Acting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan traveled to the southern province of Syunik today, most probably to mollify public resentment over his recent appointment of a former deputy police chief as the province’s governor.

According to a government press release, Pashinyan told residents that Syunik is the backbone of Armenia and is the focus of government attention.

“I want to thank you for steadfastly living, working and struggling on this land. I know the difficulties you have overcome. Today, however, you have received one of the most important things, freedom, and respect for your rights,” Pashinyan is reported to have said, calling on residents to find a way to live and work together.

While the press release says that residents posed a number of questions of concern to Pashinyan,  none, allegedly, were about his nomination of Hunan Poghosyan as Syunik Governor. Rather, the press release claims that residents asked about community development, job creation, and steps to improve agriculture.

In fact, the only time Hunan Poghosyan’s name is cited in the press release, it’s to say that he was with Pashinyan during the visit and that the two met with Syunik community representatives.

Pashinyan is said to have urged Syunik residents to work hard and develop their own businesses, reassuring them that their taxes would no longer be squandered or stolen.