By voting for these traitors, you will agree to the surrender of Artsakh, and later – to that of Syunik. You will allow the war to continue. Serzh Sargsyan

Remarks by RA Third President, RPA President Serzh Sargsyan at presentation of Salute of Honor and Respect bloc’s electoral platform and team members

I can see that many of you were surprised that Mr. Vanetsyan spoke the first although I was supposed to deliver the opening remarks according to the protocol. I just believe that this is the right way to go. I asked Mr. Vanetsyan to be the first to take the floor as I wanted to emphasize that General Vanetsyan is actually leading our bloc’s electoral roster, and therefore he must be the first everywhere; he is supposed to lead the way; he must lead the team, while strong with my long experience and contacts, I will back him with advice, if necessary. I will stand by each of you.

Dear colleagues,

The electoral campaign for snap parliamentary elections is starting today in unusual conditions. As you may know, these elections were not what we dreamt of. In these difficult days for the Motherland, extraordinary elections were imposed on the nation; we accepted the challenge and are now prepared for struggle or, as our epic says, we are firmly determined to strike the last blow for the sake of the future of Armenia.

Unfortunately, the Government formed by these capitulators, who are fond of power more than they love their homeland, failed to step down. They chose the path of snap elections (to which we opposed from the outset) in order to bring new upheavals to our nation caught up in despair and bereavement.

The Salute of Honor and Respect election bloc, as formed by the Republican Party of Armenia and the Motherland party, is giving the lead in search of a compromise for the sake of nationwide mobilization to achieve our long-cherished goals.

As you know, our alliance is led by Arthur Vanetsyan. I have had several occasions over the past few weeks to speak about Arthur Vanetsyan’s impeccable service record, his patriotism, and the reasons for forming an alliance with his political party. During the next two weeks, our nominees will join us for a nationwide tour to introduce our electoral program; we will submit our vision of the future for the people’s judgment.

We are firmly determined. Each member of our team, on or off the roster, can declare unequivocally that they have the needed knowledge, experience, willpower, and honor to save the country from the shameful grasp of these capitulators. Now or never!

We should all make it clear that this is not an ordinary election. This time, unfortunately, the choice implies the survival or annihilation of our statehood. It is a choice between “losing” or “not losing” the Motherland.

This election is one or even the last chance to avoid the fate of those nations deprived of sovereign statehood. I do not want my grandchildren or your children to hang pictures of Tatev Monastery or Lake Sevan on the walls in their home next to that of Mount Ararat as a reminder of our lost homeland.

Dear teammates!

During the past three years, the RPA went through the purgatory of 2018 as it faced political persecution, hate speech etc.; every effort was made to silence us, but we did not remain silent, neither did we back down in any way.

Now it is easy for me and my teammates to say “we did warn everyone,” “we predicted,” and so on. Today these are useless words. These words will not bring back the 5,000 martyred boys, nor 75% of our homeland lost in Artsakh. They will not help us build homes for 35,000 refugees, nor restore our national dignity.

Who would have ever thought that our heroes who gave the Motherland what they held dearest of all – their lives – would not even get the opportunity to rest in peace on their native land?

Armenia lost the respect and trust of its allies because of these traitors.

This populist and immoral government did everything to ensure that we, as a nation, be torn apart, weakened, defeated in war, and sentenced to slow death. And now we actually find ourselves in such a situation.

The upcoming election is a chance to defy the challenge of an imminent death. During these days we have been witnessing attempts to steer the political agenda in the wrong direction. I have never been an advocate of “black and white” or other destructive slogans. I have always tried to build bridges of solidarity and unity within the country all the way through my public activities.

Our task is to reinstate solidarity in the country and stop the polarization of society. There should never be several poles in the country. Everyone should have learned this lesson by now. This standoff opposes on the one hand the treacherous Capitulator with his loathsome little servants, and on the other – the people, all healthy forces of Armenia’s political field. We are far from seeking further polarization and social divide; instead we wish to get rid of the devastating rule of capitulators with a knock-out blow.

Only the roads leading to treason and emigration, the one which brings the enemy closer to our borders, the path of lies and falsification and nothing else should be blocked and banned, if there are any roads to be ever closed in our country.

Thousands of my teammates, including many present here, keep asking me whether opportunists will again be indulged in our ranks due to my forgiveness or perhaps insufficient memory. Let me put it this way: against the backdrop of such a tremendous national crisis, when war is declared on our state both inside and outside, we must ignore everything except to make the outcome of the war in our favor.

Therefore, we will declare amnesty for all those who will stand by us in the deadly fight against the destructive scum from now on, I repeat, from now on, and not at the moment they may smell the victory, for all those who will join us in a bid to redeem the manipulated portion of our society, because there is nothing more precious than the Homeland, otherwise they will be deemed as deserters, with all the relevant consequences.

In conclusion, I would like to say a couple of words to our compatriots who are still in error.

By voting for these traitors, you will agree to the surrender of Artsakh, and later – to that of Syunik. You will allow the war to continue.

It has been 27 days since the enemy troops crossed into Armenia’s sovereign territory. Shepherds and soldiers are being captured every day. The enemy intends to occupy new villages and settlements. You will feel humiliated both at home and abroad. We will be considered a nation of outcasts, which will be ignored on the part of international partners.

I am also addressing my compatriots who are disappointed and indifferent: Armenians, my dear Armenians, get out of that deadly, destructive coma of indifference.

I am now calling on our supporters:
Please use this campaign to talk to your friends and relatives who are still suffering from Nikolism, to answer their questions. Help them. They are your sisters and brothers. Be patient and sincere.

We owe a victorious and powerful homeland to our heroic martyrs, to those soldiers who put their health on the altar of the Homeland, the officers and their descendants.

Settling a debt is a matter of dignity for any worthy individual; it is just a matter of honor, and we will settle the debt.

God save us all!