YEREVAN (Armenpress)–The first President of Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR) Arthur Mkrtchian was honored on Thursday during a ceremony marking the 13th anniversary of his untimely death.
Organized by the ARF Nigol Aghbalian student organization–the commemoration took place at Yerevan State University–and included a book presentation by Ashot Poghosian–who has written on the life and activities of the beloved president.
Recalling Mkrtchian’s dedication–General Arkadi Ter-Tadevosian–a decorated field commander during the Karabagh war–said the Armenian Revolutionary Federation joined Mkrtchian and other devoted people during the war of liberation. "We were not defeated then–and will never be defeated because there still exist people such as Arthur Mkrtchian."
The head of MKR Parliament’s Foreign Relations Commission Levon Melik spoke in details about Mkrtchian’s patriotic–political direction–and struggle for the survival of Karabagh and the entire Armenian nation.
Mkrtchian–an ARF member–was elected president of the MKR’s first Supreme Council on Jan. 7–1992 at the age of 33.
He played a crucial role in creating the independent state of Karabagh–used his superior diplomatic skills–along with the support of a strong army and the unwavering dedication of the people–to assist Karabagh’s struggle for self-determination and self-rule.
He died on April 14–1992.