army cannot function as a guard army,” Kocharyan said, according to Factor.am .
He stated that the Hayastan alliance’s security model is based on three main components: a combat-ready army, strong leadership and a powerful ally.
Kocharyan also accused the authorities of systematically damaging relations with a key ally, although he did not specify which country he meant.
“Every day, through consistent steps, they are ruining relations with that ally. Why? To create a situation where they can tell people: dear citizens, we have no way out, we are alone, nobody stands beside us, we are weak, therefore we must submit to all demands. There is no other explanation for all this. Only an enemy could lead the country in this way,” Kocharyan said.
In his speech, the former president also addressed the increase in Armenia’s foreign debt, claiming it had risen by $8 billion in recent years while, according to him, no major projects had been implemented in Yerevan.
The election campaign that began on May 8 will continue until June 5. June 6 will be observed as a day of silence, while elections will take place on June 7.
