 March 5 marks Commander Vazgen Sargsyan’s birth anniversary March 5, 2013 - 11:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - March 5 marks the 54th birth anniversary of famed Armenian military commander Vazgen Sargsyan. Vazgen Sargsyan was born in Ararat, Armenian SSR on March 5, 1959. He graduated from Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture in 1979 before working as a physical instruction teacher in a village school in Ararat. From 1983 to 1986 he was the Communist Youth League leader at the cement factory in Ararat. An amateur writer, Sargsyan then moved into literary life. From 1986 to 1989 he headed the publicity department of the Garun (Spring) literary monthly in Yerevan. But the Armenian national ferment of the late 1980s saw him abandon this role as he flung himself headlong into political life. In 1992 Sargsyan organized and led the "Mahapartner" special battalion during the Nagorno Karabakh liberation struggle. In 1992-1993 and 1995-1999 he was the Defense Minister of Armenia, in 1993-1995 he served as the Minister of Defense. After the 1999 parliamentary election, Sargsyan and Armenia's former Communist leader Karen Demirchyan formed a coalition and won a majority, after which Sargsyan became the Prime Minister of Armenia, but few months later both politicians, along with several others, were assassinated during the Armenian parliament shooting. Sargsyan was awarded by Hero of Artsakh and National Hero of Armenia titles.   Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18.   Partner news |  Latest news Protesters rally as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill  Georgian critics label the bill "the Russian law", comparing it to legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent.Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims.Azerbaijan, Jordan sign deal on defense cooperation Azerbaijan and Jordan have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, according to an official statement.First Canadian expert join EU mission in Armenia The first Canadian expert to join the European Union’s civilian mission in Armenia has arrived in Armenia. |
