“Source of corruption is customs checkpoints” (video)
Today at the first conference of Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian alliance “Heritage” President Raffi Hovannisian addressed members of the conference via video message, during which he said, “Today marks the birthday of great commander Andranik and with his power today we gathered. During the upcoming weeks we will prove the people that the victory is in unity.” Former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan was met by the members of the conference standing. He noted in his speech that today we don’t have a right to make a mistake, as the matter is the security of the RA and Artsakh, “To lead all the pre-election discussions from the point of view of security, do not walk into trap of populism and baseless promises.” He also announced that he will answer all the questions and will present the main directions of their alliance, “Why did I enter the politics being a non-partisan and a soldier; the answer is clear- my decision is based on the conviction that all the chances of Armenia have been exhausted with the current system. It’s a turning point for us. I have never struggled for a post; I will not conceal, I have been offered different high positions, which I refused. The highest position of my life was fighting on the front line 25 years ago, standing by people and soldiers, later I have never took off my military uniform. As of my relations with the current authorities, I can say that I don’t have personal problems with anyone. But today I cannot see myself in the current authorities, as our approaches of facing future challenges differ, we need new political elite, new atmosphere among the people.” In his speech he highlighted army, current problems and his vision, “Anthropocentric work and fight against corruption are priority. We should increase the number of contractual servicemen in three years and make their salary AMD 240 000. Military service will become more attractive by this.” He publicly called on the leaders of all the political forces to present their vision on the issue of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, “The balance between the RA and Azerbaijan should be kept, boost so called people’s diplomacy for creating atmosphere of mutual trust. April War showed that it disrupts the negotiations process. During the conflict resolution there shouldn’t be winners or losers, or unilateral concessions, as a result of that we cannot reach long lasting peace between the nations.” Shadow economy, source of corruption, according to Seyran Ohanyan, is border checkpoints, “The RA monopoly starts from here and the economic changes should start from here.”
