ANN/GROONG - Armenia Marks 8th Anniversary Of Independence Armenia Marks 8th Anniversary Of Independence Interfax Russian News September 21, 1999 YEREVAN. Sept 21 (Interfax) A military parade was held in Yerevan on Tuesday in celebrations of the 8th anniversary of Armenian independence. The march was attended by President Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Vazgen Sarkisian and other Armenian leaders. In a message to the nation, Kocharian said that Armenia "is pursuing an active policy of economic reforms, deepening democracy, promoting regional and global cooperation." He spoke on the need to purposefully boost the country's potential, resolve socioeconomic problems and settle the Karabakh conflict. Kocharian received messages of greetings from many leaders, including French President Jacques Chirac, chairman of the People's Republic of China Jiang Zemin, Greek President Konstandinos Stephanopoulos, Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski, Pope John Paul II and Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Kocharian will host an official reception Tuesday evening. A festive concert and fireworks are also on the schedule. Eight years ago, a referendum was held in Armenia in which the overwhelming majority voted for independence. Back to News Home     Back to OIA Home