Aram and Anna, Part 4

Aram: Hundred of police cars… transport trucks…buses…

Anna: … and they were not letting anyone in or out… it was really a horrible scene, as if there was a third world war going on, as if bombs were found there. It was obvious that people behind them did not want the truth out, or maybe later on, when the needles and syringes were found there… now that I think about it…

Aram: At 6:30 the cover up had started… when we reached the Northern Boulevard, there were several journalists with cameras

Anna: ... trying to take pictures of blood pools

Aram: There was a "Yerkir media" camera woman fighting with several police mean with batons, the policemen were with batons out. It wasn't just they were casually standing there protecting the perimeter.

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No room for family...

The Trial of the Seven keeps getting postponed. They keep pushing out more and more supporters, press, family, and either filling the courtroom with strangers, who are potentially paid, or leaving it empty. I'm not sure who this is benefiting - sure its easier for the judge to put it off, giving him more time, but is there another motive, another deadline to meet? Or is the banditocracy trying to bring things to such a head that things implode, on a small scale, and they can use it against the Opposition, against the People, against the Seven.
There are many videos getting posted almost daily - see the YouTube channel for a1plus, especially.
All of the videos about the court hearings are worth watching, but this video caught my attention.

The woman whom you see upset in the very beginning is the sister of Alik Arzumanyan, one of the Seven. Here is a rough translation of what she is saying:
“I’m going to pass. Let me go, I’m going to pass… Let the whole world see that they are not letting through the only sister of the RoA’s first ambassador: Arzumanyan, Neta (?)”[The a1plus article has her as Nelli Arzumanyan]

The other individuals interviewed on the video, who also speak very well, are:
Melissa Brown – Activist, wife of Alexander Arzumanyan
Arshavir Bozinyan- Azatamart
Aram Sargsyan – President of the “Republic” party
Mikael Danielyan – Human Rights Defender

Jahangiryan's trial is continuing, and he continues to dominate the courtroom. In fact, after basically calling the case and the court a farce, telling the entire courtroom that everything is biased and it wouldn't matter if the judge and the policeman on the stand switched places, and citing article after article of law, he pulls out a prepared speech, and calls the entire thing unconstitutional. He continues in this manner, but then wishes everyone success in their endeavours.

Gor Kloyan's Father Speaks Out...

A1plus put out a short article and a video...

Watch this video. Gor Kloyan's father explains that he refuses to stand for a judge and prosecutor who refused to stand when there was a moment of silence for the victims of March 1-2.

There is so much to be said, so much to be applauded, in the actions of the Seven, and ALL of the political prisoners.

What strikes me so much is the Dignity with which these individuals carry themselves. They are Proud, and they bring pride to their families and the true Armenia in their actions. They risk everything in pursuing to the end the principles which they believe to be right.

What strikes me too is the refusal to be victimed. Armenians, at least in the Diaspora, have thrived on defining themselves through victimization. Jahangiryan, the Seven, beaten Journalists, those who continue to come out to demonstrations and speak out, and so many others have shown all of us what true belief in principles is.

Aram and Anna, Part 3

Aram: People were there with their families. And you'd see, someone would go get some bread and cheese, and ask around to see who wanted some, who was hungry. It was heart-warming.

Anna: … Serjik heracir, Hayastanu moracir.

Aram: … The rule of engagement was announced, when you meet the barricades. Smile, give them flowers. They are the workers, the people. That was the rules of engagement.

Anna: People would get off of the buses, off from work, tired, at the end of the day. They would join us.

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Anyone want some Molybdenum, and don't forget the bananas...

Edik Baghdassaryan of Hetq recently wrote an article inquiring about the importation and exportation of Molybdenum in Armenia. It's quite a story, and made me very curious. And it reminded me of the Hetq story on the importation/exportation of Bananas in Armenia, with the follow up article.
Go ahead and google "molybdenum armenia." The third result shows that Karen Karapetian was the manager, and maybe still is. So I looked him up. The first google result for Karen Karapetian is this, telling us that,among other things, he was a member of the National Assembly and on the Standing Committee on Financial-Credit, Budgetary and Economic Affairs. But I couldn't confirm that he was still an NA member as his name does not show up on the NA website. And, I thought I remembered that he was politically affiliated, though that site says he is not. He is in fact a member of the Republican Party, and there is a info page about him, the most recent update of which says that "Since 2006 has been a member of Republican Party of Armenia. On 22 June 2006 was elected a member of RPA board and chairman of the economic commission of RPA."
But let's keep looking.
I put "Karen Karapetian" into search in RFE/RL/ArmeniaLiberty. There are alot of articles, including the Press Review, and tons of information, I've chosen a few key informative quotes - I've tried to put them from oldest to newest:

Aug 27, 2002 The paper also quotes the leader of the People's Deputy parliamentary group, Karen Karapetian, as saying that there will be less vote buying in the next elections. Many members of the non-partisan group have been accused of buying their way into the parliament. Speaking about that, Karapetian says: "After all, if the candidates are handing out something during elections, let them do that. I find it normal. They are stealing so much from the people. Let them give something back," says the parliamentarian who made a fortune in Russia.

May 19, 2006 ” According to the paper, the HHK is the largest and wealthiest of such tutelages. Interviewed by “Aravot,” Karen Karapetian confirms reports that his People’s Deputy parliamentary group has been offered senior posts in return for lending support to the coalition. “There are some proposals,” he says. “We are still discussing them.”

October 25, 2006 Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian, who has been actively involved in Russian-Armenian energy dealings, also strongly hinted at the pipeline’s imminent transfer under ARG control. He said he will ask the ARG chief executive, Karen Karapetian, to publicly “explain the situation in great detail.” The pipeline from Iran was supposed to end Armenia’s strong dependence on Russian gas and other energy resources. Critics say that by putting it under de facto Russian control the Armenian government would only deepen that dependence. [ARG=ArmRosGazprom]

December 5, 2006 In particular, claims the paper, a wealthy Russian-based brother of senior lawmaker Karen Karapetian told Republican leaders that he and many other Armenian businessmen working in Russia will contribute to the HHK’s victory in the polls with cash provided that Karapetian is appointed prime minister in 2008. It says Sarkisian’s and Prime Minister Andranik Markarian’s response to Samvel Karapetian was rather ambiguous.

February1, 2007 “Hayk” alleges that Karen Karapetian, the leader of the People’s Deputy parliamentary group and a senior member of the Republican Party (HHK), has already begun handing out vote bribes in several Armenian regions. “Of course, Mr. Karapetian is not personally going from house to house and giving cash. That is being done for him by the leaders of the HHK structures in those regions,” says the paper.

June 11, 2007 “Hayk” describes the situation of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) after the elections, arguing that “it has finally become [Prime Minister] Serzh Sarkisian’s personal property.” “Old Republican Party members have been pushed to the background… But the most interesting is whom they picked for the head of the HHK parliamentary faction – the Tashir department store owner Karen Karapetian, who is doing his business under Serzh Sarkisian’s patronage, and as long as Serzh Sarkisian has ambitions to become president, Karapetian will consider himself to be one of Serzh’s closest and most loyal deputies in parliament.”

September 30, 2008 President Serzh Sarkisian appointed on Tuesday a leading member of his Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), Karen Karapetian, as the new chief of his staff. A member of the Armenian parliament since 1995, Karapetian was until now the leader of the largest National Assembly faction representing the HHK. The previous head of the presidential administration, Hovik Abrahamian, was elected parliament speaker on Monday as part of a leadership reshuffle reportedly engineered by Sarkisian months ago.

[image is from an article on armeniadiaspora.com in 2006]

Today is December 19th...

And so starts the Trial of the Seven.
Here's the first video from A1plus, and a brief article by them as well.

Official ANC Report to PACE

There's alot in the news about PACE, and the sanctions. More on that later.

Here is the Official ANC Report prepared for the PACE Monitoring Committee:

REPORT BY THE ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
On the Implementation of Resolutions 1609 and 1620 of PACE

Here are some recent PACE documents:


The implementation by Armenia of Assembly Resolutions 1609 (2008) and 1620 (2008)
18 December 2008 - Provisional version

12/18/2008
Charging persons for political motivation is ‘unacceptable’: PACE committee demands suspension of Armenia’s delegation voting rights

Phew... at least we have the tallest tree...

An article in the Lancet, a respected medical journal, has published a study revealing that Hayastan is among those countries who have varying levels of discrepancies between how many children they report immunizing, using Funding intended for that purpose, and how many were ACTUALLY immunized. That means there are numbers that are out of place, and some money that may have lost its place, too. And no extra children were immunized. And we all know that there are still underimmunized children in Armenia. We're in a group with Zimbabwe, Somalia, and Myanmar. Again, a similarity with Myanmar. Hmmm. FYI, this study looked at the administration of the Diptheria-Pertussis-Tetanus vaccine, which all kids in the US get three times.

Now, let's not be hasty - I'm being serious. There are a number of recognized potential flaws, including but not limited to how the numbers are calculated to begin with, which has been a criticism of international health programs in the past. And there is some concern that the Gates folks (who funded the study) are blowing things out of proportion. FYI - none of the countries are being accused of corruption. As one can imagine, its extremely difficult to get accurate numbers to begin with. So funds to the countries are being frozen pending further investigation and explanation.

But, hey, don't worry! Armenia is going to have the biggest, tallest, brightest darn Christmas tree of all of the CIS countries!! Don't forget the really cool hot air balloons earlier this year...

What a beautiful sight for the children of Armenia to enjoy, while they lay in bed coughing from Pertussis, and infecting their Tatiks and Papiks! That tree'll cure 'em for sure!

Aram and Anna, Part 2

Transcriber: what about when he had said his life had been threatened earlier on – what was the reaction?

Anna: We never heard about that…

Aram: Let's say it like this… if that was the case, then the Kocharyan government had a responsibility to investigate that, it was never confirmed or re-affirmed…

Transcriber: What was the reaction to the fact that he had just said…

Aram: The announcement from the LTP campaign was to Artur Baghdassaryan to not fall to the trap of the government, do the right thing for his supporters and joint the opposition, and if not he would be a davajan, and end up in Armenian political life as an oblivious person…the people had mixed reactions… he thought he was going to win…

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Now that's what I call a Telethon...

The Center of Civil Development is having a Telethon to raise money, this December 21. Please join me in watching and supporting this, and SPREAD THE NEWS that this is happening.

On a personal note, when the original Armenia Fund came out, years ago, and did the first Marathon Telethon, I was very excited. It was one of the first times I had seen an attempt to publicly unify all Armenians, scattered all around the world, for the betterment of Armenia and NK. And so, when early on, they used certain strategies, like pictures of Monte Melkonian, to help inspire and motivate people, and raise money, I was more than okay with it. More than okay because, unlike what is true today, those fighting for the country, literally and figuratively, were back then supported by and supporters of the government. But what that telethon has become is, well, quite intolerable to say the least.
I hope, and have reason to believe, that this Telethon will be a resurgence of that which once was. That is, a reminder to those who watch that at the center of the word Armenian, is Armenia, which is nothing if not composed of individuals. That to claim an Armenian heritage is not an end in itself, but a manifestation of a truth which requires that a person further Armenia as a country, a nation, a collection of unified individuals-- fundamental to which are the FUNDAMENTAL Human Rights which have been taken away as of recent.

New Eyewitness reports March 1-2: Aram and Anna Part 1

I've received a verbatim (voluntary) transcription (including translation where necessary) of two people discussing what they experienced during the March 1-2 time. What I know about this transcription is that it is literal, the transcriber asks a couple of questions for clarification but otherwise it is a frank conversation between two people, and that it is long - I will publish it in many parts. Also, all names, and some parts of the city not key to the account have been changed. It is one of the most detailed accounts I've seen, especially in English.

Part 1

Aram: Before the elections, Levon Ter Petrosyan's last announcement was that on February 20th, we are going to gather, to celebrate our victory. And so, on the 20th, the meeting was going to be at 3pm. People started to gather…

Anna: The roads from the village were closed…

Aram: That day was a regular day, but it felt like a holiday. The meeting was at 3pm, but no one felt like going to work, no one was at work. So slowly everyone started to gather at the Madenataran. At 3 o'clock, people were there, the police were there, too. Among the people there was talk that the roads were closed…

Anna: The marshuts were stopped too…

Aram: At 3 o'clock people were gathered on the sidewalks on the way to the Madenataran...

click here to see all of Part 1

Vahan Shirkhanyan speaks out...

Vahan Shirkhanyan recently answered questions in Los Angeles, and was, one might say, motivational. Below is the video made available on Massis Weekly's online site. Here is the link. I've pulled out some of my favorite sections and done a rough translation below...
For those who don't know, Mr. Shirkhanyan was very active in the Movement in 1988. He had been with the government since Independence in 1991 and worked closely with LTP and Vazgen Sargsyan. He was very close, both personally and politically, with Vazgen Sargsyan, until he was killed. From 1995-1999, he was Deputy Defense Minister. From 1999-2000 he was Deputy Prime Minister under Aram Sargsyan. He joined the Hunchakyan party in 2008. He is highly decorated for his efforts in the NK war.


He said Armenians should demand that SS not be involved in the negotiations, and encouraged the Diaspora to hold demonstrations in Washington, Paris, etc...

“By official numbers, 800,000 have left the country under RK.” Those who left, he said, are those who are industrious workers, they leave children and elderly behind and care for them. As a result, there is a deformation in Armenian society. “There are children who don’t have the guidance of their fathers; there are the elderly, who have no one to care for them.”
“Now picture the voting process under these conditions. The elderly don’t take risks, if someone gives them 5000 drams they say ‘well, this is good, at least it provides me with one month’s nourishment.’ …And in the place of those absent workers, the government votes. It turns out that emigration has become an important method of winning the elections...”

“Everything should be done to stop this, but the biggest obstruction is the authorities. The authorities have to change. RK has caused so much damage that correcting them will take many years to change…and some damages will never be corrected...”

There was a question from the audience: “We understand the need for change in authority. How do you see the path that would lead to a change in the authorities?”

VS: “If you take classic text book examples, there are altogether a few paths. Political struggle, elections, change of government through elections; if that doesn’t work, meetings, demonstrations, protests asking for resignations; if that doesn’t work, pressure from big countries due to which the government resigns; if that doesn’t work, internal change as a result of which the government resigns; if that doesn’t work, revolution; and if that doesn’t work, the last resort assassinations. These are classic, textbook examples, not what I’m saying. These are the paths to pass from dictatorship to democracy... TerPetrosyan has chosen the most civilized path and that is the path of political struggle... and I’m sure it will yield results.”

Bjni, and who else....

According to a1plus, Bjni is due to go up for auction, but who will buy it is not yet known. This is interesting. Clearly there is a huge element of political persecution in the Bjni case. We know that. But it will very interesting to see who comes forth to buy it... who has the money, who will be allowed to purchase the factory?
Which reminds of another business that seems to be up for grabs, after another type of persecution... Hay Post... but more on that later....

Postanjyan on RFE/RL

Armenia Liberty posted the video of Anna Israelyan interviewing both Nayra Zohrabyan of Bargavaj Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) Party, and Zaruhi Postanjyan of Jarangutyun (Heritage) Party. There are four parts to the video, if you only have a bit of time, watch the last two segments.
link to the interview
For those who haven't seen it, RFE/RL had done a profile of Postanjyan earlier this year: here.

Hatspanyan, revisited...

Its now been several weeks since Hatspanyan's original imprisonment, after he publicized a plot to kill SS, of which he had been informed. I haven't seen or heard much heard about him since, except I do think I read something recently, that he is not receiving access to his family and/or lawyer, as he should be.
Below is a relevant piece that was in Haykakan Zhamanak on December 5, with a translation below.
նամակ Ղարաբաղից-2

Նոյեմբեր ամսվա սկիզբն էր, երեկոյան լսում էինք «Հայլուրը»: Հանկարծ կինս ապշած ինձ նայեց ` լսելով Սարգիս Հացպանյանի անունը, ով մեր բազմամարդ ընտանիքի բարերարն ու հոգաբարձուն է: Մի՞թե այդքան դաժան ու անմարդկային կարող է լինել Պարույր Հայրիկյանը, ով բացասական կերպար համարելով Սարգիսին` քննադատում է նրան ու դավաճան անվանում: Կառավարության լիդերնե՛ր, երբ 1996-ին իմ սոված ու մերկ 15 փոքրիկ մանուկներով Աշտարակ քաղաքից բռնեցի Լաչինի ճանապարհը, ձեզանից ո՞ր մեկը ասաց` ո՞ւր ես տանում այդ խղճուկներին: Մինչեւ 2000 թվականը ապրել ենք Քաշաթաղի կորած գյուղերից մեկում` օրվա մի բուռ ալյուրին կարոտ: Այդ պահին էր, որ եկավ Արա Մանուկյանը, եւ երկու անգամ օգնություն ցուցաբերեց ողջ գյուղին. նախկին վարչակազմը, սակայն, հալածելով նրան` արգելեց օգնել մեզ: Այնուհետեւ եկան Գուրգեն Մելիքյանն ու Սարգիս Հացպանյանը եւ Աստծո օրհնությամբ օգնեցին ու մինչեւ հիմա էլ օգնում են մեզ: Հենց Սարգիս Հացպանյանն է, որ իր հաշվին ինձ համար մեքենա է գնել, որպեսզի կարողանամ երկու կոպեկ աշխատեմ այս լեռներում եւ չընկճվեմ, որ 15 զավակ եմ ունեցել: Հացպանյանի շնորհիվ Քաշաթաղի հողը ինձ համար ծննդավայր դարձավ, եւ սկսեցի ապրել հանուն զավակներիս ու հայրենիքի: Դիմում եմ ՀՀ իշխանություններին` ես 50-ն անց մարդ եմ, 5 որդիս ծառայել են բանակում, 2-ն էլ դեռ պիտի ծառայեն, խնդրում եմ` ազատ արձակեք իմ սիրելի Սարգիս Հացպանյանին եւ փոխարենը ի՛նձ դատապարտեք, որ 15 երեխա եմ ունեցել:

Սերգեյ Պողոսյան
Քաշաթաղի շրջան
գյուղ Գողթանիկ

Letter from Kharabagh

It was in the beginning of November when we were listening to Haylur. All of a sudden my wife looked at me, astounded, having heard Sargis Hatspanyan’s name, who is the benefactor and overseer of our large family. Could Paruyr Hairikyan be so cruel and inhuman as to consider Sargis a harmful figure, criticize him and call him a traitor?
Leaders of government, when in 1996 I began my journey from the town of Ashtarak to Lachin with my 15 hungry and naked children, which one of you said “where are you taking those pitiful children?”
Until the year 2000 we lived in one of the forsaken villages of Kashatakh, in need of our daily handful of flour. It was at that moment that Aram Manukyan arrived and twice brought assistance to the entire village. The previous administration, however, persecuted him and forbade him to help us.
After that arrived Gurken Melikyan and Sargis Hatspanyan, and with the help of God, helped us and continue to help us to this day.

It was the same Sargis Hatspanyan who bought me a car at his own expense so that I could make a few kopeks in these mountains and not be overwhelmed by the fact that I had 15 children. Thanks to Hatspanyan, Kashatakh became my birthplace and I began to live in the name of my children and my fatherland.
I appeal to the authorities of the Republic of Armenia. I am a man of over 50 years of age. Five of my sons have served in the army, and two more will serve.
I beg of you, set my dear Sargis Hatspanyan free and in his place, condemn me, who has had 15 children.

Sergey Poghosyan
Kashatagh region
Gokhtanik Village

Where is Ohanyan going?

From the Dec 4 Haykakan Zhamanak...
հեռանում է

ՀՀ պաշտպանության նախարար Սեյրան Օհանյանը առաջիկայում պատրաստվում է բուժման նպատակով մեկնել Հայաստանից: Իշխանության վերնախավում առկա խոսակցությունների համաձայն` Օհանյանը արձակուրդից իր պաշտոնին էլ չի վերադառնա:
Իշխանության ամենաբարձր մակարդակներում քննարկվում է, որ Սեյրան Օհանյանին այդ պաշտոնում փոխարինելու է ՀՀ զինված ուժերի Գլխավոր շտաբի պետ, պաշտպանության նախարարի առաջին տեղակալ, գեներալ-գնդապետ Յուրի Խաչատուրովը: Ավելի լայն շրջանակներում, սակայն, վերջին շրջանում համառ լուրեր են պտտվում այն մասին, որ ՀՀ պաշտպանության նախարար է նշանակվելու Ռոբերտ Քոչարյանը: Չի բացառվում, որ այս լուրերը Քոչարյանի վերադարձին սպասող ինչ-ինչ շրջանակների ցանկությունների արտահայտման ձեւ են:

Briefly, HZH is reporting that Seyran Ohanyan, Defense Minister of Armenia, is leaving Armenia to seek medical treatment, and will not be coming back to his position. In the highest levels of the government, there is discussion that next in line is the first delegate Houri Khachaturov. However, there is talk amongst other circles that RK is going to come back to become Minister of Defense. The blurb also doesn't exclude the possibility that these rumors are just being put out there, by certain circles.

Now, that's interesting. For a number of reasons. He has been very active even up until recently in the discussions about NK. There is some word that he is on bad terms with Khatchaturov. If he truly has a medical condition, from one carbon based life form to another, I hope he recovers.

But let's talk about that. On November 28, I read an article, which I translated/summarized at the time, thinking I would want to keep it, because it was curious. Now, I'm pretty sure it was from Haykakan Zhamanak, but its not in their archive. Could this event, below, be tied to the event, above?

Haykakan Zhamanak ??? Friday, Nov. 28 issue.

Haykakan Zhamanak reports that in the early morning hours of Thursday, an ambulance came out of the Presidential building. According to eye witnesses, it was accompanied by police cars, and red berets surrounded the building.
When HZ reporter tried to find out more from the Emergency Center, they were told that they didn’t know anything about it, and that they did not receive any calls and therefore couldn’t tell who from the Presidential building needed emergency care.
The Press office of the Presidential building denied anything like that had ever happened.
A. Kushkyan, Minister of Health said that no such thing had happened. And, he added, had there been such an incident, he would certainly have known.

Wikipedia has a short bio of Seyran Ohanyan, for those interested.

Learning from Mexico, and Thailand...

NPR did a short story yesterday, which I was able to find online, about the massacre of innocent students heretofore little spoken of and researched, in Mexico in 1968. Read for yourselves - it is a very VERY familiar story, with shots fired into a demonstrators, beatings and imprisonments, special divisions of military, snipers, tanks, intentional provocation by government forces, hidden numbers of dead, official accounts drastically different from eyewitness ones,and so on...
Back to the present day, a similar situation...I offer my congratulations to the Thai people who have persisted for so many months...
BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Demonstrators said they would end their siege at Bangkok's major airport after Thailand's top court banned the prime minister from public office for five years and dissolved his ruling party after finding it committed electoral fraud.

The Mayor of Gyumri, the Church, and Politics

I’m not a big fan of organized religion, but this story caught my attention:

There has been an ongoing conflict between the mayor of Gyumri, Vardan Ghukasyan, and the primate of the Diocese of Shirak, Archbishop Michael Ajapahyan, that is now coming to a head. With the blessing of Serj Sargsyan and Arthur Baghdasaryan, the mayor has started a campaign to replace the independently minded prelate.

The issue at stake is the Mayor’s plan to appropriate church lands to build stores (as per one report). Lilit Aghekyan, head of the information department of Gyumri municipality said “regarding the territories belonging to the church, any territory in the town is under the authority of the municipality,” and Ghukasyan has stated on TV that he does not have to report to anyone about his plans, including the head of the diocese. Really? I don’t know the laws regarding this situation, but it seems that the city can’t just take land from the church, right?

But there’s more to it than that. According to Lragir, the prelate is the only obstacle in the mayor’s plan to turn Gyumri into his own “zone of influence.” The archbishop criticized the mayor just before his election, and openly criticized the mayor’s alleged illegal actions in the city. Not only that, the Archbishop has populist leanings, as he is known to sit with freedom-fighters on hunger strike.

Lragir also reports that according to a reliable source, Sargsyan’s staff is strongly pressuring Catholicos Garegin II to “solve” the problem of the prelate: pressuring in ways that Lragir doesn’t want to mention so as to “spare the readers.” I don’t want to be spared, I want to know what’s going on.

The citizens of Gyumri are supporting the Archbishop and on Sunday some of them met with the Catholicos, who said he would try to bring peace into the situation, but if that doesn’t work, he’ll have to replace the prelate. The delegates apparently warned the Catholicos not to take such a step.

As Lragir points out, the Catholicos has to make a choice, as the problem is now partly in his lap. But it’s not just a choice about this piece of land, it has become a political choice- not the first one. If you ask me, the Armenian Church made its choice when it blessed the inauguration of Serj Sargsyan, and that on the 40th day after the death of 11+ people on March 1.

Where was the church when there were victims to be mourned, and souls to be saved, prayed for? After all, isn’t that the role of the church, the saving of souls, protecting the people against both mortal and immortal dangers, leading the people towards salvation, toward God, the path of Divine Light and Good? As far as I’m concerned, they were busy making deals, selling their own souls. And when one of them in this institution of organized religion stands his ground, standing up for the people, he comes under political attack. We’ll see if the Church will stand up for one of their own, we know they didn’t stand up for the people of Hayastan.

Wondering who this mayor is? Below is a video on YouTube of an interview he gave a while back:


Sources:
Azatutyun radio (Dec 1) via RFE/RL
Lragir
Hetq Online
ArmeniaNow