October 27, 2009 - 13:51 AMT
Memorial to October 27 terror attack victims opened in RA National Assembly park
Monument to victims of October 27, 1999 terrorist attack was opened today in RA National Assembly park. In a speech delivered at opening ceremony, Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan mentioned that terrorist act took the lives of such national heroes as Vazgen Sargsyan, Karen Demirchyan, Ruben Miroyan, Yuri Bakhshyan, Leonard Petrosyan, Michael Kotanyan, Armenak Armenkyan and Henrik Abrahamyan. "Our loss is irretrievable, and the past years were not enough for mitigating the pain and sorrow we suffered. I beg to quote Armenian President's words saying 'Armenian people are unanimous in their goals. Our future demands that we have a strong and stable statehood.' "

In her speech, Rima Demirchyan, Karen Demirchyan's widow, also mentioned about the grief that has existed for 10 years. "Monument opening is a little bit retarded step, but that doesn't mean memory about victims is not alive. Today, it is necessary to make all possible steps for full detection of the crime," Mrs. Demirchyan said.

Opening ceremony was attended by President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, as well as Ministers and MPs, Vazgen Sargsyan's parents, Karen Demirchyan's widow, relatives and friends of victims.

Author of the monument known as "David Wins Goliath" is sculptor Yervand Kochar.