ARMENIAN ARMY COMBAT READY – PRESIDENT
Russia & CIS Presidential Bulletin
January 29, 2008
The combat efficiency of the Armenian army is growing with every
passing day and it has everything it needs, including military hardware
and ammunition, President Robert Kocharian said while presenting top
state awards to a group of officers.
This is the result of the effective work being done by servicemen and
the authorities. The Armenian army is one of the greatest achievements
of our people. Probably, the most important achievement, Kocharian
said.
All of us cherish the army as an absolute value, he said.
Kocharian also said that all social groups have contributed to the
difficult job of developing the army. The Armenian armed forces have
become an important factor in our region. They are a reliable shield
protecting our borders, security and peace. We cherish peace and
aspire to peace. But we are ready to respond to any threat at any
moment, he said.
The budget of the Armenian army is larger than the state budget was
in 1996 and 1997, he continued. I don’t remember a day when funding
would come with a delay to the army over the past ten years. I think
it is the best indication of the authorities’ attitude to the army,
Kocharian said.
Defense Minister Mikael Arutyunian said, in turn, that it would be
premature to think of creating a professional army. An appropriate
foundation should be created for a professional army, the defense
minister said after laying wreaths at the Yerablur military cemetery
on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the Armenian national
army. If a professional army is to be set up, amortization reserves
must be created that would supply contract servicemen.
We are a small state with 1,300 kilometers of border with neighbors
who are not very well disposed to us. A 10,000-strong army will not
be able to protect it, especially if our neighbors have a 100,000
strong army, the minister said.
He denied assertions by opposition politicians that the strength of the
Armenian armed forces could be brought to 15,000 in the near future.