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.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.
The investigation is under way.
Source: A1+
3 comments:
There should be an eye for an eye approach to the sniper killings as a deterrent. Given that there are three Azeri soldiers per one Armenian soldier, each dead Armenian soldier should automatically warrant the elimination of four Azeri soldiers.
I am not sure whether such a policy already exists.
I'm sure the policy does exist - moreover, I recall one of my relatives who recently returned from military service recalling that.
However, I find the issue is different in that - the Government of Armenia should be really vocal about cases like this and make sure to condemn killings in the state of cease fire internationally.
Another issue is - discipline in the Army. I remember one of the Freedom Fighters from Artsakh, a journalist in Kharabakh speaking about simple things like smoking on the post and soldiers having mobile phones while on duty. These are things related to basic discipline, which are just not there, or are practiced selectively. I mean - when the solider is on guard in the night time the little light of a cigarette alone could be enough to invite the attention of the enemy sniper.
While you make strong points, Observer, the more important issue is what Armenia and the international community are going to do to further prevent such events, and I'm not even referring to changes in training/conduct.
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