TRACKING STEPS OF ELDERS TO VICTORY

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
24 Feb 07

On February 20, 1988 the historic meeting of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Supreme Soviet first discussed the claims of the people who desired to
unite with Armenia. It was not a political issue that was being solved
but the problem of human lives, said one of the outstanding political
figures of the time. On February 20 on the Rebirth Day, the Haik
Generation, a youth NGO, and the Fighter for Homeland youth
organization held a march along the same streets as during the first
rally in 1988. Early in the morning groups of young people gathered at
the Square of Victory. The march was followed by a ceremony. The
president of Armenia Robert Kocharian had awarded the NKR Defense Army
and separate military units. The minister of defense Serge Sargsian
had arrived to deliver the medals. `The medals conferred on the
Defense Army and the military units are the evaluation of our best
traditions. Today we recall the glorious way the defense army has
passed,’ said the NKR minister of defense Seiran Ohanian. `Great
victories are impossible without individuals. But individuals are
individuals, whereas the final victory was gained by the defense
army. The collective force should be appreciated,’ Serge Sargsian, the
defense minister of Armenia said. Later in the evening the film
`Self-Establishment’ by V. Bagirian was shown at the Home of
Officers.

NORAIR HOVSEPIAN.
24-02-2007