Schoolchildren to join Armenian army?

It is still unclear whether Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian owns a business outside the country. But I am sure he does. Judging by his steps and his statements, he likely owns a PR firm. Ohanian promotes both himself and his army. What else can he do when the Armenian army cannot boast with any real achievements?

Ohnanian, whose gets more time in the press and on TV than any Armenian performer, time and again talks about how well the army can fight and how brave his soldiers are. He lies without an inkling of shame about how his soldiers are healthy and proudly serve the army. And he makes these statements at a time when young Armenians are constantly dodging the draft.

Of course, Ohanian is aware of the true state of affairs, but he continues to tell more and more lies. After his televised speeches and interviews, Ohanian immediately takes off his hero's mask and tries to think up ways to save the army. Ohanian’s despair has already reached a peak because the national armies of bordering states are developing at a pace Armenia just can't match.

The minister is urgently seeking measures to increase the number of draftees, but he is not in the least bit concerned with improving the army's morale. And then he came up with a brilliant idea – to start recruiting schoolschildren into the army. Ohanian certainly likes the idea and he is rushing to make his latest whimsical dream come true.

So, a patriotic event titled "Strong Spirit and Always Ready" dedicated to Victory Day and the occupation of the Azerbaijani Shusha region was held at a school in the Mrgashen village in the Kotayk province on May 3. The school was not chosen by chance. Ohanian studied there and it is somehow psychologically easier for him to speak in a building once very dear to him.

At first glance, the event was seemingly devoted to the Soviet victory in World War II. However, sixty-fifth year anniversary of Victory Day is just an excuse. The minister expressed his satisfaction with the children's knowledge about their ancestors' military “achievements” both in WWII and the “liberation struggle" in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"What we achieved in the Karabakh war must be preserved and passed on to the next generation. I want our victories continue. We should pay special attention to military and patriotic education of the younger generations," the minister said. It is not clear what Ohanian had in mind when he spoke about further victories.

The naive children must have listened to their minister with enthusiasm and then promised to join the national army as soon as they can. Ohanian, in turn, left the school a happy man. But he failed to  understand that once schoolchildren go home, their moms and dads will explain to them why it is not worth joining the Armenian army after all...


H. Hamidov
/Day.Az/