KOCHARYAN DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN CONGRESS
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[06:43 pm] 12 February, 2009
The 4th Congress of the "Prosperous Armenia" party stroke the eye
with the representation and officialdom. The string quartet was
playing live classical music for the delegates on the first floor
of the government sessions hall. All "Prosperous Armenia" delegates
were dressed in suit and tie and the only people without ties were
ARF representatives Hrant Markaryan and Armen Rustamyan.
The Russian, Ukrainian, Chinese and Croatian delegates were seated in
the first row. They addressed the political party and faction members
and transmitted the addresses and congratulations of the presidents
to founding leader of the "Prosperous Armenia" party Gagik Tsarukyan.
In his speech translated to Russian, Representative of the Communist
Party of China Tyan Tsuntszyan stated that thefriendly ties between
Armenia and China have spanned centuries and are further enhanced
with the support of the "Prosperous Armenia" party.
Assistant to President of Croatia Miro Pipich, Representative of "Party
of Regions" of Ukraine Lavrinovich and member of the "United Russia"
faction of Russia Igor Chernishev attached importance to the role of
the "Prosperous Armenia" party in the political field of Armenia.
Seated next to the foreign guests were Serzh Sargsyan, RA
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and NA Chairman Hovik Abrahamyan,
leaders and secretaries of the Republican, ARF, Country of Law and
"Heritage". None of the non-parliamentary political parties were
invited. Even Robert Kocharyan was not invited and his name was not
mentioned in the speeches.
Serzh Sargsyan made an opening speech at the congress followed by
ARF Bureau representative Hrant Markaryan, leader of County of Law
Arthur Baghdasaryan. They attached importance to the cooperation with
"Prosperous Armenia" and stated that the party has turned into an
organized party in a short matter of time.
Head of the "Heritage" faction Armen Martirosyan made a speech with
a cold-shower effect as he recalled the tribulations that the two
factions have seen.
"We met on the crossroads during a very crucial period when we
witnessed the tragedy of March 1. We are all responsible," said
Martirosyan adding that we must establish peace and stability in the
country together to get out of the situation with honor.
In his speech, Gagik Tsarukyan talked about the inadmissibility of
hatred, while Serzh Sargsyan put "people making up stories" in order.
In fact, for the first time in the history of political parties of
Armenia, the RA presidential administration accredited journalists to
provide coverage of the event, while some opposition media journalists
were deprived of that opportunity.