Sochi authorities force Armenian community to demount monument to General AndranikMay 28, 2011 - 12:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On May 28, a monument to General of the Russian army Andranik Ozanyan should have been unveiled in Volkonka settlement of Sochi, Russia. The event was dated to the Day of First Republic of Armenia. It was expected to bring together around 5,000-6,000 Armenians from Krasnodar region, Abkhazia, etc. However, the local authorities have firmly hampered the monument’s unveiling and stated that Armenians will need to demount the monument, threatening that otherwise it will be destroyed by the authorities. The authorities explained their decision by the fact that the monument’s unveiling may lead to Turkey’s refusal to participate in the Olympic facilities construction. Armenia’s Consul Ararat Gomtsyan told Armenian public activists of Sochi region in a phone conversation that he is unable to do anything. He also advised to meet the authorities’ demands. According to representatives of the Armenian community, the decision was adopted even in Moscow, but not in the region and due to the efforts of Azerbaijanis. It should be noted that this is not the first anti-Armenian action of the Russian authorities in Krasnodar region. “There is a certain policy of the Russian authorities towards the Armenian population,” reads a statement of the Armenian community. General Andranik Ozanyan is Armenia’s national hero. He is one of the leaders of the Armenian national liberation movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is also a national hero of Bulgaria. He was one of organizers of Sasun and Zangezur defense. On August 31, 1927, legendary General Andranik Ozanyan passed away in Fresno, California. His body was transported to France, and buried in the French Pere Lachaise cemetery. In 200, the government of the second independent Armenian Republic decided to relocate General Andranik’s remains to Armenia, where he received an honorable military reburial at Yerablur Pantheon. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |