Armenia’s ex-DM invited to ad hoc committee studying April 2016 war circumstances

Former defense minister Seyran Ohanyan has been invited to the ad hoc committee set up to study the April 2016 war circumstances.

Speaking to the reporters afterwards, Ohanyan said the work was tensed and lasted for almost 3,5 hours but was very effective.

“I gave corresponding information to the committee. Let us allow it work,” Ohanyan said, adding that they have discussed the flaws and gaps registered during the April war.

“Can you name a person who is not making mistakes? While being a minister I said that making mistakes and eliminating them is not a big mistake but making them and not eliminating will mean leaving the troops in the battle field alone,” Ohanyan said.

Asked whether the mistakes were fatal, Ohanyan gave negative response.

“The commandership of the Armed Forces, the system knew its commitments and carried out its activities in the sidelines of their functions.  There were no material-technical issues. I want to reiterate that if there were some flaws in the lower circles they stemmed from difficulties and peculiarities of war activities,” Ohanyan said.

Referring to the statement of Nikol Pashinyan that the April war took place with the knowledge of the Russian Federation, Ohanyan said, “I can dispel all concerns. If you are speaking about plot, I can state that there can be no other plot but Turkish-Azerbaijani. End such talks,” Ohanyan stressed.