March 25, 2007


Armenian PM Dies of Heart Attack

pm_0002

Andranik Markarian, Areg, Aragatsotn Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian, Oneworld Multimedia 2002

The BBC confirms that the Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markarian died of a heart attack. As mentioned in the previous post, the cause of death comes as no surprise to anyone although the news itself did.

Mr Margaryan, a dissident in Soviet times, became prime minister in May 2000 and was also the chairman of the governing Republican Party.

President Robert Kocharyan has called emergency talks over his death later on Sunday, the party’s news service says.

[…]

He is survived by two daughters and a son.

Meanwhile, the most extensive report so far comes not surprisingly from RFE/RL. Again, the cause of death is reported as “acute heart failure.” Tigran Torosian is said to be appointed as head of the commission charged with arranging Markarian’s State Funeral.

According to the head of Yerevan’s municipal ambulance service, Artem Petrosian, the 55-year-old chairman of the governing Republican Party (HHK) was unconscious and his heart stopped beating by the time two ambulance crews arrived at his apartment early in the afternoon.

“They immediately registered a heart stoppage and clinical death,” Petrosian told RFE/RL. Markarian was immediately given resuscitation treatment but did not respond, the official said, adding that the precise cause of his death will be determined by pathologists.

[…]

“For us, for the country, the party and his friends, this is a huge loss,” Tigran Torosian, the parliament speaker and a senior member of the HHK, told the A1Plus.am news service. Torosian credited the deceased premier with the HHK’s success and “achievements” registered by Armenia in recent years.

Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian, the number two figure in the official HHK hierarchy, was in Moscow on his way to China for an official visit when he heard news of Markarian’s sudden death. He reportedly cancelled the trip and was due to fly back to Yerevan.

In the meantime, Kocharian promptly expressed “deep sorrow” and offered his condolences to Markarian’s family. He also formed a special commission headed by Torosian and tasked with organizing Markarian’s state funeral. “The state commission today held its first meeting,” Kocharian’s office said in a press release.

[…]

Markarian was widely expected to resign as prime minister after the May 12 parliamentary elections which the HHK intends to win. Local observers have suggested that Sarkisian, increasingly seen as the HHK’s real top leader, is keen to take up the post and use it as a launch pad for the Armenian presidency. The question now is whether Sarkisian is willing to get the position before the vote. It is also unclear whether he is Kocharian’s preferred candidate for the job.

[…]

The U.S. chargé d’affaires in Yerevan, Anthony Godfrey, issued a statement on the occasion, describing Markarian as a “valuable partner of the United States.” “We honor Prime Minister Markarian’s lifelong contributions to Armenian life, from his work with the dissident National Unity Party during the 1960s and 1970s, through independent Armenia’s emergence from Soviet rule, and as the head of government since 2000,” Godfrey said.

The full RFE/RL report is here.

pm_0001

Andranik Markarian, Areg, Aragatsotn Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian, Oneworld Multimedia 2002

Posted by Onnik @ 9:52 pm. Filed under: Armenia, Politics, Caucasus, Elections, 2007 Parliamentary Election




5 Comments »

The URI to TrackBack this entry is: http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/03/25/armenian-pm-dies-of-heart-attack/trackback/

  1. A1 Plus has more:

    ANDRANIK MARGARIAN HAS BEEN A VALUABLE PARTNER OF USA

    [06:56 pm] 25 March, 2007

    The United States joins Armenians in mourning the untimely loss of Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. We honor Prime Minister Margarian’s lifelong contributions to Armenian life, from his work with the dissident National Unity Party during the 1960s and 1970s, through independent Armenia’s emergence from Soviet rule, and as the head of government since 2000. The prime minister has been a valuable partner of the United States, especially in his capacity as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Millennium Challenge Account - Armenia, which was built on a firm organizational foundation. I would like to extend my condolences to the Armenian people on this sad day. –Anthony Godfrey Charge d’Affaires, a.i.

    BIOGRAPHY OF ANDRANIK MARGARYAN

    [02:19 pm] 25 March, 2007

    Andranik Margaryan

    Andranik Markarian was born on June 12, 1951 in Yerevan.

    Andranik Margaryan graduated from the Department of Cybernetics of Yerevan Polytechnic Institute, as a computer engineer (1972). Since 1968 he was a member of the illegally functioning United National Party, since 1973, he was a Board member of the UNP. Since 1992, he has been a member of the Republican Party of Armenia, the first party registered in the RA, which was the ideological successor of the UNP. In 1993-97, he was the Chair of the RPA Board, in 1997-99, he was the Chair of the RPA, in 1999 he was repeatedly elected Chairman of the Board. In 1972-74, he worked at Yerevan branch of the National Gas Industry Research Institute, as a researcher, then, a senior engineer. In 1977-78, he worked at the Energy Research Institute of Armenia, as a head engineer. In 1978-79, he worked at the Electromechanical Plant, as the chief of the computer department. In 1979-90, he worked at the Information and Computer Center of the Ministry of Trade, as a chief of department. In 1990-1994, he worked at the State Committee for Special Programs, as a chief of information department. In 1994-95, he worked at the State Engineering University of Armenia, as a researcher. In 1995-99, he was elected to the National Assembly (NA) of the first convocation. In 1999, he was repeatedly elected to the NA and headed the “Unity” faction. In 2000, he was appointed RA Prime Minister, having undertaken the responsibility for the activities of the government together with the RPA.

    Margaryan having been politically oriented to G. Nzhdeh’s ideas, since 1966 has been criticizing the Soviet totalitarian system; from Hai Dat positions, he saw the future of the Armenian people as a democratic, independent nation-state. For the propagation of his ideas and activities, in 1974 he was arrested and convicted for two years of imprisonment.

    During the Karabakh war, he actively participated in the organization of volunteer units, weapons, ammunition and food supplies of Karabakh, he also participated in combat actions. Since 1998, he has been a member of the Volunteer War Veterans Union (Yerkrapah), thereafter, a Board member. A. Margaryan considers the development of RA economy as the crucial condition for the decent life of each RA citizen. A. Margaryan supports the enhancement of the peace established in the region, the continuation of the Karabakh negotiations and peaceful settlement of the conflict.

    In October 1992, February 1993 was elected a member of RPA board.

    In December 1993, 1994, on 2 December 1995 (2-nd congress of RPA) was elected the chairman of RPA board.

    On 20 December 1997(4-th congress of RPA) was elected the chairman of RPA, the chairman of RPA board.

    On 30 January 1999(5-th congress of RPA), on 9 June 2001(6-th congress of RPA ), on 12 July 2003 (8-th congress of RPA) was elected the chairman of RPA board.

    On 17 December 2005 (9-th congress of RPA) was elected the chairman of RPA.

    Married, two daughters, son and five grandchildren.

    Comment by Onnik — March 25, 2007 @ 10:12 pm

  2. ArmInfo also carries the text of a few other messages of condolences:

    2007-03-25 19:10:00 Message of Condolence of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, on death of Prime Minister of Armenia Andranik Margarian

    We mourn the sudden death of Prime Minister Andranik Margarian with deep pain. His death is a great loss for our native state and people, and the grieving Margarian family.

    The earthly life Andranik Margarian, devoted son of our people and patriotic statesman and politician, ended too soon. The Prime Minister of blessed memory brought his important contribution with special diligence to the strengthening of our statehood, the creation of a new life for the Armenians and to the gratifying work of building the luminous tomorrow of our people.

    Also worthy of gratitude are the labors and contributions of the late Prime Minister to the work of reinforcing the relationship between Church and state, making it more effective and productive.

    2007-03-25 19:05:00 President of Russia Expressed Deep Condolences in View of Death of Andranik Margaryan

    In view of a sudden death of Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, Vladimir Putin expressed his deep condolences to RA President Robert Kocharyan, to the country’s authorities and the relatives of the died, the press-service of Kremlin reports.

    […]

    2007-03-25 17:48:00 Robert Kocharyan Expressed Condolences in View of death of Andranik Margaryan

    RA President Robert Kocharyan has expressed his condolences to the relatives of Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan in view of his sudden death, RA Presidential press-service reports.

    2007-03-25 16:34:00 RA Parliament Speaker expressed condolences in view of death of Prime Minister

    RA Parliament Speaker expressed condolences in view of death of Prime Minister RA Parliament speaker, deputy Chairman of the Republican party of Armenia Tigran Torossyan expressed his condolences to the relatives of Armenia’s Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Republican party of Armenia Andranik Margaryan, who has suddenly died today. In an interview to a number of TV
    Companies, T. Torossyan noted that numerous successes and achievements of both the country and the party are connected with the name of Andranik Margaryan. “He was not only a big state and political figure, but a man who was ready to listen to man in a street. All of us, his friends and associates should be able to overcome this loss and accomplish all the affairs that were launched and realized together”, T. Torossyan said .

    Comment by Onnik — March 25, 2007 @ 10:18 pm

  3. how comes when some people die kharabakh clan always benefit?

    Comment by Gagik — March 26, 2007 @ 10:24 am

  4. Dear Onnik
    I would like to know cmments on above like posts how long stay on..
    please elaborate further and let me know.
    thanks in advance,
    Gaytzag palandjian

    Comment by gaytzag palandjian — April 1, 2007 @ 12:56 am

  5. Comments are permanent.

    Comment by Onnik — April 1, 2007 @ 11:30 am

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Leave a comment

Comments are currently moderated. If your comment does not appear immediately, there is no need to submit it again.

Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>


         

 




banner

Get free blog up and running in minutes with Blogsome | Theme designs available here

The opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of any publication or organization that he may be working for now, in the past or in the future.