ARMENIAN TV CHANNELS AIR LIVE NEW PRESIDENT’S INAUGURATION CEREMONY

Public TV
April 9 2008
Armenia

The main Armenian TV channels aired live the inauguration ceremony
of the newly elected Armenian president, SerzhSargsyan, on 9 April.

In its special live bulletin at 0800 gmt on 9 April, the Armenian
Public TV "Haylur" news showed theArmenian national flag, the main
copy of the Armenian constitution and an Armenian-language Bible of
the 7th centurybeing removed from the Presidential Palace to be taken
on separate vehicles to the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet where
the Armenian parliament held a special session to inaugurate the new
president. The symbols are used in theinauguration ceremony, and the
newly-elected president puts his right hand on the constitution and
the Bible when takingan oath.

The news bulletin then went on to present Serzh Sargsyan’s biography,
interviewing his former teachers,classmates, friends and state
officials who all praised Sargsyan as a patriot, a man of integrity
and honour.

The privately-owned Shant TV had a commentator in the studio who
was speaking about presidential inaugurationtraditions in various
countries.

The TV channels aired live the special session of the Armenian
parliament during which Sargsyan took an oath, thetext of which is
prescribed in the Armenian constitution and is unchangeable. Sargsyan
was followed by ArmenianCatholicos Garegin II, who blessed Sargsyan
after making his speech. Sargsyan then took the floor again and
delivered a speech, saying he would do his best to fulfil all the
pre-election promises he has given.

The inauguration ceremony wrapped up by a brief military parade
on the Freedom Square, next to the Theatre of Operaand Ballet, the
traditional venue for most protest demonstrations and rallies in the
recent history of Armenia.