Yerevan, May 30, Armenpress:  Hundreds
of thousands of Armenians joined hands to encircle Armenia's highest mountain
Aragats Saturday, in a dance of unity to celebrate the establishment of
the first Armenian republic in 1918. More than 150,000 people danced for
about 15 minutes in a massive, 165-kilometer (100-mile) circle along the
roads surrounding Mount Aragats, about 60 kilometers (40 miles) north of
the capital, Yerevan.
The event was also joined by Armenian President Robert Kocharian, Nagorno
Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasian, Armenian government officials led by
Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian and members of parliament. Kocharian arrived
at the mountain foot after attending a ceremony at the historical complex
of Sardarapat accompanied by famous French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour.
Armenians living in all foreign countries joined the event. Asked by reporters
to comment on a recent announcement by Ukraine that it could deploy peace-keeping
forces along the line dividing Armenian and Azeri troops around Nagorno
Karabakh the latter's leader Arkady Ghukasian said there was no need for
it, because the truce has been maintained for 11 years already without any
international interference. Ghukasian also spoke about the summer parliamentary
elections in Nagorno Karabakh saying the election campaign proceeds normally.
"My duty is to ensure free and fair elections and I believe we shall
achieve it," Ghukasian concluded.
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