YEREVAN. – Aravot daily conducted an interview with Armenian Minister of Defense, Seyran Ohanyan, and the following is an excerpt:

While you were on vacation several developments unrolled, which were interpreted differently by the media. There was even talk about a rift in the army. What is the real situation today in the army’s command unit?  

Sadly, several unusual incidents occurred in the armed forces during my two-week vacation, and they caused societal discontent. Protests also were held and First Deputy Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan received their organizers. If there are people who, with their grants, are carrying out unlawful actions against the army, naturally they are unhealthy initiatives and cannot be tolerated by leadership of the army. And the attempts to create rifts among leadership of the army are doomed..   

There is no rift in the army. The vertical chain of command is in operation, and all chains are aware of, and perform, their functions. Relations among the army’s leadership are based on mutual respect, trust, and preeminence of high human qualities.