“Zhoghovurd” daily writes:

“The change of the symbol of the Armenian army was once again carried out behind closed doors, without public discussion, without presentation of professional opinions and without any official explanation. This is the Ministry of Defense Suren Papikyan is the manifestation of self-righteous behavior, which is unacceptable from the head of the most sensitive structure.

We are talking about the coat of arms of the army, in the new version of which the cross is no longer missing, the important symbol that has been an integral part of the identity and historical heritage of the Armenian armed forces for years.

“Zhoghovurd” daily newspaper tried to find out from the Ministry of Defense when the coat of arms of the army was changed, on what legal or professional basis it was done, and especially why the cross was removed. However Suren Papikyan they did not give any clear answer from the department they were in charge of. “The People” was told only that they will address the topic “after May 28”.

However, a fundamental question arises here: why was the change of such an important symbol of the army not presented to the public in advance? Why does the society face the fact after the already made change? If we are talking about the transformation of the state symbol, then at least an open and transparent process was expected, with public discussions, with the participation of historians, political scientists, church and military circles.

Instead, it turns out that the government once again made an important decision on its own, hidden from the public.

The fact of the disappearance of the cross itself is even more remarkable, because the Christian and national elements in the symbols of the Armenian army have always had not only historical, but also value significance.

“Zhoghovurd” noticed that large banners with the inscription “Republic Day” are already hanging in Yerevan’s Republic Square, on which the supposed new symbol similar to the coat of arms of the RA Armed Forces is depicted. In that new version, of course, there is the tricolor of Armenia, on it the map of Armenia, which now adorns the pre-election chests of CP members, there is also an eagle with a sword in one hand and a cross in the other.

However, on the version of the coat of arms currently available on the official website of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, the flag of the Republic of Armenia is depicted without a map, as well as an eagle perched on a cross-shaped shield and a sword in a scabbard.

Now Papikyan has changed the coat of arms of our national army to his taste and does not consider it necessary to explain why, how and when.”

—