Aram Manukyan trembled with excitement
On August 23 Armenia marked the 19th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. But none of the declarers was present at the official ceremony.
"August 23 of 1991 was a holy day," says member of the Pan-Armenian Movement (HHSh) Aram Manukyan, who was entrusted with the proclamation of the declaration.
"The day was remarkable for the whole republic. There were neither authorities nor opposition in the country. I doubt whether our people will ever enjoy such glorious moments," said Mr. Manukyan.
The Supreme Council was set up in 1990. The two main issues put on the agenda were elections to the Supreme Council of Armenia and the proclamation of Independence. Levon Ter-Petrosyan was elected SC President on August 4, 1990 and on August 23 the Supreme Council adopted the Declaration of Independence.
"I was entrusted with the proclamation because of my name and surname. As you know the founder of the first independent republic was Aram Manukyan and I was his namesake. Actually, we continued the activity of the first republic (1918 -1920)," says Aram Manukyan.
In 1990 Aram Manukyan was 33 years old. "I was very excited and trembled all over. But the excitement dashed away after I had read the first four lines."
Two years ago the text of Declaration read out on August 23, 1990 was stolen from Manukyan's car. So far, the police have been unable to return the extract.
