G. Hakobyan: The forces and means of the National Security Service give opportunity to fully control the operative situation and any encroachment against the Republic of Armenia will be held

YEREVAN, ARMENPRESS: Director of Armenian National Security Service Gorik Hakobyan gave interview to Armenpress news agency.

- Mr. Hakobyan is the establishment headed by you ready for the opening of Armenian-Turkish border?

- The National Security Service is a realized institution, and I assure that the border troops, department of protection of diplomatic representations as well as divisions of anti-investigation, fighting against terrorism, without big efforts, in a right way will implement their duties. In case of necessity additional measures will be undertaken. Armenian President and the National Security Council have been reported about it. The forces and means of the National Security Service give opportunity to fully control the operative situation and any encroachment against the Republic of Armenia will be confronted in the initial round.

- According to press reports, there are certain disputes and even confrontations in the Armenian-Georgian border sector. How will you comment on the situation?

- The Armenian-Georgian border sector protection is being implemented by the USSR state border line and now there are no changes yet. About 17 posts have been built on the northern border of the Republic of Armenia equipped with contemporary engineering-technical devices. For solving certain disputed during the Armenian-Georgian border zoning works representatives of border zoning, border lining governmental commissions regularly meet, discuss and give solutions to issues. In all cases the results of the works of the commission must be ratified by the legislative bodies of the two countries and only after it we will have a clear line of border protection alongside of which the border guard service will be implemented.

- Recently the Armenian National Security Service often comes forth with a statement on revealing regular bribe taker. Does the number of cases increase, or has the fighting against it been strengthened? People say they are small fish, will the turn come to sharks too?

- Corruption has high professional skills: it changes its masks incessantly, changes its shape and improves and in these conditions the fighting against it will be effective in case of support of different civil public institutions and active support of the population. The cases of corruption revealed by us cannot basically change the situation but they witness the growing trust of public toward our establishment. For disarming, as you said the sharks, Armenians must not tolerate injustice and must cooperate with law enforcement bodies. Unfortunately in our reality many are inclined to solve difficult issues through bribe but the experience of the civilized world shows that the effective way of fighting against this enrooted evil is agreed with the civilized conscious of each. In short, all people must fight against the phenomena, there is no other way.

- Approximately half a year ago the National Security Service revealed the client and those who committed the assassination attempt against chairman of the State Revenue Committee Gagik Khachatryan. In what phase is this case?

- This crime is completely revealed. The chief client who ordered the murder is wanted and, without doubts, will soon be brought to Armenia. I hope the group of direct committers will not have an opportunity to commit such like crimes for many years.

- Gevorg Hayrapetyan, arrested by the Armenian National Security Service for spying and betrayal, in a letter to the Armenian President and press rejects the accusations and tries to give them a political color.

- Murad Bojolyan, convicted for spying, was also seeking different ways for justification, was trying to give a political color to his arrest. There is nothing strange in it: it is the psychology of the accused – they are trying to distort the reality, confuse the public. I assure that only in case of undeniable facts the National Security Service forwards such serious accusation. In any case the final word is the court’s.

- Even the official web sites are not safe from the attacks of hackers. Have any steps been undertaken toward the security of information field?

- On the basis of the decision of the Armenian government a special junction has been created by the National Security Service which creates an opportunity to increase the reliability of fighting against possible information overflow, security of the electronic sites of state bodies. We are using the latest technology, used by leading special services and we have an opportunity to every year update these means with the newest devices. I state with all the responsibility that thanks to our established junction the official web sites are fully protected from the attacks of hackers.

- Opinions are voiced in the press that the budget of the National Security Service is small and the salary of the employees low, and in this case it is impossible to effectively confront the challenges the establishment faces.

- Of course, our budget and the salary of employees are still small, though during the recent years increase of salaries has been registered. But to claim that it does not give an opportunity to effectively confront the challenges, means not to understand the essence of our work, its importance. Protecting the security of our homeland is a great honor and responsibility and it cannot be tied only with the payment. During the fatal period of our country, the employees of the National Security system were receiving 2,5-3 USD equivalent sum but were implementing their duties with devotion to the solution of security issues of the homeland. I have no doubts that in near future our employees will get worthy payment.

- Recently news about your resignation has become rather frequent.

- Nothing is eternal, but now I must disappoint my opponents, saying that in visible future I am not going to make them happy with it.

- Being overloaded with the work, do you find time for your relatives, friends, for resting?

- I am trying to find time for my friends and relatives. The speeded-up development of technology has brought me contacting with my grandchildren through Skype, seems funny but it is so.

- You have a long-year experience in the system.

- September this year the 40th year of my service in the national security system was marked. During these long years there were successes, difficulties, disappointments. But by overcoming these obstacles the work becomes interesting. The thought that you are serving to your homeland, you ensure its security feels your soul with pride. I consider myself a happy person as I love my work and everyday I get pleasure from doing it.

- December 20 is marked as a professional day of employee of the national security bodies. Let me congratulate you on the coming holiday.

- Thank you for congratulation. Using this opportunity I want to congratulate all the employees of the national security bodies, veterans of the system, members of their families on our professional holiday. I wish them health, success in the service and in personal life. I wish the veterans of the national security bodies inspiration, energy, active work particularly in grateful activity of passing experience and skills to the young generation of the system.