Araik Harutyunyan acknowledges Karabakh Armenians' discontent with his rule

Baku/20.02.23/Turan: Armenian separatists promptly responded to President Ilham Aliyev's Munich speech, in which he rejected the possibility of negotiations with what separatists call "state minister" Ruben Vardanyan and expressed an intention to establish a checkpoint on the Lachin road.

The first to react was the representative of the illegal 'president' in the Russian-controlled part of Karabakh, Araik Harutyunyan.   Ruben Vardanian's presence in Karabakh and his activities are an internal matter for Karabakh Armenians and can in no way be discussed by the Azerbaijani government, spokesperson Lusine Avanesyan said.

Note that R. Vardanian also spoke, maintaining the ideology of separation from Azerbaijan.

The people are ready to withstand any difficulties, and have sufficient will and tenacity to pass these tests. We must be worthy to lead this nation. We have everything to overcome this difficult stage in history: faith, will, spirit and unity. I believe that spirit and will, even with the smallest of opportunities, can bring success. And I will do my best for that. This is only the beginning of a long journey, Vardanian said.

Along with a demonstration of an anti-Azerbaijani position, other statements are heard from the separatist leadership. On 19 February, Araik Harutyunyan made a statement on Facebook, where he admitted serious internal contradictions. He noted that the governing bodies of the Armenian community "do not fully reflect public sentiments, and in some cases do not have the necessary level of trust, which, given today's uncertainty and constantly evolving events, often generates waves of objective and subjective discontent, leading to outbursts and internal turmoil," Harutyunyan wrote.

He agreed with the public's demand and set up a consultative body with representatives from different regions of the Armenian-populated part of Karabakh, with the right to give advice and recommendations to the head. Harutyunyan said he would deliver a message on 23 February on the "threats, plans and next steps".

Should we expect Vardanian to step down on February 23? Armenian online resources are reporting that Arutyunyan is preparing a decision to send Vardanyan to resign. However, there are no words hinting at the possibility of such a decision in the speech of the "state minister". -0-