December 8, 2003 - 20:22 AMT
ARMENIAN LEADERSHIP HONORED MEMORY OF SPITAK EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
Yesterday, on the 15-th anniversary of the Spitak earthquake, Armenian President Robert Kocharian visited the town of Spitak, where he places wreaths to the memorial to the victims of the devastating catastrophe. To remind, December 7, 1988 earthquake took the lives of 4000 residents of Spitak and destroyed more than 5 000 houses. R. Kocharian also viewed the city center that was repaired at the expense of the Linsi Fund and where over 1800 flats have been built recently. The President was accompanied by Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian and Russian State Duma deputy Iosif Kobzon. During the briefing the well-known singer noted that he has a lot of ties with Armenia. "I am delighted by the fact that the Armenian people, having such a tragic course of life did not bend under the burden of difficulties", - he said.