DEMANDED TO REPLACE DEFENSE MINISTER

Lragir.am
28 Aug 06

There is information from reliable sources that before the conference
of the Republican Party Russian President Vladimir Putin personally
suggested that Robert Kocharyan dismiss the defense minister Serge
Sargsyan. Robert Kocharyan told Serge Sargsyan about it and suggested
that he resign before becoming Republican. Serge Sargsyan refused.

There is information that this might be the reason why Robert Kocahryan
avoided participating in the informal CIS summit in Sochi on July 21.

It is notable that the Chief of the Headquarters of the Armed Forces
Mikael Harutiunyan made definite hints regarding the minister in
the meeting of the college of the Defense Ministry. The sources
mention that Mikael Harutiunyan and several other representatives
of the Command are definitely dissatisfied with the possibility of
involvement of the army in politics, for they think it threatens the
army and the national security. The fact is interesting because Mikael
Harutiunyan is a general of the Russian school and is perceived as a
representative of the pro-Russian direction, who is in close relations
with the Russian Command.

For its part, the Republican Party confirmed this information through
its channels, which caused tensions inside the already troubled
political party. The point is that the Republican Party is growing
doubtful that the defense minister will not bring success to the party
in the upcoming parliamentary election without having the support of
the Russian government. There is information that inside the Republican
Party they now often remember the statement made by the Russian
defense minsiter Sergey Ivanov concerning the post of president,
when Ivanov sitting beside Sargsyan gave a definite answer to the
question concerning the next candidate for president. Ivanov said he
is a defense minister, and if he starts thinking about presidency,
he will fail fulfilling his direct duties.