The last addenda item in the extraordinary Council session in Gyumri was to deprive the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of “Pyunik” Human Resources Development All-Armenian Fund, Doctor of Historical Sciences, professor Levon Azati Sargsyan of the title of honorary citizen of Gyumri.
The rapporteur was Armenuhi Vardanyan, rep. of GALA political party. The latter said that 1800 people have signed against the council decision. “You have not tried to find out the public opinion and study what Gyumri people think about Serzh Sargsyan, his brothers Sashik and Levon. I am sure that you know what people are thinking and knowing it, you have granted this title to Levon Sargsyan. I have constructed my report on the conclusion of Samvel Balasanyan sent to GALA, with which Balasanyan has expressed his loyalty to Serzh Sargsyan, using all manners to justify his inglorious decision of the council. You mentioned in the conclusion that the title of honorary citizen of Gyumri is not deprived just for the fact that he is the brother of Serzh Sargsyan. I agree with you but for one case if you prove that you have not granted this title to him because of the fact that he is the brother of Serzh Sargsyan. What has Levon Sargsyan done? I am sure many of those who voted for will not be able to list it,” – said Armenuhi Vardanyan.
Right after these words, the city council members reacted from their places, what do you know? Armenuhi Vardanyan continued, “I’ll tell you why we should deprive Levon Sargsyan of this title because Levon Sargsyan” Pyunik “foundation that organized the festival is more a reminiscent of a den of corruption where millions of dollars enter, maybe many of you pay this fund again on the grounds that it is Serzh Sargsyan’s brother’s Fund, and it is necessary to make a share of his their possessions. If the head of “Renaissance” festival is such a benefactor, so why, let’s say, Gyumri children are not able to attend it on free bases. Enter the site and look at the price list, how much the participates should pay in order to be able to attend the festival organized by the famous benefactor Levon Sargsyan. Residents of Nagorno-Karabakh – 6 thousand drams although the Gyumri citizen’s ticket says 7 thousand drams, the choirs have paid a lump sum of 20 thousand AMD, the foreigner – 100 euros, foreign participants in the choir – 80 euros and so on. In 2016, the 8th “Renaissance” international contest festival was attended by more than 3000 participants from 36 countries. The “Renaissance” festival as much as knowledgeable people know, receives money also from various donations making organizations, we are talking about huge sums,” – said the speaker.
Samvel Balasanyan warned to quickly finish her speech as she has only one minute left, the GALA representative concluding her speech said she has no expectations that the council is able to agree to their initiative of depriving Levon Sargsyan of the title of “honorary citizen of Gyumri”. On hearing this, the council members started shouting and demanding honor, saying her not to say such absurd things. Samvel Balasanyan was unable to calm down the tension. One of the council members, Mkhitar Sahakyan, tried to protect Levon Sargsyan. “If you are aware of everything that Levon Sargsyan carried everything away, looted and plundered as you are presenting, the other honorary president is not aware of anything, and gives money and used him, yeh?” – asked council member Mkhitar Sahakyan to the GALA representative. The latter wondered who the next president is, in response, the council member said, “The honorary president of “Pyunik” foundation.
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Armenuhi Vardanyan continued, asking, “Will you give his name?” “No, I will not say, the name is difficult, it is a Syrian-Armenia,” – the council member tried to bait, and a heated dispute began involving other council members. Each one was shouting from his place that nothing was possible to hear. Levon Barseghyan said that Levon Sargsyan has mentioned in his recent interview, “I do not care, I am not aware of, if they want to deprive, let them do it, if they want to grant, let them grant,” and suggested to take the granted title back because according to him, he does not have sufficient merits next to Charles Aznavour and Martiros Saryan to be called an honorable citizen of Gyumri.
“It is your opinion,” – said Samvel Balasanyan and raised the question for voting. All council members attending the session, except for Levon Barseghyan, unanimously voted against depriving Serzh Sargsyan’s brother of the title of honorary citizen of Gyumri. Later, Samvel Balasanyan, talking to the reporters and the GALA representatives, said, “Dear reporters and citizens, dear GALA TV party, President of “Asparez” Levon Barseghyan, enough to play on the nerves of the city … Enough, it is not good to offend and discredit people who come and do good to our city, we must express thanks to people and encourage them. Do not play with the honor of the city, you did things devoid of the logic to be able to collect votes during the electoral process, take them, what else do you want. We must encourage people who do good rather than display such an attitude toward a professor.”
Levon Barseghyan expressed willingness to react, but Samvel Balasanyan said, “Goodbye, the session is over.” The dispute between the council members and the GALA party was moved to the corridor of the municipality.
Nune AREVSHATYAN
