Armenian military commander Vazgen Sargsyan would turn 60 today

March 5 marks the birthday anniversary of Vazgen Sargsyan, an outstanding Armenian military and political figure who rose to prominence in the early independence period, becoming Armenia’s first minister of defense, and later also - prime minister.

The great military commander would turn 60 today if alive.

The Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) liberation battle largely created Sargsyan’s image as an architect of Armenia’s state-building. From the very first days of the pan-national movement, he was among the active champions of the campaign for self-determination and independence. From 1990 to 1991, Sargsyan united the Armenian volunteers’ troops under the slogan Yerkrapah (defender of the land), becoming later also the organization’s leader.

A member of Armenia’s Supreme Council in the late Soviet period, Sargsyan headed the committees of defense and home affairs in the top legislative body.

His contribution was invaluable to keeping the native land, and the country’s state borders invincible. Appointed Armenia’s minister of defense in 1991, he had his great investment also in the creation of the national army.                      

Sargsyan embarked on a political career in 1999 - first as the leader of the Republican Party and later also the co-chairman of the political alliance Unity. The 8th prime minister of Armenia, Sargsyan served only several months in the senior government office. He was killed tragically in the October 27, 1999 terrorist attack in Armenia’s parliament along with other leading government officials and legislators.

Under a decision by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a special government commission (led by the premier himself) has been created to mark the special jubilee. The Government has allocated about 13 million Drams (over US $ 26,000) from its reserve funds to the Ministry of Defense to organize the celebration on a proper level.