“There will always be bad-mouthing”
"Our total efforts should be comparative to the size of our neighboring countries' territories and adequate to the size of our territory," said RA Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan during a meeting with faculty and students of Yerevan State University.
"In 2011, we will double our efforts in order to maintain what we have," said the minister and attached importance to such meetings at educational institutions.
"We must try to use the potential of Armenian youth, intellectuals and scientists for the strengthening of our country's defense," said Ohanyan.
The minister also responded to issues concerning students and professors, particularly why the opponent has been actively taking measures recently. In response, the minister said the opponent often takes advantage of the fact that soldiers don't follow the rules for necessary security.
"Perhaps it is because of intense service and because some soldiers and commanders get out of hand," said Seyran Ohanyan.
The minister added that there is more discipline in the army year after year and commanders are more persistent to prevent incidents in the army.
"We are open to the society. We accept constructive remarks and criticism, but there will always be bad-mouthing," added the minister.
This morning, the statistics on deaths in the army in 2010 were presented during a discussion on "Human Rights Defense in the Army". According to a report prepared by the Helsinki Civil Assembly Vanadzor Office, in the past year, there have been 42 deaths, but the RA Ministry of Defense has issued official releases for only 10 of them.
