Media representatives did not receive definite answer from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (video)
A group of media representatives today gathered outside the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding a clear explanation from the agency over the recent ceasefire violations and tense situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border. They wondered whether the Armenian side has already applied to the CSTO in connection with the border incidents. The journalists were unable to talk to Minister Edward Nalbandian who hurriedly entered the building. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tigran Balayan showed up every now and then, approached the journalists and tried to explain the situation asking to be ‘off the record.’ The journalists’ request to talk personally to the Minister was left unanswered. Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan agreed to receive the group but without recorders and cameras. The journalists waiting outside the Ministry building for more than an hour demanded to give them a definite answer which they could publish in the press. The only official sentence was pronounced by Tigran Balayan who said ‘at this stage we find it inexpedient to publicize out actions.’ In the morning of January 23, at around 9am, Azerbaijani special detachments attacked a number of positions in Berd, Tavush region of Armenia. Armenian vanguard units timely spotted the enemy’s advancement. This was followed by firefight that lasted about 30 minutes. Lieutenant Karen A. Galstyan and private Artak V. Sargsyan were killed in the shoot-out. A number of servicemen were injured.
