April 16, 2007

Heritage Charges Through Weekend

Yerevan—On Saturday, April 14, school principal Anahit Bakshian, Yerevan State University professor Vardan Khachatrian, and other Heritage candidates joined Raffi K. Hovannisian on a campaign tour through Karakert, Dalarik, Baghramian, Miasnikian, Nalbandian, Metsamor, and other cities and villages in the Armavir region. At Etchmiadzin, the final stop, hundreds of Heritage supporters packed one of the city’s largest halls to listen to the party’s program for a new Armenia. (Needless to say, having witnessed the size and spirit of the crowd, the government’s H1 television journalists quickly escaped; the footage was not shown.)

On Sunday, April 15, as buses of volunteers distributed campaign literature in Dzoraglukh, Ttujur, Chknagh, Vardenis, Aparan, Avan, Oshakan, and dozens of other cities and villages across the republic, Raffi K. Hovannisian walked through Yerevan’s Shengavit district; for four hours, he talked with citizens about Armenia’s problems and the solution we must find in ourselves and together.

On Monday, April 16, Heritage’s campaign bus “Toward Victory” carried Raffi K. Hovannisian to Aparan, Kuchak, Aragats, Shenavan, Saghmosavank, Ohanavan, Karpi, Mughni, Kosh, Ujan, Byurakan, Agarak, Voskevaz, Oshakan, and Ashtarak, where Heritage representatives walked the streets and spoke with the people. These talks often evolved into larger public meetings, specifically in Ashtarak and Ujan, where Hovannisian and his fellow citizens engaged one another with questions and suggestions. At night, Raffi and Armenouhi Hovannisian had supper with the Indian, Dutch, and Italian ambassadors to Armenia.

Tomorrow, at Heritage Headquarters, Raffi K. Hovannisian will receive officials of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission led by Ambassador Boris Frlec. Also at Heritage headquarters, party spokesman Hovsep Khurshudian will hold the first of Heritage’s biweekly press briefings, which are open to all media and the public.