DRAFT LAW ON DEFENCE PUT UNDER CONSIDERATION

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[07:50 pm] 22 October, 2008

Today the Armenian Parliament considered the draft law "on Defence"
authored by the RoA Government. The main idea of the bill is that the
defense minister should be a civil personality, member of the leading
political team and will have a full civil control over the armed
forces. At the same time, under the suggested bill, the armed forces
will have nothing in common with politics. Political affiliations,
campaigns and political activities are prohibited in the army.

Defence Minister Seyran Ohanian noted that Armenia will have a
professional army in a few years’ time. "The idea of a professional
army lies in the heart of our reforms," he said.