On the birthday of the National Hero of Armenia, the first Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, Vazgen Sargsyan, Radar Armenia, spoke with Anahit Adamyan, a member of the political council of the "Republic" party.

-What was Vazgen Sargsyan like as an ordinary citizen, behind the scenes of politics, behind the cameras, and as a journalist?

-Warm, caring, and sensitive, more than sensitive, because, for some reason, he considered himself responsible for everyone and obliged to help everyone, no matter what the issue was. Aydin Morikyan and I constantly insisted that the state have a propaganda system to present what it did and explain the reasons for what it did not do to be considered a perceptible and predictable partner in the international arena, to change its image, and to ensure development. Vazgen Sargsyan agreed with the need for propaganda, the only objection being that there must be positive changes, action must be taken, and then it must be presented. Otherwise, propaganda becomes cynicism. I don't remember when his working day began or whether it ever ended. During many of our conversations, Vazgen's first words were: turn off that recorder, let's talk civilly, and then you can ask your official questions.

-Is there a warm story or a conversation with Vazgen Sargsyan that you haven't told yet and would like to tell today?

-Of course, many, many. Strangely, memories of Vazgen Sargsyan have stuck in my general memory, with their colors and aromas, and sometimes it seems to me that they are not real; I just saw a movie and was so impressed that I cannot forget it. On October 7-8, 1999, there was another meeting of the prime ministers of the CIS countries in Yalta. In the Livadia Tsarist Palace. The official meetings had already ended; we were waiting for the prime minister at the Yalta airport to return to Yerevan. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was also waiting for him. Vazgen was late. Anatoly Chubais was responsible for keeping Russian journalists and us busy and explained and presented the importance of Armenian-Russian relations, their history, and their future. Vazgen was not there. One hour. Two hours. Vladimir Putin was waiting patiently. Three hours. We had already returned to our plane and... We didn't know where Vazgen Sargsyan was; we knew he was at some meeting, but with whom? Why was he so late? He arrived. Happy, with eyes shining with delight. "I also said, 'You left me and went away.' I was meeting with the Prime Minister of Georgia; I tore off the debt from Lordkipanidze; he didn't want to take it, he resisted, and in the end, I convinced him." We went with him to meet with the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. Vladimir Putin, who had been patiently waiting for three hours, was no less radiant; we were only present for five minutes of the meeting with "precious Vazgen Zavenovich," and we were sent back to the plane to wait. After answering official questions upon returning to Yerevan, Vazgen Sargsyan asked us:

"V. S. - Did you go to the sea? Did you swim?"

We all went, but in October, the Black Sea is not a sea for swimming, and he went swimming both nights and collected beautiful stones from the beach.

"A. A. - I also collected stones," I said happily.

V. S. - Where are they? Show me."

I take a bag of stones out of my bag and pour them on Vazgen's table. He examines the rocks with all seriousness and chooses a few.

"V. S. - You won't be offended, right? These are very good for me. Do you want me to give you some of mine, too?

A. A. - No, mine is enough for me.

V. S. - But why did you collect stones?

A. A. - I always collect stones. I also have stones from the Van Sea, but they brought them; I haven't seen Van.

V. S. - How many are there?

A. A. - A handful; I keep them separately so that they don't get mixed up with my other stones; I haven't counted them.

V. S. - When we get to Yerevan, you'll bring them; I'll see, I don't have a stone from the Van Sea. You'll give it to me, right?

A. A. - Of course."

I didn't give them; I didn't make it.

- What would Armenia be like if Vazgen Sargsyan were alive? How would events have unfolded if the shooter had missed and the fatal bullet had not reached him?

- Unfortunately, history has neither a conditional nor a wishful thinking mode. If it had, not only Armenia, the region would be in a completely different situation. Every second sentence of Vazgen Sargsyan was: "People, the war is not over." We would continue to have the most combat-ready army in the region, the balance of power would never be disturbed, and there would be no reason for war because Vazgen Sargsyan had started a policy of restoring the Armenian economy. We would have the most efficiently working industry and the most productive agriculture in the region; the demographic picture would be completely different: people need security and work, and there would be no emigration; on the contrary, those who left would return.…

During his visit to the US, Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan made agreements on such programs that if even half of them were implemented, Armenia would receive investments and new technologies, eliminating any dependence on Russia. And, of course, Artsakh would be Armenian and populated by Armenians. On October 27, Armenia's independence and development opportunities were killed…

-What would you say to him today if you had such an opportunity?

-Of course, he would say it, and I would have nothing to answer except that, no matter what, we will still celebrate our victories, and, as he said, Shushi will be Armenian for 50 years, 500 years, and 5000 years. And the 21st century will be ours. Only the sovereignty and development of Armenia are the answers we can give on October 27; we have no other way out.

Hayk Magoyan