The Head of State (Bako Sahakyan) handed gifts of some value and monetary prizes to the heads of police and national security under the Government, as well as to some of the staff (Armenia Today, 23 June, 2010) It is incomprehensible. It is first of all incomprehensible as to why some people are receiving “gifts of some value and monetary prizes” for carrying out their duties as part of their service. Their salaries are the remuneration for that. Further, if anyone was to receive monetary premiums, it would have to be a villager living in some rural border region of Artsakh, as, firstly, he has need of it and, secondly, his dedication and merit incomparably exceed the actions of a city-dwelling official. But that is not my real point. If there were to be any people these past few days who were to receive honours by the president of Artsakh, it would have to be those four killed and further four wounded soldiers, casualties in the defence of Artsakh. I bear in mind primarily military decorations because, as the Nagorno-Karabakh defence ministry stated, they were victims of a battle. Apart from what will be revealed by the future objective examination (let us hope that it will be so) to determine how it came about that the enemy managed to suddenly overrun our defensive positions, all the same, these men gave their lives or their blood, and they are therefore worthy of the gratitude of Artsakh. There cannot be heartfelt dedication without gratitude. Gratitude bears great significance which is necessary for those now living and for soldiers of the future. Gratitude is a value which fortifies the foundations of the state. Ara Papian Head of the Modus Vivendi Centre 23 June, 2010