“During the war, our nation won the right to live in freedom, and we should be able to keep that,” said Commander of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces and Defense Minister Major-General Seyran Ohanyan.

It is much easier to achieve victory in a war than to later transform that victory to stability and development, especially in Karabakh, where victory has not yet heralded an end to the war. Everyday life demands a lot more courage, because you have to face the terrible consequences of the war every step of the way.

The Karabakh army commander said that victory in Karabakh's struggle for freedom was due to the unified effort among Armenians from Karabakh, Mother Armenia and the Diaspora. “We need to unite again, hold on to our achievements and move forward.”

Ohanyan believes that the development of regions close to Karabakh's border is of great importance. Last year, the money raised during the Armenia Fund telethon was dedicated in its entirety to solving socio-economic problems in the region of Martakert. This year, it is Hadrut's turn.

The commander reminded us that Hadrut was the main target during the war. “The Azerbaijanis hit Hadrut hard. We need to develop and improve this place. We need to show the world that we are capable of developing in peacetime what we won in war.”

Seyran Ohanyan assured us that the Defense Forces were at a high level of readiness today. The minister had the following to say about the belligerent rhetoric emanating periodically from Azerbaijan: “If the Azerbaijanis were sure that they were stronger than us, as they claim to be, then military operations would have definitely restarted. We are able to preserve peace today because of a balance of power. As far as population, military numbers, as well as arms and ammunition go, we are inferior to Azerbaijan, but we maintain a balance of power by having a strong frontline, better equipment, army training, and discipline.”

Seyran Ohanyan proudly noted that among those countries with mandatory military service, the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh was one of the few places where people didn't try to dodge conscription. “Every child, from ordinary citizens to the children of high-ranking officials, knows that he must serve his homeland.”

The commander believes that compromise is the last option in resolving the Karabakh issue. “We need the world to recognize Karabakh as an independent and sovereign state, so that we can fully connect with Mother Armenia.”

The people of Karabakh have gone through many difficulties both during the war and afterwards. But they have never felt neglected or abandoned. Armenians from Armenia and the Diaspora have always been present in Karabakh, providing valuable support, both materially and morally. “It was thanks to them that we could win the war and develop our country. It is thanks to the Armenians from the Diaspora that we have been able to build a network of roads, which is strategically very important and allows us to connect every part of the country,” said the army commander, expressing gratitude for the support.

Ohanyan assured us that the army was doing everything possible to provide the country with stability and security, but acknowledged that it was the people that make a country – the workers, especially the youth, who face a number of social and economic problems today, after paying their dues to the country during the war. “We have an unemployment problem in Karabakh today, which we need to solve in order to bind our youth to this country once and for all. We hope for support from all Armenians in solving this problem,” said the commander, confident that the 2006 telethon would signal the start of Hadrut's rebirth.