Picture: Armenian Soldiers in Iraq

Well, not soldiers per se. If you recall, they are: "...truck drivers, 10 sappers, 3 medics and 2 officers" or some combination thereof.

Armenian to Auction Adolf Hitler's Personal Globe!

This is one of those hard to believe stories. Here are the facts:

Barsamian found the globe in May 1945 in the Berghof, Hitler's home in the Bavarian Alps town of Berchtesgaden. He boxed it up with a few other keepsakes, including a pistol and a dagger, and shipped them home.

"Literally, the place is all bombed out and here this globe is sitting there on the desk," said John Barsamian, now 91.

If you have some money burning in your pocket, the globe will be auction in November with estimates ranging up to $20,000.

Source: Yahoo! News

Yet Another Armenian Soldier Killed by Azeri Sniper

Remember this a few weeks back? Well, another Armenian soldier has met the same fate.

On February 14, at about 09:30, an Azeri sniper wounded the major Ervand Pashikyan (b. in 1958), contractual serviceman, in the chest. Ervand Pashikyan died on the spot, RA Defense Ministry reports.

The investigation is under way.

I find it sad that virtually nothing is done after such killings: a few words condemning the act here, a few harsh words there, and that's it. Then again, short of an all-out war, what can be done? Obviously, we have to involve the international community, but all too often these soldiers get forgotten shortly after all is said and done.

Source: A1+

Azeri Soldier Charged With Treason Upon Return

Here's the story, in case you missed it:

Prosecutors said soldier Vyusal Garajayev was captured on December 7 last year by ethnic Armenian separatists who, with Armenian support, control most of Nagorno-Karabakh. He was returned home on December 23 under the auspices of the Red Cross.

"(Vyusal) Garajayev, born in 1988, has been arrested. A criminal case has been opened against him on the basis of article 274 (treason)..."

Azerbaijan must be a lovely place to live. What's the punishment for treason there? In most places it's death.

Source: ArmeniaLiberty

Azerbaijani Sniper Kills Armenian Soldier

I hope this incident is not related to this one. Here's the story:

Armenian defense ministry said an Armenian serviceman was fatally wounded by an Azerbaijani sniper today morning at a position on Armenian-Azerbaijani border near the town of Berd. The ministry said Armen Malkhasian, 19, was wounded in the head and died on the road to hospital. Seyran Shahsuvarian, a spokesman for Armenian defense ministry, said an investigation was started into the incident.

This is getting out of hand: what is the future of our two countries?

Source: ArmenPress

Azerbaijan Claims Soldier Killed Near Karabakh

Apparently having forgotten about their breaches of ceasefire, they're on to something new:

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry says Armenian forces shot dead an Azerbaijani soldier near the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region

Armenia's Defense Ministry denies the charge. The Armenian side said its soldiers were preserving the cease-fire agreement in the area. Azerbaijan does not recognize the independence of the predominantly ethnic-Armenian territory, which has been under dispute since a six-year conflict that ended with a 1994 cease-fire.

We'll see what becomes of this story.

Source: RFE/RL

U.S. Wants More Armenians in Iraq & abroad!

It's not enough that Armenians are staying in the war for political reasons, now the U.S. is hinting that more participation would be better!

“The recent decision by the National Assembly and the recent statements by the defense minister made clear that Armenia understands that it must be a contributor to international security,” Godfrey told reporters. “This is important and dangerous work, and we very much appreciate it.”

Okay, so far, so good. But then he says this:

“Certainly the United States would welcome an increase,” the diplomat said. Godfrey indicated that this could pave the way for Armenian involvement in other conflict zones such as Afghanistan. “As Armenia develops its peace-keeping capabilities and the U.S. government is providing significant assistance in this, we hope that it will increase its deployment [abroad],” he said.

Just great! What Armenia needs now is to send its young to die in foreign wars, at least until we start fighting our own again. Ridiculous! Not until the U.S. recognizes the Armenian Genocide!

Source: ArmeniaLiberty

Armenians Remain in Iraq Despite Escalation of Violence

It seems that Armenia will remain in Iraq as long as the "war" ends up lasting.

The spokesperson Seyran Shahsuvarian said the platoon comprises 30 truck drivers, 10 sappers, 3 medics and 2 officers.

When asking in early December the Armenian parliament to extend the presence of the Armenian contingent in Iraq for another year defense minister Serzh Sarkisian said the peacekeeping mission in Iraq promotes enhancement of international standing of Armenia and its armed forces.

At least these are relatively low-risk tasks, even though a stray bullet from a machine gun hundreds of yards away does not differentiate between soldier and truck driver.

Source: ArmenPress

Another Azeri Soldier Surrenders

If anyone out there is doubting Armenia's superiority to its neighbors, eat your hearts out!

A spokesman for the Defense Ministry said an army conscript who identified himself as Samed Mamedov willingly crossed the westernmost section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and surrendered to Armenian forces deployed there on Sunday. The official, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvarian, said the 19-year-old claimed to have been systematically mistreated and humiliated by his Azerbaijani commanders.

The reported incident occurred one day after another Azerbaijani soldier, who reportedly crossed into Armenian-controlled territory east of Nagorno-Karabakh earlier this month, was handed back to the Azerbaijani side with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

I do feel bad for the fellow who was returned to the Azeris, because now he has to settle for fermented horse urine. If he's lucky, that is.

Source: ArmeniaLiberty