Regnum, Russia
Jan 30 2007

Armenia’s first defense minister: `Army became a toy in the hands of
leadership’

The Armenian Army is the strongest and effective in South Caucasus
region, MP, Armenia’s former defense minister and premier, leader of
the National Democratic Union Vazgen Manukyan announced at a news
conference on January 30.

According to him, recently they celebrated 15th anniversary of
establishing the Armenian Armed Forces and facts provided by the
leadership were scanty. `It was interpreted as there had been
voluntary brigades, then they allied and established the ministry,
but practically it is not that really. In reality, agencies,
representatives of the home front, particularly, engineers, mechanics
took part in establishing the army and the defense ministry,’ Vazgen
Manukyan said adding that in the coverage names of people who
participated in forming the army were mentioned, but by unknown
reason `Samvel Babayan’s name or my name were not mentioned,’ (Samvel
Babayan – Nagorno Karabakh Defense Minister, Vazgen Manukyan-
Armenia’s first defense minister – REGNUM).

The MP noted that the Armenian Army has become a toy in the hands of
leadership. In 1995, its units were used to suppress protests in the
country, the army unanimously votes at elections for candidatures or
political forces supported by the government. `I wish the army to be
the most progressive part of society,’ Vazgen Manukyan concluded.