General Manvel Grigorian’s speech causes stir in parliament

During the discussion of the draft law on the status of Yerkrapah volunteer in the parliament today, one of the authors of that legislative initiative, Head of Yerkarpah Union of Volunteers, member of Republican Party of Armenia, General Manvel Grigorian made a speech. He told the deputies about Karabakh war veterans and the participation of azatamartiks (freedom fighters) in military operations.

“We transported the bodies of killed azatamartiks in several cars. We buried them in Yerablur,” Grigorian noted. He said in his speech that the draft is related to volunteers who fought in the Karabakh war.

In his words, about 85 thousand people currently have special rights, including 35 thousand azatamartiks (Karabakh war veterans). “Yet many azatamartiks were left off those lists: Armen from my detachment, many guys from Dashnaktsutyun because they did not enlist in the army in 1992 but they fought together with us. And after the war they handed in their weapons and went home,” the general said.

He discussed emigration, job creation, and the problem of hailstorm-hit Armavir province as well. He called on everyone not to spread discord. “The government’s composition may change in a month. You should not spread discord,” Grigorian stated. His words caused a violent reaction in the hall. In response, the parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamian joked that “nobody intends to swap places in a month”.

It should be mentioned that the general is not fond of making speeches in Armenia’s parliament and his speech caused quite a stir in the parliament.

The draft law on the status of Yerkrapah volunteer was passed by a majority of votes. 99 deputies voted for it.