Radio Free Europe, Czech Rep.
May 26 2005

Armenian Minister, MP Deny Brawling In Parliament

26/05/2005 20:48

Armenian Minister for Local Government Hovik Abrahamian and a
pro-government lawmaker denied on Thursday throwing punches on the
parliament floor the previous day despite eyewitness accounts to the
contrary.

The dispute occurred mid-way through the government’s regular
question-and-answer in the National Assembly, just moments after most
journalists covering the session rushed out of the main parliament
auditorium to interview Prime Minister Andranik Markarian.

At least one reporter claimed to have seen Abrahamian swearing at
parliament deputy Aramayis Grigorian and then being punched in the
face by the latter. Others heard their angry voices in the parliament
lobby.

However, both men denied that the row turned violent. `There was just
a businesslike conversation,’ Abrahamian told reporters. `I’m
surprised that it has been blown out of proportion. There was no
problem.’

`We may have raised our voices during the conversation, but there was
no fight,’ he added.

`There were no punches,’ Grigorian told RFE/RL.

The dispute broke out after Grigorian, who owns one of Armenia’s
biggest wineries, felt that Finance Minister Vartan Khachatrian did
not properly answer his question relating to the collection of excise
duties on alcohol and protested to Abrahamian. The lawmaker was
elected to the parliament from the electoral list of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), one of three parties
represented in the government.

Both officials are the natives of the southern Ararat region where
they have similar business interests. Abrahamian, long considered to
be Armenia’s unofficial prime minister, was named by President Robert
Kocharian late last month to head a newly created ministry which
oversees local governments and the government departments on
emergencies and refugee affairs. Kocharian also appointed Abrahamian
a member of his National Security Council, making him a potential
candidate for the post of prime minister.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andranik Markarian sought to downplay the
extraordinary argument, saying that neither men did anything wrong.
`The minister was not guilty,’ he said. `Neither was the deputy.’