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Armenian defense chief praises new strategic planning culture in armed forces
NEWS | 08.06.13 | 11:46
Photolure
By GAYANE MKRTCHYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan regards his reappointment in spring of
this year as obliging both for himself and the entire staff, pledging
to continue to work with doubled energy.
Ohanyan considers the past five years to be a period when a new
culture of strategic planning was formed in the armed forces, as part
of which a number of reforms were carried out.
`They were aimed at ensuring our further development. A strategic
defense review was the most important thing during this period and
upon its completion we have a development plan for the Armed Forces
that in the mid-term will ensure their further advancement,' said the
minister during a press conference in Noyemberyan on Friday.
Ohanyan, who was first appointed defense minister in April 2008,
announced that the second phase of the strategic defense review will
be launched already next year. `It will ensure the passage from this
stage of development to the next one covering 2016-2020,' he added.
The minister reported that a state program on armament and military
equipment development for the armed forces has been developed. Also,
he said, a government-approved concept of the military industrial
system has been approved by the National Security Council.
`We want to promote local [military] production,' said Ohanyan.
`Within the framework of the budget and military and
military-technical cooperation we have an opportunity to increase our
combat efficiency and capabilities by acquiring modern weaponry.'
Speaking about deaths in the ranks and other incidents in the armed
forces, Ohanyan said that unfortunately they occur as a result of
interpersonal relations. He said that efforts have been underway,
including educational and training work focusing on commanders, to
tackle this problem.
`At least no one goes unpunished. I am responsible for the entire
hierarchy of the military command. The commanders of military units
through whose fault incidents occur are punished by me,' said the
minister. `In the past five years about 25 armed forces commanders
have been dismissed, demoted or punished otherwise. Of military unit
commanders about 40 have been relieved of their positions or appointed
to other posts with no concern to educational activities.'
Speaking about the June 1 incident near the house of the former
governor of Syunik, during which former Goris mayoral candidate Avetik
Budaghyan was killed and his brother, Askeran military unit commander,
Colonel Artak Budaghyan was wounded, Minister Ohanyan said that he
condemned the violence and encroachments upon any military.
`I find that this incident occurred as a result of spontaneity and had
to do with troubled interpersonal relationships. I don't think that
this case could become an occasion for dishonor to the military. Today
our army officers are carrying out tasks that deserve appreciation. In
recent years, I assure you, the atmosphere of impunity has been
reduced to the minimum,' he said.
Speaking about possible peacekeeping missions in which Armenian troops
could be involved in the future, Minister Ohanyan said that it is
possible that soon Armenian peacekeepers, in addition to their
missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo, will also be deployed in Lebanon
as well as in North Africa.
From: A. Papazian
NEWS | 08.06.13 | 11:46
Photolure
By GAYANE MKRTCHYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan regards his reappointment in spring of
this year as obliging both for himself and the entire staff, pledging
to continue to work with doubled energy.
Ohanyan considers the past five years to be a period when a new
culture of strategic planning was formed in the armed forces, as part
of which a number of reforms were carried out.
`They were aimed at ensuring our further development. A strategic
defense review was the most important thing during this period and
upon its completion we have a development plan for the Armed Forces
that in the mid-term will ensure their further advancement,' said the
minister during a press conference in Noyemberyan on Friday.
Ohanyan, who was first appointed defense minister in April 2008,
announced that the second phase of the strategic defense review will
be launched already next year. `It will ensure the passage from this
stage of development to the next one covering 2016-2020,' he added.
The minister reported that a state program on armament and military
equipment development for the armed forces has been developed. Also,
he said, a government-approved concept of the military industrial
system has been approved by the National Security Council.
`We want to promote local [military] production,' said Ohanyan.
`Within the framework of the budget and military and
military-technical cooperation we have an opportunity to increase our
combat efficiency and capabilities by acquiring modern weaponry.'
Speaking about deaths in the ranks and other incidents in the armed
forces, Ohanyan said that unfortunately they occur as a result of
interpersonal relations. He said that efforts have been underway,
including educational and training work focusing on commanders, to
tackle this problem.
`At least no one goes unpunished. I am responsible for the entire
hierarchy of the military command. The commanders of military units
through whose fault incidents occur are punished by me,' said the
minister. `In the past five years about 25 armed forces commanders
have been dismissed, demoted or punished otherwise. Of military unit
commanders about 40 have been relieved of their positions or appointed
to other posts with no concern to educational activities.'
Speaking about the June 1 incident near the house of the former
governor of Syunik, during which former Goris mayoral candidate Avetik
Budaghyan was killed and his brother, Askeran military unit commander,
Colonel Artak Budaghyan was wounded, Minister Ohanyan said that he
condemned the violence and encroachments upon any military.
`I find that this incident occurred as a result of spontaneity and had
to do with troubled interpersonal relationships. I don't think that
this case could become an occasion for dishonor to the military. Today
our army officers are carrying out tasks that deserve appreciation. In
recent years, I assure you, the atmosphere of impunity has been
reduced to the minimum,' he said.
Speaking about possible peacekeeping missions in which Armenian troops
could be involved in the future, Minister Ohanyan said that it is
possible that soon Armenian peacekeepers, in addition to their
missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo, will also be deployed in Lebanon
as well as in North Africa.
From: A. Papazian