ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS ALREADY PRAISED IN LEBANON
December 12, 2014 15:31
EXCLUSIVE
Photo: UNIFIL
Since December 4, Shama military base in Lebanon has been entirely
under the protection of Armenian peacekeepers. Within the framework
of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) operation, the
contingent comprising 32 Armenian peacekeepers left for Lebanon on
November 26.
In an interview with Mediamax Commander of Armenian Peacekeeping
Contingent to Lebanon, Major Artash Danielyan said before leaving for
the mission site the Armenian peacekeepers received one month training.
"At first, only three of us left for Lebanon. We visited Shama military
base where our contingent was to be deployed and got acquainted
with the conditions. We returned to Armenia and then the Armenian
contingent comprising 32 peacekeepers, among them 28 servicemen,
three officers and commanders of three detachments departed from
Armenia to serve in Lebanon", said Major Danielyan.
Immediately after the arrival, the Armenian contingent received
a training course of a week's duration and was introduced to the
military base's security rules, the overall area and to other foreign
peacekeepers serving there.
On the second day, a solemn ceremony took place during which the
Armenian national anthem was played and the Armenian Tricolor was
hoisted. The commander of the military base who is also the commander
of the Western sector, and other foreign peacekeepers were present
at the ceremony.
Following the one-week training, the Armenian contingent undertook
its peacekeeping mission and presently protects Shama military base.
Ready for any scenario
Before the Armenian peacekeepers arrived in Shama, the military base
was under the protection of contingents from various countries that
were on round-the-clock duty on weekly basis.
"Since our arrival in the military base, it has been fully under our
protection. It implies control of watch-towers and defensive points,
checking vehicles entering and going out through the main entrance,
night patrols and accompanying people visiting the military base",
the Commander of the Armenian Contingent told Mediamax.
According to him, the situation in Lebanon is fickle but Armenian
peacekeepers demonstrate maximum vigilance during their daily service
and are ready for any scenario.
All peacekeepers who left for Lebanon are experienced and have already
become versed in their work owing to peacekeeping missions in Kosovo
and Afghanistan.
Shama military base has already witnessed the experience and high
and vocational preparation of the Armenian contingent.
Armenian peacekeepers have excelled in pilot exercises in the military
base by excellently completing the task in 18 minutes instead of the
set 30 minutes.
"We accomplish our tasks for 100%. The high appraisals our contingent
receives from the representatives of the Italian Command and of other
countries testify to it. We take our work very seriously, and they
can see it", said Artash Danielyan.
Armenian-Italian understanding
The Italian Command under which our peacekeepers serve in Lebanon
has warmly welcomed our contingent in Shama military base.
According to Artash Danielyan, since the very first day Armenians and
Italians have established warm partnership. Commander of Armenian
Contingent Artash Danielyan's military education in Italy and his
excellent knowledge of Italian have also greatly contributed to it.
"We were very warmly welcomed. We can even say that the understanding
between us and the Italians rests on perfect grounds", noted the
Commander.
On the whole, Armenian peacekeepers are happy with the service
conditions. The Italian Command takes care of their food.
"The food is really great; Italians cook truly well. We were offered
to cook Armenian dishes for the entire military base once or twice
a month. We will beyond doubt show them how to cook Armenian foods,
but let them do the rest", joked the Commander.
One of the best ways to establish communication between the
peacekeepers is national cuisine. Artash Danielyan noted he has
observed great interest for the part of foreign peacekeepers to the
Armenian contingent.
"They are trying to know us and our country and are eager to learn
more about what we were engaged in before our mission in Lebanon.
There were cases when certain peacekeepers approached us saying they
read this or that thing about Armenia and Armenian people the night
before", he said.
Internet helps our peacekeepers maintain regular contact with their
families and relatives.
"We are the soldiers of our motherland. Today our servicemen in the
front line uphold Armenia's peace and security. We do the same. We
represent Armenia here and it has its own input in the maintenance of
international peace and security. With honor - is how we will perform
our service", assured Artash Danielyan.
Yekaterina Poghosyan
- See more at:
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/armypolice/12575#sthash.u1CGaGDI.dpuf
From: A. Papazian
December 12, 2014 15:31
EXCLUSIVE
Photo: UNIFIL
Since December 4, Shama military base in Lebanon has been entirely
under the protection of Armenian peacekeepers. Within the framework
of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) operation, the
contingent comprising 32 Armenian peacekeepers left for Lebanon on
November 26.
In an interview with Mediamax Commander of Armenian Peacekeeping
Contingent to Lebanon, Major Artash Danielyan said before leaving for
the mission site the Armenian peacekeepers received one month training.
"At first, only three of us left for Lebanon. We visited Shama military
base where our contingent was to be deployed and got acquainted
with the conditions. We returned to Armenia and then the Armenian
contingent comprising 32 peacekeepers, among them 28 servicemen,
three officers and commanders of three detachments departed from
Armenia to serve in Lebanon", said Major Danielyan.
Immediately after the arrival, the Armenian contingent received
a training course of a week's duration and was introduced to the
military base's security rules, the overall area and to other foreign
peacekeepers serving there.
On the second day, a solemn ceremony took place during which the
Armenian national anthem was played and the Armenian Tricolor was
hoisted. The commander of the military base who is also the commander
of the Western sector, and other foreign peacekeepers were present
at the ceremony.
Following the one-week training, the Armenian contingent undertook
its peacekeeping mission and presently protects Shama military base.
Ready for any scenario
Before the Armenian peacekeepers arrived in Shama, the military base
was under the protection of contingents from various countries that
were on round-the-clock duty on weekly basis.
"Since our arrival in the military base, it has been fully under our
protection. It implies control of watch-towers and defensive points,
checking vehicles entering and going out through the main entrance,
night patrols and accompanying people visiting the military base",
the Commander of the Armenian Contingent told Mediamax.
According to him, the situation in Lebanon is fickle but Armenian
peacekeepers demonstrate maximum vigilance during their daily service
and are ready for any scenario.
All peacekeepers who left for Lebanon are experienced and have already
become versed in their work owing to peacekeeping missions in Kosovo
and Afghanistan.
Shama military base has already witnessed the experience and high
and vocational preparation of the Armenian contingent.
Armenian peacekeepers have excelled in pilot exercises in the military
base by excellently completing the task in 18 minutes instead of the
set 30 minutes.
"We accomplish our tasks for 100%. The high appraisals our contingent
receives from the representatives of the Italian Command and of other
countries testify to it. We take our work very seriously, and they
can see it", said Artash Danielyan.
Armenian-Italian understanding
The Italian Command under which our peacekeepers serve in Lebanon
has warmly welcomed our contingent in Shama military base.
According to Artash Danielyan, since the very first day Armenians and
Italians have established warm partnership. Commander of Armenian
Contingent Artash Danielyan's military education in Italy and his
excellent knowledge of Italian have also greatly contributed to it.
"We were very warmly welcomed. We can even say that the understanding
between us and the Italians rests on perfect grounds", noted the
Commander.
On the whole, Armenian peacekeepers are happy with the service
conditions. The Italian Command takes care of their food.
"The food is really great; Italians cook truly well. We were offered
to cook Armenian dishes for the entire military base once or twice
a month. We will beyond doubt show them how to cook Armenian foods,
but let them do the rest", joked the Commander.
One of the best ways to establish communication between the
peacekeepers is national cuisine. Artash Danielyan noted he has
observed great interest for the part of foreign peacekeepers to the
Armenian contingent.
"They are trying to know us and our country and are eager to learn
more about what we were engaged in before our mission in Lebanon.
There were cases when certain peacekeepers approached us saying they
read this or that thing about Armenia and Armenian people the night
before", he said.
Internet helps our peacekeepers maintain regular contact with their
families and relatives.
"We are the soldiers of our motherland. Today our servicemen in the
front line uphold Armenia's peace and security. We do the same. We
represent Armenia here and it has its own input in the maintenance of
international peace and security. With honor - is how we will perform
our service", assured Artash Danielyan.
Yekaterina Poghosyan
- See more at:
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/armypolice/12575#sthash.u1CGaGDI.dpuf
From: A. Papazian