ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT INTRODUCES NEW DEFENSE MINISTER TO TOP OFFICERS OF ARMENIAN ARMY

Arka News Agency, Armenia
April 25 2007

YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. Armenia’s President Robert Kocharyan
introduced new Defense Minister Mikayel Haroutiunian to the top
officers of the Armenian army.

"Congratulating the minister, the President said that Mikayel
Haroutiunian has actively been involved in the formation and
strengthening of the Armenian army since the initial period of its
formation," said the President’s press service.

Kocharyan pointed out that Haroutiunian’s 40-year military biography
inspires confidence that the processes of increasing army’s military
efficiency will continue successively under his command.

"The fact that the President, Prime Minister and newly appointed
Defense Minister are the people who have close and durable contact
with the army inspires confidence that the army will continue being
in the centre of the government’s special attention," Kocharyan said.

"Security issues are of prior importance for the country, and our
policy is directed to the further increase of the army’s military
efficiency and paying special attention to the security issues,"
he said.

Robert Kocharyan thanked Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan for the
productive job in strengthening the army when holding the post of
the Defense Minister and wished Mikayel Haroutiunian success in his
further activity.