YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Following a Tuesday meeting with Russian Ambassador Andrei Ournov–ARF member Edward Hovanessian discussed with journalists their discussion regarding Russia’s stance toward Hovanessian during the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s ban from Armenia.
Hovanessian reported that he explained to the Ambassador how two years ago Hovanessian was not permitted to enter Moscow–where he lived and worked as president of the Russian-Armenian Cooperation Fund. According to Hovanessian–following a trip–upon return to Moscow–a military official approached him at the airport and presented him with a paper declaring the Russian Foreign Minister’s disapproval of Hovanessian entrance to Moscow.
Not even being allowed to meet with those present to greet him at the airport–Hovanessian was forced to board an airplane headed for Germany. Hovanessian remembered that the Russian Embassy in Germany informed him that he was black listed by the Russian government.
Hovanessian shared with Ournov his opinion that Moscow’s treatment of him was a direct result of pressure from Armenia–as there was talk then of former Armenian president Levon Ter- Petrosyan planning his exile from Armenia. Hovanessian was reportedly viewed as a disrupter of Russian-Armenian relations.
Ambassador Ournov promised to reveal the true reasons for the Russian treatment to which Hovanessian was subjected. He said that he was unaware of the reasons–however would determine them shortly. Ournov said–if it was a matter of pressure from Armenia–then the issue would be solved more easily.
On Wednesday– Hovanessian was informed that he was free to travel to Russia. He considered this a victory in line with the permission offered to former ARF Bureau Chairman Hrair Maroukhian to reenter Armenia–as well as the ARF’s reinstatement in Armenia.
