SERGE SARGSIAN’S INAUGURATION CEREMONY ACCOMPANIED BY UNPRECEDENTED SECURITY MEASURES

Noyan Tapan
April 9, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Newly elected President Serge
Sargsian’s inauguration ceremony held on April 9 was accompanied by
unprecedented security measures. All streets leading to Liberty Square
were closed for pedestrians. The journalists accredited for taking
part in the special NA sitting were first checked in the NA, then by
buses they were brought to the inauguration place, A. Spendiarian
National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. Before the start of
the inauguration, which was fixed for 14:45, Armenia’s state flag was
brought from RA President’s residence, RA Constitution’s original was
brought from the Constitutional Court, and the 7th century’s Gospel
was brought from Matenadaran.

State and public figures, foreign guests from nearly 50 countries
and from international organizations took part in the inauguration
ceremony of the newly elected President. Czech and Georgian journalists
had arrived from abroad to cover the inauguration ceremony of the
Armenian President.

By the way, Georgian journalists, who like the Czech ones were
discontent with the working conditions, said that the inauguration
ceremony of Georgian President M. Saakashvili was much more accessible
for journalists.