Armenia’s Ministry of Defense reports that yesterday evening Minister of Defense met with members of the Public Council and discussed a government-backed bill to raise funds in support of killed or maimed soldiers by taxing working citizens 1,000 AMD ($2.10) per month.

Armenia’s parliament passed the bill today by a vote of 102 to 3.

The ministry’s press release does not mention if any council members raised objections to the bill. It merely states that there was an “exchange of ideas and opinions”.

Many in Armenia believe the Public Council, established by presidential decree after the bloody events of March 1, 2008, merely exists for show and doesn’t reflect public opinion in the least.