SERZH SARGSYAN SIGNS DECREE ON DECLARING JULY 16 DAY OF MOURNING IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
July 16, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of the crash of TU-154
plane travelling from Tehran to Yerevan RA President Serzh Sargsyan
addressed with a condoling speech to the population of the country,
which mentioned:

"Dear compatriots,

Today I apply to you on a sad occasion, some hours ago the
Tehran-Yerevan plane crashed. According to our information, all
passengers and the crew died in the crash. Our compatriots are also
among the victims.

We cannot retrieve the losses and express our condolences to the
relatives and friends of the victims. The Armenian authorities do
their best to help them at this hard moment.

It is hard to find words of condolence for the people who have lost
their relatives. I wish you strength of spirit and courage to overcome
this great tragedy."

On July 15, on the occasion of the crash of TU-154 plane which was
travelling from Tehran to Yerevan S. Sargsyan convened a special
meeting, during which the heads of the National Security Service and
General Department of the Civil Aviation presented the details of the
crash. It was decided to establish a governmental commision headed
by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Territorial Administration.

According to the RA President’s Press Office, on the occasion of
death of many people in the crash on July 15, including citizens of
Armenia and Armenians by nationality, S. Sargsyan signed a decree on
declaring July 16 a day of mourning in the country.