SERZH SARGSYAN: GYUMRI SHOULD BE TURNED INTO NORTHERN CAPITAL CITY OF ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan

Dec 8, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. "Gyumri should be turned into the
Northern capital city of Armenia, it should be given the opportunity to
become a center to host Pan-Armenian Games, Armenia-Diaspora forums,
big international meetings, to be a capital city of sports and arts,
restoring its former liveliness," the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
repeated his promise given months ago during the solemn ceremony held
on the 20th anniversary of the 1988 Spitak earthquake in Gyumri on
December 7. "My demand is simple: to make work in this direction most
active: I will demand not only statistical data, but also a change in
the environment, a change in the atmosphere and the style of work,"
he said.

S. Sargsyan underlined that a lot of work has been done under the
guidance of the second president of Armenia Robert Kocharian, the
despair was overcome, with the apartment conditions of thousands of
families being improved and numerous schools, kindrgartens, healthcare
and cultural instititions being built, but the consequences of the
disaster have not been fully eliminated yet. "Moreover, today we
have the problem of rapid development, we should be able to bring
the development rates of Shirak, Lori, Tavush and other Armenian
marzes into line with the development rates of Yerevan. We will solve
together these problems and in a few years we will be able to fully
overcome all the consequences of the disaster," S. Sargsyan said. "We
promised that and we will do that – despite the global economic crisis
and the existing obstacles," the president stated.

The president, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, the second
president Robert Kocharian, numerous officials, guests from abroad,
including the member of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal
Assembly Nikolay Ryzhkov participated in the opening ceremony of
Monument to the Innocent Victims and Kind Hearts at Surb Amenaprkich
Church in Gyumri. Serzh Sargsyan said that the monument by Frid
Soghoyan not only perpetuates the memory of the victims but also pays
a tribute of respect to all those – individials, international and
Armenian charitable organizations, heads of countries, rescuers and
builders who lent a helping hand to Armenia.

Nikolay Ryzhkov, who as the USSR prime minister assisted the Armenian
people hit by the disaster 20 years ago, reminded about the words of
Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I: "A disaster should be received
with a grief but without a despair and one should feel oneself a
victor", and his behest was fulfilled: the Armenian people has won
and regenerated. N. Ryzhkov made public the message of the Russian
president Dmitry Medvedev which in particular read: "We bow our heads
in memory of thousands of victims of the disaster, at that difficult
time Russia lent you a helping hand and made its contribution to
rescue and restoration work. I am sure that the strategic partnership
of the two countries based on strong traditions of friendship and
mutual help will develop and become stronger in the future as well".

A service for the repose of the dead and a Liturgy were celebrated
by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in Surb Mariam Astvatsatsin
Church of Gyumri (also known as "Seven Wounds"). Karekin II read the
letter of blessing of Patriarch of All Russia Alexy II in connection
with the 20th anniversary of the earthquake. The letter was written
by Alexy II two days before his death.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress