The extension of Armenian peacekeeping activities is going according
to schedule, stated the head of the peacekeeping brigade of the
Armenian armed forces, Colonel Artur Simonyan, noting that Armenia has
all it needs in terms of recruitment, technical support and arms until
2015, Armenia Today reports.
He said that the brigade consists of 400 people and 400 more
applicants, 300 of whom will be accepted. Armenia only had problems
with recruitment in 2007-2008. The average wages of the servicemen is
7 000 drams + 100 000 drams, the colonel said.
He said that they accept people on a probation period of 3 months and
then sign a three-year contract. The next contract is signed for 5
years. Simonyan said that the new servicemen will be sent to Kosovo on
June 3rd, and to Afghanistan in the period August 12-15. At the moment
there are 40 Armenian peacekeepers in Afghanistan.
He pointed out that the participants in the Afghanistan war of the 80s
learned the specifics of the military operations of Afghan guerrillas
and this experience helped in the Karabakh war. They are also
exchanging experience with NATO, he concluded.
