|
ARMGATE SPOTLIGHT
|
WWW.ARMGATE.COM
Your Open Gate to Armenia
ARMGATE SPOTLIGHT
Issue #49, November 1, 1999
Dear readers,
Tragic events of October 27 heavily disturbed Armenia. Weekly
spotlighted, couldn't keep you informed on these events in a
timely manner. Nevertheless, with some delay, we would like to
introduce you the newscasts of those critical events in a
chronological order.
Please, also note that our daily news are currently available at
new address:
http://www.armgate.com
e-mail: armgate@armgate.com
****************************************************************
ARMENIA'S PRIME MINISTER AND SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT BADLY WOUNDED
IN THE RESULT OF SHOOTING IN PARLIAMENT
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27. (SNARK). Today, about 5:00 pm a group of
people, armed with sub-machine-guns opened a fire in the National
Assembly of Armenia. According to Snark's correspondent in the
parliament, the Armenian Prime Minister Vazgen Sarkissian and
Speaker of the parliament Karen Demirchian were shot. Both are
seriously injured, however, it is hard to say yet how heavily
they were injured or whether they are killed. The security
service of the parliament did not interfere the course of
skirmish, as for the policemen they were even unaware of the
events taking place in the building of the parliament.
DEPUTIES OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT ARE CAPTURED
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27. (SNARK). As Snark was informed in the Health
Ministry of Armenia, about 15 persons are wounded during today's
exchange of fire in the parliament. The city hospitals of Yerevan
continues receiving those who are wounded. According to the
information received from Snark's correspondent who is presently
near the building of the parliament, all those who are leaving
the parliament assert that the Prime Minister Vazgen Sargssyan is
killed. Information that the former journalist Nairi Hunanian is
among the criminals is almost confirmed. He was a member of
Dashanaktsoutyun party. According to the information available
Hunanian was dismissed from the party several years ago.
TERRORISTS DEMAND TO SPEAK WITH THE ARMENIAN PRESIDENT
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27. (SNARK). Terrorists, who captured the
deputies of the National Assembly of Armenia, demanded to conduct
a meeting with the Armenian President Robert Kocharian. As
Snark's correspondents inform from the place of the event, the
car of the Armenian President was seen by the building of the
parliament, but nobody saw Robert Kocharian entering to the
building of the parliament. There is no information on whether
the President enters the building or not and whether the
negotiations started or not. Dashnaktsoutyun party announced that
several years ago Nairi Hunanian was ousted from the party.
According to the reliable sources Hunanian has spent 2-3 years in
Crimea. What did he do there and why did he come back from
Armenia is not known yet.
TERRORISTS WHO ATTACKED THE BUILDING OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT
MOTIVATES THEIR ACTIONS "BY THE INTERESTS OF THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE"
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28. (SNARK). The head of group of terrorists,
which attacked the Armenian parliament, Nairi Hunanian announced
on the air of the Armenian A1+ TV that their actions were
directed to the protection of interests of the Armenian people
and for the sake of the people. "Yes, there are innocent victims
among those who were killed, but it is just a result of technical
facts. Except Prime Minister Vazgen Sargssyan all the rest were
innocent victims", - Hunanian announced. "murder is one of
methods of shock which gives opportunity to the Armenian people
all over the world to come to its sense and become the master of
its fait".
8 PERSONS KILLED BY TERRORISTS IN PARLIAMENT OF ARMENIA
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28. (SNARK). As of 6:00 am Oct 28 the situation
in Armenia has not changed any tangibly. Negotiations with armed
terrorists are going on in the building of the Armenian
parliament surrounded by special purpose forces. Killed are -
Speaker of the Armenian parliament Karen Demirchian, Prime
Minister Vazgen Sargsian, Vice Speakers Yuri Bakhshian and Rouben
Miroyan, Minister for Operational Issues Leonard Petrossian, MPs
Mikael Kotanian, Armenak Armenakian, Henrik Abrahamian.
ROBERT KOCHARIAN APPEALED TO ARMENIA PEOPLE TO CONSOLIDATE FOR
OVERCOMING THE ORDEAL
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28. (SNARK). Today President of Armenia Robert
Kocharian appealed to the Armenia people: "Compatriots! Today I
am forced to appeal to you on a tragic occasion. The events in
the building of the National Assembly of Armenia compelled us to
consolidate for overcoming this ordeal. I express my deepest
condolences to the families of the victims, who were my comrades
and friends. I assure you that the authorities are keeping the
situation under control", is said in the appeal.
RUSSIA'S DEFENCE MINISTER CONFIRMS ARRIVAL OF ANTI-TERRORISTIC
GROUP IN YEREVAN. ANOTHER GROUP IS EXPECTED AS WELL
MOSCOW. OCTOBER 28.(SNARK). The first anti-terroristic group
arrived in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, in the evening of October
27. The second aircraft with reinforcements is expected at 12:00
am by Moscow time, Russia's Defence Ministry informed Snark.
However no other information was provided.
OPERATION ON LIQUIDATION OF TERRORISTS IS PREPARING BY THE LAW
ENFORCEMENT BODIES OF ARMENIA
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28. (SNARK). According to unchecked information,
the law enforcement bodies of Armenia prepare the operation on
liquidation of terrorists, who entered the hall of sessions of
the National Assembly and captured about 50 MPs and members of
Government of Armenia. As for 12:00 am of local time of October
28, terrorists did not forwarded a certain demands, except the
meeting with the President of the republic at the hall of
session.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH TERRORISTS CONTINUE IN ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28. (SNARK). Negotiations with terrorists still
continues in the National Assembly of Armenia, Snark was informed
in the press office of the Armenian President. According to the
information of the Armenian TV channels, the demand of terrorists
for providing them a direct broadcast on the National TV will be
satisfied. The time is not clarified yet.
ALL HOSTAGES ARE LET FREE
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28.(SNARK). According to the press-office of the
Armenian President, by 11.00 am YT, all deputies of the
parliament and the members of the Armenian Government, being kept
as hostages at the parliament, were freed and brought out from
the building of the parliament. The terrorists are arrested and
sent to the Armenian Ministry of National Security. The President
of Armenia Robert Kocharian also left the building of the
parliament.
STATEMENT BY TERRORISTS SHORTLY BEFORE THEIR SURRENDER TO LAW
ENFORCEMENT BODIES
YEREVAN. OCTOBER 28.(SNARK). Today, terrorists having occupied
the sessions hall of Armenia's National Assembly spread an appeal
addressed to the Armenian nation. The appeal reads: "Our today's
action has not been targeted to killing of deputies. We were
going to intimidate them and called upon them to bend down.
However when bodyguards opened shooting we had to answer, and as
a result innocent people were killed. We should have confined
ourselves firing in air if not bodyguards' shooting. All our
actions were directed to restoration of rights of our nation. We
look forward to get your moral and actual support and require the
authorities to provide our security and fair judgment".
BIOGRAPHY OF KAREN DEMIRCHIAN AND VAZGEN SARKISSIAN
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28.(SNARK). As it has been already informed, on
October 27, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Karen
Demirchian and the Prime Minister of Armenia Vazgen Sarkissian
were killed by terrorists, who captured the session hall of the
Armenian parliament.
KAREN DEMIRCHIAN - Speaker of Armenian National Assembly.
He was born on April 17, 1932 in Yerevan.
In 1954 graduated from the Yerevan Polytechnic Institute,
receiving the speciality of "engineer-mechanic". At the same year
started to work at one of the scientific-research institutes of
Leningrad, as a Chief engineer-constructor.
In 1955-1966 worked at the Yerevan electro-technical factory as a
Chief engineer, than technologist, Chief master, Head of the
shop, Chief engineer, than the Director.
In 1966-72 was the Secretary of the Yerevan city committee of the
Armenian Communist Party,
In 1972-88 was the First Secretary of the Central Committee of
the Communist Party of Armenia.
In 1991-99 worked as the Executive Director and the Head of the
Board of the Armelectromach Ltd.
Starting from May, 1998 was the Head of the People's Party of
Armenia, and starting from April, 1999 - the Co-Chairman of the
Unity bloc
Starting from June 10, 1999 was the Speaker of the National
Assembly of Armenia.
VAZGEN SARKISSIAN - Prime Minister of Armenia
Sarkissian was born on March 5, 1959 in the village of Ararat of
the Ararat region. He graduated from the Yerevan Institute of
Physical Culture in 1979.
1979-1983 - soccer trainer, and teacher of physical education in
secondary school of Ararat
1987-1997 - head of the Editorial Board of the Garun (Spring)
literary magazine.
1990-1992 - commander of volunteers of "Erkrapah"
1990-1992- chairman of the Permanent commission on defence and
internal issues of Armenia's Supreme Council
1991-1992 -Armenia's Defence Minister
1992-1993- Advisor for defence issues of Armenia's President, the
presidential envoy in Armenia's border zones
1993-1995 - State Minister of Armenia
1995-1996 Armenia's Defence Minister
>From March, 1999 -leader of Armenia's Republican Party
>From June, 1999 - Prime Minister of Armenia
DECREED BY ARMENIA'S PRESIDENT PAN NATIONAL MOURNING IS DECLARED
FROM OCT 29 TO OCT 31 1999
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28. (SNARK). In view of the tragic events of Oct
27, which resulted in the murders of statesmen and politicians of
Armenia, Armenia's President released a decree, under which a pan
national mourning is declared in the Republic from Oct 29 to Oct
31 1999. All flags over the whole territory of Armenia as well as
at Embassies of the Republic abroad will be lower on these days.
DEPUTIES OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT ARE FIRM IN PROVIDING NORMAL
CONDITIONS FOR ACTIVITY OF SUPREME LEGISLATIVE BODY OF ARMENIA
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28. (SNARK). Today, a joint session of all
parliamentary factions and groups took place in the National
Assembly of Armenia. The participants of the meeting widely
shared the viewpoint that only joint efforts may bring the state
out of the tragic events of October 27 in the Armenian
parliament. Readiness and firmness to provide a normal activity
of the National Assembly due to coordination of the board of
heads of factions, which is to prepare the conduct of special
session of the parliament, was expressed.
GENERAL PROSECUTION OFFICE OF ARMENIA INSTITUTED PROCEEDING ON
FACT OF ATTACK ON NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BY AN ARMED GROUP
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29. (SNARK). The General Prosecution of Armenia
instituted proceeding on article 61 of the Criminal Code (act of
terrorism) on the fact of attack of armed group on National
Assembly of Armenia, as a result of which 8 persons were killed,
Snark was informed from the press office of the Prosecution
General of Armenia. The investigation is being carried out by
investigating department of the Prosecution General of Armenia.
TERRORISTS WHO KILLED THE HEADS OF THE ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT,
MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT AND GOVERNMENT ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY ANY
PARTY OR ANY POLITICAL FORCES
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29. (SNARK). Terrorists who killed the heads of
the Armenian parliament, members of the parliament and government
are not supported by any party or any political forces, Vahe
Gabrielian, the Spokesman of the Armenian President stated at
today's briefing. Answering the questions on the reasons of
actions of the terrorists, the spokesman stressed that under the
data available, these were terrorists-on-their-own, who do not
represent any political forces and do not come forward with any
political demands. The investigation will reveal the details of
the crime. Responding the question on how the armed persons
managed to enter the parliament, Vahe Gabrielian stressed that
the Armenian President has spoke many times about the necessity
of strengthening the pass control and setting necessary apparatus
in the posts of the parliament. However, the heads of the
parliament refuted this proposal motivating by unwillingness to
built additional obstacles between voters and deputies.
ADEQUATE ESTIMATION OF SITUATION AND RIGHT ACTIONS OF PRESIDENT
OF ARMENIA PREVENTED NEW DEATHS ON OCT 27
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29. (SNARK). The adequate estimation of the
situation, right perception of the psychology of the terrorists,
as well as an iron self-composure allowed President of Armenia to
grip the situation on its tuft and prevent new deaths or wounds
among the people captured by the gun-men in the building of the
parliament, Press Secretary of the Armenian President Vahe
Gabrielian announced at today's briefing.
He informed that right after the information on the penetration
of terrorist into the building of the parliament and on all the
subsequent events there was received by President Kocharian, the
latter, giving all necessary directives to corresponding bodies,
left for the parliament without a moment's hesitation. Making
sure that the case is extremely serious, the President assumed
the responsibility for both the liberation of the hostages and
the normalization of the situation. As a matter of fact he
coordinated the activity of the law enforcement bodies,
controlled the course of the negotiating process in the building
of the parliament, and did many other things towards the soonest
possible settlement of the situation.
ROBERT KOCHARIAN: WE MUST SHOW EVERYBODY THAT WE CAN OVERCOME
CRISIS YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29. (SNARK). "As a result of the May 30
parliamentary elections, the internal political situation in
Armenia became much more stable; all the branches of power
interacted normally. We were convinced that we would be working
calmly for the four oncoming years at the least. However in few
minutes the situation turned round and now the country is facing
serious difficulties, which may be overcome only by consolidated
efforts. We must show the whole world that we can pull through
the crisis", Armenia's President Robert Kocharian announced at
his today's meeting with members of the Armenian parliament.
According to President Kocharian, after the funerals the
elections of leaders of the National Assembly of Armenia will
take place, and later on, after consultations with political
forces of the country, President will designate a new Premier,
who in his turn, will submit the new list of the Staff of the
Government.
DELEGATIONS OF 27 COUNTRIES AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS ARRIVED FOR
PARTICIPATING IN CEREMONY OF FUNERALS OF VICTIMS OF OCT 27 ACT OF
TERRORISM IN BUILDING OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 31. (SNARK). To participate in the ceremony of the
funerals of the victims to the Oct 27 act of terrorism in the
building of the Armenian parliament, delegations from 27 countries
and public organizations worldwide have arrived in Yerevan, SNARK
was informed at the department for public relations of the Ministry
for Foreign Affairs of Armenia. The delegations are headed by:
Georgia - President Edward Shevardnadze
Israel - Ambassador of Israel to Georgia and Armenia E.Eitam
Turkey - State Minister M.Iktamcelik
Netherlands - Ambassador O.Hatingt Vant Sant
USA - Deputy Secretary S.Talbott (visited on Oct 29)
USA - Deputy Secretary J.Tufts
UK - Member of the Parliament, Deputy Foreign Minister C.Woz
Rumania - Prime Minister R.Vasile
Bulgaria - Vice Prime Minister V.Metodin
Denmark - Ambassador Y.Krogbaek
Italy - Deputy Foreign Minister U.Ragneri
Sweden - Ambassador S.Hyrdman
France - Special Envoy of the Senate G.Uge
Iran - Foreign Minister K.Kharrazi
Finland - Ambassador A.Koistinnen
China - Minister for Information
Uzbekistan - Speaker of the parliament
Switzerland - Ambassador Y.Butcher
Tajikistan - Vice Speaker of the parliament R.Mirzoyev
Canada - Foreign Minister L.Abawordy
Belarus - Speaker of the parliament M.Ling
Khyrkhyzstan - First Vice Prime Minister B.Milayev
Greece - Defence Minister A.Yoanzopulos
Moldova - Prime Minister I.Turga
Ukraine - Prime Minister V.Pustovoytenko
CIS - Executive Secretary Y.Yarov
|
|