"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 manifestation of self-righteous behavior of Defense Minister Suren Papikyan, which is unacceptable from the head of the most sensitive organization. We are talking about the army coat of arms, the new version of which no longer contains the cross, 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 army coat of arms was changed, what was the legal or professional justification for this, and especially why the cross was removed. However, the department headed by Suren Papikyan did not give any clear answer. "The People" was told only that the topic would be addressed "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 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 valuable significance. "Zhoghovurd" noticed that large banners with the inscription "Republic Day" are already hanging in the Republic Square of Yerevan, 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 RA tricolor, the map of the Republic of Armenia, which now adorns the pre-election chests of the CP members, there is also an eagle with a sword in one hand and a cross in the other. However, the version of the coat of arms currently available on the official website of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia shows the flag of the Republic of Armenia without the map, as well as an eagle perched on a cross on the shield, and the sword is 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."
