KARABAKH ARMY PART OF ARMENIAN ARMY – CHIEF OF STAFF

Arminfo, Yerevan
25 May 07

Yerevan, 25 May: New Chief of Staff of the Armenian Army Lt-Gen Seyran
Ohanyan is getting accustomed to his position. He said this speaking
to journalists today. This is Seyran Ohanyan’s first communication
with media after his appointment to the post of chief of staff of
the Armenian army. Earlier, Ohanyan was the commander of the Nagornyy
Karabakh defence army.

"Military service is not something new for me. However, every new
position is connected with difficulties of the first period and getting
used to it," Ohanyan said. He said that although he is generally
acquainted with the divisions of the Armenian armed forces, he intends
to get to know them better and has already started the process.

Answering the question whether his appointment was an order, he said,
"it was an invitation, to which I agreed".

Ohanyan said that the Nagornyy Karabakh defence army is also part
of the Armenian army. He noted the presence of some deficiencies and
stressed that the Armenian army has gone through a good path through
the 15 years since its establishment.

[Arminfo, Yerevan, in Russian 0933 gmt 25 May 07 reported that
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan conferred the rank of Col-Gen on
Seyran Ohanyan]