Bulbuloglu Came to Yerevan Without a Gun, Because He’s Not Going to Karabakh

Yesterday evening, after the concert by the CIS Youth Symphony Orchestra, the MashtotsРSayat-Nova intersection in central Yerevan was closed to passers-by since coming out of the Armenian National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Alexander Spendiaryan was RA President Serzh Sargsyan.

Following Sargsyan, walking quickly, smiling and speaking with the president occasionally, was RA Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan. Serzh Sargsyan was responding to her questions mainly without turning around.

Following them was Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu and Armenia’s former Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbadyan. Guiding them was National Security Service officers.

The Epress.am journalist wasn’t allowed to approach the ambassador.

“Polad Bulbulovich,” the journalist called out to the ambassador, but the diplomat didn’t respond.

“Mr. Bulbuloglu,” continued the journalist, despite the guard’s warnings.

“Polad Muallim,” said the journalist once, after which, Bulbuloglu finally turned around.

“You’re without an automatic rifle?” asked the journalist.

“This time I’m not preparing to go to Karabakh,” said the Azerbaijani diplomat, smiling.

After this exchange of words, the guards kept the journalist away from the diplomat.

Recall that last year, after the Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations led by their ambassadors in Russia had gone to Yerevan, Baku and Nagorno-Karabakh under “their own peace initiative,” Bulbuloglu had stated that next time he’s going to go to Nagorno-Karabakh with a “Kalashnikov.”

It should be noted that Armenia’s former Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatyan is the Director of CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Foundation (IHCF), which organized the youth orchestra’s guest visit. Bulbuloglu is the Management Director of IFESCCO, the Intergovernmental Foundation for Educational, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States).

Headed by Vladimir Spivakov, the CIS Youth Symphony Orchestra had come to Yerevan from Baku on a direct flight.