ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN CONGRATULATES COMPATRIOTS ON FIRST REPUBLIC DAY
/ARKA/
May 28, 2009
YEREVAN
On May 28, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan congratulated
compatriots on the First Republic Day.
"Heroic battles in Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan and Karakilisa in May 1918
resulted in declaration of independence after centuries of bondage",
the premier said in his national address.
Sargsyan said that the First Republic has emerged thanks to Armenian
people’s will.
"Victories won on battlefields restored our belief in own strength. Our
nation is steadfast in its determination to strengthen its statehood
and overcome present difficulties to build prosperous future", the
prime minister said.
He wished Armenian people sound health, peace, optimism and firm
statehood.
May 28 is the Day of the First Republic in Armenia.
On May 26, 1918, after of South Caucasian Seim collapsed, Georgia
declared its independence.
The Assembly of Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutiun,
the then main Armenian party, handed over government powers with the
right of dictatorship to Armenian National Council in Tiflis.
On May 28, Armenian National Council declared independence. The
independent republic functioned until December 2, 1918. In May, 1918,
Armenians defeated Turks near Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan and Karakilisa.
These victories have paved a way for declaration of independence.