October 29, 2005 - 15:51 AMT
Pentagon Head Appreciates Armenia Participation in Fight against Terror
Within the framework of his official visit to Pentagon Chairman of the National Security Council at the President of Armenia, Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan met with US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Armenian MOD Spokesperson, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net. In the course of the meeting the Pentagon leader reaffirmed US Government intention to cooperate with Armenia in military and technical fields. He appreciated Armenia's participation in fight against terror. Mr. Sargsyan thanked for military assistance and remarked the Armenian Government was ready to strengthen military cooperation with the US. During a conversation with journalists Mr. Rumsfeld said, «We are very glad to welcome the Defense Minister of Armenia in Pentagon again. We are also glad to be able to organize a good visit and discuss many issues referring to the aspects of our work. It is known that an Armenian element fulfills a peacekeeping mission and its soldiers work fine, and the Armenian Defense Minister is proud of them. We cooperate in defense reform and during the visit I got fresh information over that.» S. Sargsyan said, «I appreciate our relations and events organized in the course of the visit are an evidence of it. We do not have the right to miss these good opportunities of reforming out army. We will do it without fail.» Assessing the prospects of development of Armenian-American military relations, Mr. Rumsfeld said, «I assess them as very good. Our military hold periodical consultations. The Armenian Defense Minister has paid several substantial visits to US military objects and his visit to the US was evaluated as positive.»