ARMENIA SIGNS DEAL FOR MILITARY OVERSIGHT

Middle East Times
October 17, 2008
Egypt

YEREVAN, Armenia, Oct. 17 (UPI) — Armenian government officials
signed an agreement Friday that would allow new oversight of the
country’s armed forces.

The Armenian parliamentary committee on defense, national security
and internal affairs signed a deal to work with the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe on strengthening oversight of the
armed forces in Armenia, the OSCE reported.

The memorandum of understanding signed Friday is part of an OSCE
effort to establish better armed forces monitoring capabilities in
European countries. Official say the agreement will assist Armenia in
identifying areas in its armed forces that need reform and encourage
more transparency in the military.

"By signing this agreement with the Standing Parliamentary Committee
on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs, the OSCE is
expressing its profound will to assist Armenia in exerting effective
parliamentary oversight over the armed forces," said Ambassador Sergey
Kapinos, head of the OSCE office in Armenia.

"Transparency, accountability and division of powers are the
cornerstones of good governance."