Tensions grow among Karabakh separatists

Baku16.01.23/Turan: Last Saturday, a number of sources in Karabakh reported on the imminent resignation of "State Minister" Ruben Vardanian. A day later, Vardanian himself refuted the reports as saying that he did not intend to resign and would fight until the end.

Late on Sunday night, the Armenian sources reported that a meeting of the "security council" had been held where the "opposing sides" had come to an agreement.

Amid this background, the information resources, controlled by the separatist leaders, reported about the possibility of extraordinary "parliamentary" and "presidential" elections in Karabagh.  In particular, on January 14, the "parliament speaker" Artur Tovmasian said that he would take part in the presidential elections if they were to take place. This statement can be interpreted as a reluctance of Karabakhis to give all power to an alien in the person of Ruben Vardanyan.

The current developments testyify to serious contradictions among the separatists, which are directly linked with the figure of Ruben Vardanyan. There is no doubt that these contradictions are also influenced by the position of Yerevan.

Thus, in his speech at a government meeting last week, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the "authorities" of Karabakh must negotiate directly with Baku. In doing so, Yerevan made it clear that if the Karabakh people do not accept Yerevan's position, responsibility for the consequences will lie with them.

On the other hand, the speaker of the Armenian parliament, Alain Simonyan, was more categorical. Speaking to journalists he harshly stated that "Stepanakert must come to terms with Baku on its own", and that Yerevan will not do it.

All these statements were accompanied by the publication of compromising information on the current "president" of Karabagh, Araik Harutyunyan, who, "having received money from Baku", is seeking to remove Ruben Vardanyan.

Meanwhile, today on 16 January, Araik Harutyunyan dismissed Ashot Akopjanyan, the head of the 'Karabakh national security service'. Ararat Melkumyan, who became the head of the 'Karabakh security council' only a week ago, was appointed to his post. This position was taken by Samvel Shahramanyan. 

How these reshuffles are related to the above will become clear in the near future. -02B-