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Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan
“We cannot stand aside from Mission “Number One”
Wednesday 18 May 2011 14:21
Photo: Mediamax
First Deputy Minister of Defense of Republic of Armenia David Tonoyan
Exclusive Interview of the First Deputy Minister of Defense of Republic of Armenia David Tonoyan to Mediamax Agency
- Mission of Armenia in Afghanistan will almost be tripled. What is the reason for such increase of the contingent strength? Does that mean that besides Kunduz Airport perimeter security, Armenian peacekeepers will be accomplishing other tasks as well?
- As Armenian Defense Minister said in his speech in the parliament last week, increase in the strength of the Armenian contingent in Afghanistan is conditioned by three main factors.
First of all, this step is based on Armenia’s interests in accordance with the multi-layer and initiative foreign policy of our country, and demonstrates our particular place in the world order after the “cold war”.
Secondly, taking into account the services rendered by the Armenian military in Afghanistan and the professional fulfillment of their tasks, the German Minister of Defense, addressed the corresponding letter to his Armenian counterpart with the request to involve two additional infantry platoons in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for cooperation and assistance in Mazâr-e Šarif.
Thirdly, in terms of experience exchange, due to participation of Armenian military in ISAF, our units familiarize on the spot with Western military art and military culture, employ in combat the most advanced armament, military equipment and high technologies, supplied by the German side, adopt new tactics. All this is of highest value in terms of our defense reforms and development of Armenian Armed Forces. This is not only participation in multi-national operations, but also an intensive training and education for our peacekeepers.
What concerns the new tasks for Armenian peacekeepers, one additional company minus, with 81 people, will be deployed in the headquarters of the Regional Command North, which is located in Mazâr-e Šarif. This company will be responsible for providing security of military compound and Mazâr-e Šarif Airport. At the same time, 5 Armenian instructor officers will be located in the infantry battalion of the Afghan Army in the town of Tolukan, where they will conduct personnel training.
- If the situation in the zone under German Command aggravates, is it possible that the Armenian contingent might be involved in fighting?
- Provision of the military compounds and airports security is already a combat task. At the same time, our contingent fulfills a static mission, without leaving the military compounds and airports of Mazâr-e Šarif and Kunduz. If attacks on these objects are launched, of course, our contingent will organize effective defense. The 5 Armenian instructor officers in Tolukan, placed there for training the Afghan unit, can fulfill certain combat tasks along with them.
At the same time, I should add that according to the assessment of ISAF Command, the probability of increase of tension in the North is relatively low.
- Will the Armenian peacekeepers’ experience, gained in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, allow speaking of achieving a certain level of interoperability with NATO troops?
- In this case, one should not speak of “certain”, but of a sufficient level of interoperability. Also one should note that the peacekeeping brigade of the Armenian Armed Forces, the independent peacekeeping engineering battalion, as well as the particular personnel from the signal, logistics and military-medical branches are interoperable with the Armed Forces of NATO member countries. They periodically participate in military exercises in the framework of NATO “Partnership for Peace” program and associated organizational activities as staff officers.
- ISAF Mission is underway for almost ten years and it is more and more criticized for the inability to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan. Armenia is one of the few countries, which increases its participation in these conditions. Isn’t this decision risky from political point of view?
- In 2010, ISAF grabbed the initiative from “Taliban”, and since then, gradually has been passing the responsibility for provision of security to the governmental forces of Afghanistan. Concerning our participation, I can say that preservation and enhancement of international security is necessary not only for NATO member countries, but also for all members of the international community, including Armenia.
Consequently, we cannot stand aside from the current mission “number one” on provision of international stability and security carried out in the regions of both geographical and geopolitical proximity.
- Does the fact of being the only CSTO member country participating in NATO Mission in Afghanistan create problems for Armenia within the framework of CSTO?
- Participation of the active CSTO member– Armenia – in ISAF Mission strengthens our country’s relations with the North-Atlantic Alliance and EU member countries, and this is based on common interests of both our country and the international community. These interests are obvious, taking into account the assistance, rendered by CSTO-allied and our strategic partner Russia to NATO in provision of transit across its territory to Afghanistan for the transportation of and resupply for Alliance troops.
The role of infrastructural and logistic support, provided by CSTO member countries – Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, is also great in terms of ensuring ISAF Mission’s success. In this context, it is difficult to assess whose contribution from CSTO countries is of more importance; however it is obvious that CSTO plays a significant role in provision of security and stability in Afghanistan.
- Can we say that one of Armenia’s motives for participation in ISAF mission is the fact that the representatives of radical Islamic movements in Afghanistan once openly participated in the war against the peaceful people of Nagorno-Karabakh as mercenaries?
- Not at all. The decision of the Armenian President on our participation is not conditioned by any manifestation of revanchism or religious motives. As I have already mentioned, this step has fairly rational justifications, and aims at preservation and enhancement of international security and stability, including the reduction of risks connected with the involvement of mercenaries hiding behind the title of “faith warriors” through the assistance to stability in countries.
Wednesday 18 May 2011 14:21
Photo: Mediamax
First Deputy Minister of Defense of Republic of Armenia David Tonoyan
Exclusive Interview of the First Deputy Minister of Defense of Republic of Armenia David Tonoyan to Mediamax Agency
- Mission of Armenia in Afghanistan will almost be tripled. What is the reason for such increase of the contingent strength? Does that mean that besides Kunduz Airport perimeter security, Armenian peacekeepers will be accomplishing other tasks as well?
- As Armenian Defense Minister said in his speech in the parliament last week, increase in the strength of the Armenian contingent in Afghanistan is conditioned by three main factors.
First of all, this step is based on Armenia’s interests in accordance with the multi-layer and initiative foreign policy of our country, and demonstrates our particular place in the world order after the “cold war”.
Secondly, taking into account the services rendered by the Armenian military in Afghanistan and the professional fulfillment of their tasks, the German Minister of Defense, addressed the corresponding letter to his Armenian counterpart with the request to involve two additional infantry platoons in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for cooperation and assistance in Mazâr-e Šarif.
Thirdly, in terms of experience exchange, due to participation of Armenian military in ISAF, our units familiarize on the spot with Western military art and military culture, employ in combat the most advanced armament, military equipment and high technologies, supplied by the German side, adopt new tactics. All this is of highest value in terms of our defense reforms and development of Armenian Armed Forces. This is not only participation in multi-national operations, but also an intensive training and education for our peacekeepers.
What concerns the new tasks for Armenian peacekeepers, one additional company minus, with 81 people, will be deployed in the headquarters of the Regional Command North, which is located in Mazâr-e Šarif. This company will be responsible for providing security of military compound and Mazâr-e Šarif Airport. At the same time, 5 Armenian instructor officers will be located in the infantry battalion of the Afghan Army in the town of Tolukan, where they will conduct personnel training.
- If the situation in the zone under German Command aggravates, is it possible that the Armenian contingent might be involved in fighting?
- Provision of the military compounds and airports security is already a combat task. At the same time, our contingent fulfills a static mission, without leaving the military compounds and airports of Mazâr-e Šarif and Kunduz. If attacks on these objects are launched, of course, our contingent will organize effective defense. The 5 Armenian instructor officers in Tolukan, placed there for training the Afghan unit, can fulfill certain combat tasks along with them.
At the same time, I should add that according to the assessment of ISAF Command, the probability of increase of tension in the North is relatively low.
- Will the Armenian peacekeepers’ experience, gained in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, allow speaking of achieving a certain level of interoperability with NATO troops?
- In this case, one should not speak of “certain”, but of a sufficient level of interoperability. Also one should note that the peacekeeping brigade of the Armenian Armed Forces, the independent peacekeeping engineering battalion, as well as the particular personnel from the signal, logistics and military-medical branches are interoperable with the Armed Forces of NATO member countries. They periodically participate in military exercises in the framework of NATO “Partnership for Peace” program and associated organizational activities as staff officers.
- ISAF Mission is underway for almost ten years and it is more and more criticized for the inability to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan. Armenia is one of the few countries, which increases its participation in these conditions. Isn’t this decision risky from political point of view?
- In 2010, ISAF grabbed the initiative from “Taliban”, and since then, gradually has been passing the responsibility for provision of security to the governmental forces of Afghanistan. Concerning our participation, I can say that preservation and enhancement of international security is necessary not only for NATO member countries, but also for all members of the international community, including Armenia.
Consequently, we cannot stand aside from the current mission “number one” on provision of international stability and security carried out in the regions of both geographical and geopolitical proximity.
- Does the fact of being the only CSTO member country participating in NATO Mission in Afghanistan create problems for Armenia within the framework of CSTO?
- Participation of the active CSTO member– Armenia – in ISAF Mission strengthens our country’s relations with the North-Atlantic Alliance and EU member countries, and this is based on common interests of both our country and the international community. These interests are obvious, taking into account the assistance, rendered by CSTO-allied and our strategic partner Russia to NATO in provision of transit across its territory to Afghanistan for the transportation of and resupply for Alliance troops.
The role of infrastructural and logistic support, provided by CSTO member countries – Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, is also great in terms of ensuring ISAF Mission’s success. In this context, it is difficult to assess whose contribution from CSTO countries is of more importance; however it is obvious that CSTO plays a significant role in provision of security and stability in Afghanistan.
- Can we say that one of Armenia’s motives for participation in ISAF mission is the fact that the representatives of radical Islamic movements in Afghanistan once openly participated in the war against the peaceful people of Nagorno-Karabakh as mercenaries?
- Not at all. The decision of the Armenian President on our participation is not conditioned by any manifestation of revanchism or religious motives. As I have already mentioned, this step has fairly rational justifications, and aims at preservation and enhancement of international security and stability, including the reduction of risks connected with the involvement of mercenaries hiding behind the title of “faith warriors” through the assistance to stability in countries.
. Armenia didn't need them before and Armenia won't need them again.
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