Armenian Peacekeepers Are Known as "Courageous Boys" Abroad (EXCLUSIVE)

• 01.28.2017, 19:11
•  Armenia,  Interview

On the 25^th anniversary of the creation of the  Armenian Army "Armedia" IAA talked with Lieutenant Vahram Zohrabyan about the service of Armenian peacekeepers in peacekeeping missions .

- How long  have you been serving as a peacekeeper? What are the main skills that you have gained? What were the main difficulties?

- Since 2010 I have been participating in the NATO military exercises. In different countries I have also taken part in the courses of an instructor and a commander. During the courses we were taught how to deliver the knowledge in an interesting way, how to rightly communicate with soldiers, etc. During the military service there have also been some difficulties. I have undergone military service in different countries. I was forced to withstand various weather conditions, to get acquainted with the military skills of that specific country, to get acquainted with conditions of their military service, to learn how to quickly and rightly get oriented in a new location, etc.

I served in Lebanon and Kosovo. As compared to Kosovo, in Lebanon, people were kinder to us, which may be conditioned by the existence of large Armenian community there. 

- What are the main characteristics that make an Armenian peacekeeper different from others?

- As compared to the peacekeepers of other nations, I should state, that Armenian peacekeepers enjoy more trust. In difficult situations, commanders often rely on Armenian peacekeepers. They are just confident that the task will be accomplished properly. When they give certain tasks to Armenian peacekeepers, they even do not find it necessary to go and check whether it is done properly or not.

Besides, Armenian peacekeepers are known for their punctuality. There were even cases that instead of the expression of "German time", they wanted to use "Armenian time." Armenian peacekeepers have a high reputation and this is something that is taken into consideration abroad. 

Armenian peacekeepers are also known as courageous boys ("դուխով տղերք" in Armenian). I remember we were walking in the evening, when we noticed a foreign soldier running out of the watchtower in a terror. When we asked him what had happened, he told that he saw a huge spider. One of Armenian peacekeepers approached and with a quick movement of his hand killed that spider. This, of course, caused a huge surprise of a terrified foreign soldier.

- How would you estimate contacts with the peacekeepers of other countries?

-  It is very easy to communicate with them. Armenians are very sociable and are able to make friends very quickly. In many cases the only obstacle is language, but even in such cases we are communicating with hand gestures.

I would like to tell a very funny story connected with bad knowledge of language. We were coming back from our peacekeeping mission with Italians by the same plane. The plane first landed in Armenia, after which it should have to fly to Italy. When we were coming out from the plane, all of us said to the Italians: "Goodbye, Italy." One of our boys who was not that well in English, approached the Italian doctor and said: "See you tomorrow", after which everyone in the plane started laughing.

- Would you tell a funny story that happened during the service?

-  There are lots of funny stories. Once, as a commander of a battalion, I was serving on the border of Kosovo and Serbia. A narrow road was passing through the border and we had to write down about each car that passed. Very few cars were passing, hardly a car per hour. One of my service friends asked with joke what I would do if wedding cars pass through this road (like in Armenia, here also during weddings there were lots of cars). Of course, the question seemed quite funny, as almost no people were living near. However, after several minutes, really, wedding cars passed through that road. We were watching with great surprise. They came, greeted us and went. 

-  What is peace for you?

- Peace for me and I think, for the whole Armenian nation is a priority and the greatest wish.

-  What would you wish our Army on the 25^th anniversary of its creation?

-  I congratulate our Army on the 25^th anniversary of its creation and wish peace. With God help, let our servicemen have no reason to use their skills.