SERGE SARGSIAN: "FESTIVE EVENTS ARE CALLED TO INCREASE ARMY’S EFFICIENCY"

Noyan Tapan
Feb 05 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The events dedicated to the 15th
anniversary of the Armenian army will continue till May 9, the 15th
anniversary of the Shoushi liberation. Serge Sargsian, the RA Defence
Minister mentioned about it in the interview to the "Armenia" TV. He
informed that the state commission founded by the RA President’s decree
will organize a number of events from now on as well. In the Minister’s
words, those events are not end in itself and are called to re-affirm
the army’s reputation to be the most improved structure, to start
usage of new standards for holding similar events. In S.Sargsian’s
words, military servicemen must again make sure that the people and
the state estimate their hard work, care about them and are proud of
them. In his opinion, it may only positively influence on the Armenian
army’s martial readiness and efficiency.

Touching upon the displeasures and criticisms expressed on the occasion
of events dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the army, the Minister
mentioned that "some mercenary journalists and mass media functioning
for special purposes were instructed by their masters, childish but
having great ambitions, to spoil impression and moods in any way,"
but they did not manage. As for displeasures connected with passing
over in silence first RA Defence Minister Vazgen Manukian’s role
in the army building, in S.Sargsian’s words, his name was mentioned
during programs dedicated to the holiday by a number of TV companies,
and one of TV companies gave him possibility of expression. "Isn’t
it enough about a person who was the Defence Minister of Armenia only
few months and did his best to leave that post as soon as possible,"
S.Sargsian mentioned.

In his words, during the 14 years after his being the Minister,
V.Manukian "did not say a kind word about the army," and did not take
part ever in any army event though he was always invited.