Armenian defence chief wants strong army for “dignified” Karabakh talks
Regnum, Moscow
1 Jul 05
1 July: In two years the Armenian armed forces will be fully equipped
with professional officers, Serzh Sarkisyan, secretary of the National
Security Council and minister of defence, has said in an address to
graduates of the Vazgen Sarkisyan Military Academy.
Sarkisyan pointed out that it is necessary to maintain and strengthen
the combat efficiency of the army. “This will give us an opportunity
to carry out dignified negotiations with our enemy and achieve a
solution to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict that will be favourable
to our people,” Sarkisyan said.
At the same time, the defence minister said that it was important to
improve the country’s armed forces. “We must strive not to lag behind
the best armies of the world. We will resolve this task by 2015.
Remember that the government is able today to supply the Armenian
armed forces with everything necessary in order to prevail over any
enemy,” he said.
Three hundred graduates of the military academy received the rank
of lieutenant today. In line with the defence minister’s directive,
all the graduates were given a rank and a job. Sarkisyan personally
handed diplomas to the best students.