SERGE SARGSIAN: PUBLIC HAS ALL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXERCISING CONTROL
OVER ARMY
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. "Today in Armenia there are all
opportunities for the public to exercise control over the army, and
the army-public tie to be the way it is in developed countries." RA
Defence Minister Serge Sargsian gave such assurance at the January 19
press conference. In his words, the army is open for public in all
issues regarding servicemen’s life, moral-psychological atmosphere in
the army, interpersonal relations.
In S.Sargsian’s words, for the purpose of restoring public confidence
towards army, it was decided "to open army’s doors wide" before NGOs,
creative unions, intelligentsia, parents. Until the beginning of 2000
draftees’ parents and organizations created by them were organizing
many actions of protest, while starting 2002, all these organizations
became army’s co-thinkers: they started to visit military units, to
meet with soldiers and to present their observations to the Defence
Ministry. "I think this contributed to strengthening of confidence in
army," the Minister said. In his words, today telephones are installed
at all military units, cultural and creative organizations can visit
units without special permission and parents have an opportunity to
visit servicemen on Saturdays and Sundays.