We tend to be totally constructive and accept settlement through any variant to maintain national interests on strategic level: Varuzhan Avetisyan

Interview with Varuzhan Avetisyan, Deputy Head of the Founding Parliament, member of “Sasna Tsrer” group.

On July 17 at dawn—around 5.30am representatives of the Founding Parliament and armed members of “Sasna Tsrer” group took Armenian police patrol regiment headquarters. “Rebellion has been launched in Armenia’s capital,” members of Founding Parliament informed through social networks. V.Avetisyan, together with other teammates is in Armenian police patrol regiment headquarters, which is surrounded by the Police forces. They’re keeping 4 high-ranking officers and other policemen as hostages. According to the members of Founding Parliament and “Sasna Tsrer” at the moment negotiations are ongoing between their leader Jirair Sefilian, who was detained on June  20 and currently is in Vardashen penitentiary, to settle the situation.

Mr. Avetisyan, Alek Yenigomshyan, member of secretariat of Founding Parliament and former member of ASALA, told that Jirair Sefilian is ready to negotiate with the authorities, and it’s not obligatory that they discussed the claims set forward by “Sasna Tsrer.” What can you say in this regard?

There is a third variant proposed by Jirair Sefilian, which will provide the opportunity to settle this situation peacefully and that situation is currently being discussed, and we follow those negotiations and we also make a steps forward to show our readiness of being constructive.

What’s the essence of that third variant?

Upon mutual agreement, it’s confidential and we’re not providing details as it’s yet to start.

How acceptable is the variant proposed by Jirair Sefilian?

We’re still discussing it, that variant hasn’t been totally developed, it should be developed. As soon as it’s developed, we can express final opinion, we still refrain from expressing opinion on it. We tend to be totally constructive and we accept settlement by any variant to maintain national interests on strategic level.

You say, it’s still under discussion, are there any contradictions linked to that third variant?

There is a preparatory phase prior to its discussion, and we’re at this phase now, we clarify some positions to reach them.

Information was obtained that police forces are approaching to the territory of the building, where are you now? What’s going on at the moment?

Probably they’re approaching not to allow movement of people to this direction, as people are walking from Opera House to this direction, a bit later we’ll clarify, we’re observing the territory.

By Ani Keshishyan