Epress.am News from Armenia
I believe that it’s clear to all that due to recent reforms, the army in recent years has become more open to the public, said RA Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan in an interview with local daily Aravot (“Morning”).
“I wouldn’t want to isolate the army from society. The army and society have an organic connection. If there are emergency incidents in the army, society’s discontent and concern are to be expected… At the same time, I am convinced that every virtuous citizen understands that the transparency of the Armed Forces has certain limits. By all accounts, the discontent of a few individuals demanding large amount of information from the defense ministry is preferable than endangering the security interests of the state.
[…]“It is difficult for us to understand those who have made criticism of the army their daily work and a means of self-assertion and acquiring finances.
[…]“And somehow, these people forget that some of these vicious phenomena come from the upbringing, education and lack of culture in general of the young men drafted into the army, their share of the responsibility for which they try to blame the army. To those who exploit the army’s problems: it is the army’s task to teach soldiers tactical arts, whereas it’s your task, for example, to teach the men prior to being conscripted into the army to know, among several other mandatory life skills, where he can relieve himself and where he cannot. And if on this basis, a fiery dispute becomes an incident, let each of us assume our share of the responsibility,” said the defense minister.
Photo: RA Military of Defense official website