HMAYAK HOVHANNISIAN: MAYBE TYPE OF RESIGNATION CHOSEN BY NA SPEAKER IS ALSO CONSEQUENCE OF FEAR
Noyan Tapan
May 23 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The Parliament is obliged to
discuss issues connected with the National Assembly Speaker’s
resignation. Independent Deputy Hmayak Hovhannisian stated about it at
the May 22 sitting. “We have today entered a field of contradictions
which we are obliged to discuss as the Parliament is not a gathering
of noble ladies,” the Deputy mentioned. According to Hovhannisian,
the matter is that the elective head of the highest representative
body avoids to leave the post by touching upon the issue of his
confidence, but prefers to resign by the means of an application. He
considered strange the circumstance that estimating positively the
three-years joint activity with partners of the ruling coalition,
the NA Speaker mentions at the same time that a serios regress from
the way of democratic development took place.
“Expressing gratitude to each other, we do not fulfil at the same time
our obligation in front of the people, to arise all the sharp issues,”
the speaker mentioned. Touching upon the fact, that NA Speaker Artur
Baghdasarian points out in the context of reasoning his resignation
the atmosphere of all-embracing fear existing in the country, the
Deputy supposed that “maybe, the type of resignation chosen by him
was also a consequence of a fear.”
Hasmik Poghosian Appointed RA Minister Of Culture And Youth Issues
HASMIK POGHOSIAN APPOINTED RA MINISTER OF CULTURE AND YOUTH ISSUES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 23 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. By RA President Robert
Kocharian’s May 22 decree, Gevorg Gevorgian was discharged the post
of the RA Minister of Culture and Youth Issues. As Noyan Tapan was
informed by the RA President’s Press Office, by another decree,
Hasmik Poghosian was appointed on that post. Hasmik Poghosian was
born in 1960 in Yerevan. She left the Pushkin School in 1977. She
left the Sayat-Nova Music School with gold medal in 1974.
She studied at the Biology Department of the Yerevan State University
in 1977-1982, was offered graduade studentship in 1982-1985. She worked
as a Biology teacher at the Yerevan No182 school in 1985-1993. She
has worked since 1986 up today at the Armenian Union of Cultural
Cooperation with Foreign Countries as an Assistant, Senior Assistant,
Department Head, Responsible Secretray, Union Chairman’s First
Deputy. She was elected the Union Counci Chairwoman in 2005. She is
married, has two sons. She is non-partizan.
According To Victor Dallakian, There Is No Coalition Any More,And Ne
ACCORDING TO VICTOR DALLAKIAN, THERE IS NO COALITION ANY MORE, AND NEW MAJORITY MUST BE CREATED
Noyan Tapan
May 23 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The National Assembly Speaker’s
resignation may not be considered not to be an agenda issue of the
Parliament, and deputies have a right to touch upon that issue. Victor
Dallakian, the “Ardaroutiun” (Justice) faction Secretary stated
about it at the May 22 NA sitting, in responce to Tigran Torosian’s
persuasions to pass to discussion of the agenda issues. “Nobody has a
right to advise deputies and say that they do not speak in connection
with the agenda: I told you, isn’t the NA Speaker’s resignation
an issue of the agenda?,” Dallakian mentioned. According to him,
a serious event took place in the country which must be estimated
by deputies. Dallakian stated that today the coalition making the
parliamentary majority, which has 50-55 deputies, makes an attempt
“to re-form parliamentary works.” The “Ardaroutiun” faction Secretary
mentioned that there is no coalition any more, and there are two ways
in the created situation: dissolution of the Parliament and holding
of new parliamentary elections, or resignation of the Government and
formation of a new parliamentary majority.
Andranik Margarian: Cooperation With NATO Is One Of ImportantCompone
ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: COOPERATION WITH NATO IS ONE OF IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF MULTIFOLIATED SECURITY SYSTEM OF ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 23 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues relating
to implementation of the Individual Partnership Actions Plan of
Armenia with the NATO were discussed at the May 22 meeting of RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian with Robert Simmons, the NATO Secretary’s
General Special Representative for South Caucasian Issues. Observing
development of relations with the NATO within the framework of the
policy addressed to Armenia’s European integration, the Prime Minister
mentioned at the same time that the cooperation with the North Atlantic
Alliance is also one of important components of the multifoliated
security system of Armenia. Within that context, Andranik Margarian
attached importance to widening of Armenia’s political dialogue
with the NATO and reforms in the system of defence. The Government
head of Armenia assured that they will be implemented in parallel to
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, improvement of the general
security situation in the region and especially of the Armenian-Turkish
relations. The Prime Minister emphasized that by that cooperation,
Armenia has never contradicted different systems of security to
each other and has acted in the field of mutual benefit and mutual
interests. Presenting the process of activity of the Committee created
in November, 2004, by the RA Prime Minister’s decision to implement
the Individual Partnership Actions Plan with the NATO, Andranik
Margarian mentioned that after adopting the program on December 16,
2005, by the North Atlantic Alliance, it has already held three working
meetings. The Committee members prepared certificates concerning works
implemented after adoption of the IPAP, planned events and lists of
assistances necessary for their implementation were presented.
Robert Simmons, expressing satisfaction with the process of works
being implemented, emphasized that the NATO’s interest in the
successful implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan
with Armenia, especially from the viewpoint of great attention paid
by the alliance towards the South Caucasian region during the recent
years. He considered his appointment as well to be one of displays
of that attention and interest. The Actions Plan adopted in December,
according to Robert Simmons, was a big step forward of the cooperation
with Armenia and expresses Armenia’s interests, assisting reforms
in the military sphere and strengthening of democracy. Simmons
also emphasized that the NATO has always specially mentioned that
it welcomes widening of the Euroatlantic cooperation and does
not observe it as rivalry with other systems. He mentioned the
necessity of organizing soon a wide public awareness process to have
a right notion concerning NATO activity, goals. The NATO Secretary’s
General Speacial Representative thanked the RA Government’s head
for keeping the work of the interdepartmental commission in the
center of attention and for organizing works at a high level. He
spoke favourably about the Armenian Ambassador’s work in Brussels as
well. “Though the visit hasn’t finished yet, but I can say that the
results are rather impressing. A considerable progress was fixed in
the joint work during the last six months,” Robert Simmons mentioned,
emphasizing that this is a process, that continuous efforts must be
made to reach defined goals which, according to him, coincide with
program goals of Armenia with the EU. As Noyan Tapan was informed
by the Government’s Information and Public Relations Department,
the Prime Minister assured that Armenia will continue assisting all
efforts of the NATO which will be addressed to development of the
constructive dialogue, development of the regional cooperation among
the South Caucasian states. He assured that from now on the Government
of Armenia will follow with attention implementation of the Individual
Partnership Actions Plan as well as of aimed events presented within
that framework by interested ministries and departments, expecting
expert’s and technical assistance of the NATO international staff
and member countries as well in it.
Vram Gyulzadian: Being Part Of Authorities,OYK Was Able To Undertake
VRAM GYULZADIAN: BEING PART OF AUTHORITIES, OYK WAS ABLE TO UNDERTAKE AT PARLIAMENT ROLE OF OPPOSITION AS WELL
Noyan Tapan
May 23 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. During the last three years, the “Orinats
Yerkir” (Country of Law) party, being a part of the Government, was
able to undertake at the Parliament the role of the opposing force
as well. Vram Gyulzadian, a member of the “OYK” faction stated about
it at the May 22 sitting of the National Assembly. According to him,
“being an opposition does not mean only to abuse the country President
and Defence Minister.” He expressed his astonishment on the occasion
that opposing forces of the Parliament “gives a hostile reception”
to the “Orinats Yerkir” party’s becoming opposition. “It seems we
came to this field to remove them.” “We have stated many times that we
have our way and that we must go in that way, we do not want to hamper
anybody and we do not need anybody’s salvation,” the “OYK” faction’s
representative stated. Gurgen Arsenian, the Chairman of the United
Labour Party mentioned on the same day in the interview to journalists
that the United Labour Party has never been opposing one. According to
him, during the 2003 presidential elections, the United Labour Party,
having supported Robert Kocharian’s candidature, critisized at the
Parliament the coalition’s activity, considering that it does not
assist implementation of Kocharian’s pre-electoral promises.
The Subsequent Impediment Against Heritage Party
PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
7 Vazgen Sargsian Street
Yerevan 0010, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 58.08.77, 52.22.38
Fax: (+374 – 10) 54.38.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:
May 23, 2006
The Subsequent Impediment Against Heritage Party
Yerevan–On May 20, Heritage Party Chairman Raffi K. Hovannisian accompanied
by high-ranking party members was paying a visit to the Armavir region to
hold consultations with members of the party’s local divisions. At his first
stop, at Miasnikyan, it became apparent that the visit was being watched by
the local police department. Before the meeting, the law enforcement bodies
had questioned Heritage Party’s local representative about the objective and
time of the visit, about the members of the visiting delegation, and had
insisted that they be informed as soon as the delegation arrived.
The meeting at Miasnikian was not over when word came from the town of
Armavir. There, party’s local staff member Levon Margarian was taken into
custody. He was told that the local law enforcement body knew about the
forthcoming visit of Raffi Hovannisian and the other senior party members.
The police demanded that he make sure that the meeting did not take place
otherwise they would use force to disrupt it.
Upon arrival at Armavir, the Heritage Party leadership saw the local police
units standing on the sidewalk across the party’s regional division
headquarters. It was apparent that they were called to intimidate and ensure
that the meeting did not take place. This notwithstanding, the get-together
between the party leadership and local residents did take place. Afterward,
Raffi Hovannisian went to the local police precinct and informed of his wish
to meet with the district police chief, Colonel Gevorgian. Initially, he was
told that this would be arranged in 15 minutes, but later he was informed
that Gevorgian had convened an urgent meeting and could not meet him. Talks
with the deputy police chief or any other person in command were also ruled
out under the same pretext. Subsequently, the request for a formal
explanation was submitted to the officer on duty, Lieutenant Melkonian.
It is clear that all this was centrally orchestrated. On May 22, the
executive board of the Heritage Party forwarded a letter to Armenia’s Police
Chief Haik Harutiunian requesting him to give an explanation and assessment
of these unlawful and unconstitutional acts.
Throughout his visits Raffi K. Hovannisian was accompanied by chairman
Hovsep Khurshudian of the Heritage Party’s Regulatory Commission, board
member Gevorg Kalenchian, and political secretary Vardan Khachatrian. In Mr.
Khachatrian’s words, the party members expect that “the police uncover the
architects of this illegal act and give a legal evaluation of what took
place.”
Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the land. Its
central headquarters are located at 7 Vazgen Sargsian Street, Yerevan
375010, Armenia, with telephone contact at (374-10) 580.877, fax at (374-10)
543.897, and email at [email protected]
F18News: Turkmenistan – Demolition of places of worship continues
FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one’s belief or religion
The right to join together and express one’s belief
========================================== ======
Tuesday 23 May 2006
TURKMENISTAN: DEMOLITION OF PLACES OF WORSHIP CONTINUES
In large-scale demolition projects in Turkmenistan, those expelled from
their home get no compensation and often nowhere to live. Amongst the
buildings demolished are religious communities’ places of worship. The
last surviving pre-revolutionary Armenian Apostolic church and a
family-owned Sunni mosque in the eastern port of Turkmenbashi have been
destroyed, Forum 18 News Service has been told. Exiled human rights
activist Vyacheslav Mamedov told Forum 18 that the mosque “was used on
Muslim festivals and for family events like weddings, funerals and sadakas
[commemorations of the dead].” The former Armenian church “was a very
beautiful building,” Mamedov recalled. He told Forum 18 that there is
widespread anger and fear over the destruction of the town’s historic
centre. Amongst places of worship in Turkmenistan, known to Forum 18 to
have been demolished in the past, are mosques, an Adventist church, and a
Hare Krishna temple.
TURKMENISTAN: DEMOLITION OF PLACES OF WORSHIP CONTINUES
By Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service <;
The demolition of historic 19th century buildings in the central part of
the Caspian port town of Turkmenbashi [Türkmenbashy, formerly
Krasnovodsk], including the last surviving pre-revolutionary Armenian
Apostolic Church in Turkmenistan, has been completed this month on the
orders of President Saparmurat Niyazov. The authorities completed
demolition of the church in February 2005, having previously refused to
hand it back to the local Armenian community for worship.
The Armenian embassy in the capital Ashgabad [Ashgabat] confirmed to Forum
18 News Service that it had been informed about the destruction of the
historic church in Turkmenbashi, but the ambassador Aram Grigoryan was out
of the country on 22 May and unable to comment on the destruction. No-one
was available for immediate comment at the Armenian Foreign Ministry in
Yerevan on 22 May, or at the headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church
in Echmiadzin near the Armenian capital.
Also demolished amid the wholesale destruction of the century-old heart of
Turkmenbashi, which began in 2004, was a family-owned Sunni Muslim mosque.
Human rights activist Vyacheslav Mamedov told Forum 18 on 22 May that the
local Etrekov family started building the mosque on their own land, near
the Turkmenbashi Hotel, in 1993 and began using it for prayers in 2001 as
it neared completion. "Until its demolition in July 2005, it was used on
Muslim festivals and for family events like weddings, funerals and sadakas
[commemorations of the dead]," Mamedov told Forum 18. He himself left
Turkmenbashi in 2004, as the campaign was beginning, and is now a refugee
in western Europe.
The former Armenian church, built a century ago and consecrated by the
then Catholicos (head of the Armenian Apostolic Church) in 1904, was
confiscated by the Soviet authorities and turned into a warehouse. In
1993, Mamedov - as a local journalist and human rights activist - had
supported attempts by the local Armenian community to form a cultural and
religious centre in the town and regain possession of the church. He said
the authorities consistently refused to register the community or allow it
to function. "It was a very beautiful building," Mamedov recalls. "When we
were trying to get it back in 1993, I remember looking inside and it was
just used as a store for the local administration's old furniture and car
parts."
Mamedov - who has obtained a copy of a secret local administration order
from November 2005 detailing which streets are to be destroyed - said
there is widespread anger and fear in Turkmenbashi over the destruction of
the town's historic centre, reactions confirmed by the exile Turkmenistan
Helsinki Foundation. But Mamedov said the town's main Sunni Muslim mosque
and the Russian Orthodox church are located close together in the newer
parts of the town and are not in immediate danger of demolition.
In massive construction redevelopments in Ashgabad and elsewhere in
Turkmenistan, those expelled from their homes ahead of demolition get no
compensation and often nowhere else to live. Among places of worship
bulldozed in Ashgabad was the Seventh-day Adventist church, built in the
1990s and which was destroyed in 1999 at only one week's notice. The
authorities claimed the land was needed for a road-widening programme, but
for some years the site was derelict. The Adventists have never been given
any compensation and are not allowed to build a new church to replace the
one destroyed. Shortly before Ashgabad's Adventist Church was demolished,
in August 1999 a Hare Krishna temple outside the eastern town of Mary was
demolished.
A mosque was among buildings in an entire settlement, Darvasa in the
central Kara-Kum desert, which was destroyed in autumn 2004 after
President Niyazov flew over in a helicopter and regarded the settlement as
unattractive. Darvasa's mainly ethnic Uzbek residents were given just two
hours to leave. One visitor to the settlement before its destruction told
Forum 18 that the mosque had only just been completed when it was
destroyed.
Other mosques in Turkmenistan have also been destroyed, apparently in some
cases for failure to honour the President Niyazov's books of alleged
"spiritual writings" (see F18News 4 January 2005
< e_id=481> and 19 November 2003
< e_id=187>). (END)
For a personal commentary by a Protestant within Turkmenistan, on the
fiction – despite government claims – of religious freedom in the country,
and how religious communities and the international community should
respond to this, see < 728>
For more background, see Forum 18’s Turkmenistan religious freedom survey
at < 672>
A printer-friendly map of Turkmenistan is available at
< s/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=turkme& gt;
(END)
© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved. ISSN 1504-2855
You may reproduce or quote this article provided that credit is given to
F18News
Past and current Forum 18 information can be found at
ATP Breathes Life Into Environmental Education in Armenia
Armenia Tree Project
57/5 Arshakunyats Street
Yerevan, Armenia 0026
Tel: (37410) 44-74-01
Web:
Armenia Tree Project
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Tel: (617) 926-TREE
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
May 23, 2006
ATP Breathes Life Into Environmental Education in Armenia by Organizing
Training for Teachers and Tree-Planting Guidance for Communities
YEREVAN–After publishing its environmental education curriculum, `Plant an
Idea, Plant a Tree,’ for public school students, Armenia Tree Project (ATP)
sponsored a special teacher training course on April 25-29 to explain how to
use the teacher’s manual.
A total of 16 teachers from Yerevan and the regions of Syunik, Lori, and
Kotayk participated in the `Training of Trainers,’ organized by Dr. Gayane
Ghukasyan, ATP Environmental Education Program Manager.
In his welcoming speech, ATP Director of Operations Vache Kirakosyan
emphasized the importance of teaching the environmental education curriculum
in local schools, and thanked all attendees for participating with ATP.
`Your cooperation is very important to increase the awareness of
environmental issues, specifically among Armenia’s youth,’ he stated. `As a
result of our work together, we may reap fruit in the very near future. The
assistance received from such motivated and devoted educators as yourselves
is another step toward improving the ecological situation in our country.’
All lessons were based on the contents of ATP’s environmental education
curriculum, which is available online at
The lessons were designed for
students in grades 4-9 in more than 1,400 schools throughout Armenia.
The workshop was also attended by Artashes Torosyan and Marine Aghajanyan
from the Ministry of Education and Science, Amalia Poghosyan from the
Armenia Social Investment Fund, and ATP supporter Joseph Matossian of
California.
The honored guests expressed their appreciation and admiration to the
teachers and the presenters. Artashes Torosyan expressed his confidence in
the preparation of the teachers, who will be going on from the workshop to
conduct similar training for their colleagues.
Vache Kirakosyan presented `Certificates of Participation’ to each of the
trainees, thanking them for their input and enthusiasm during the workshop.
Anonymous evaluation sheets revealed that the participants were very pleased
with the content and process of the training.
`It would be an honor for me to continue collaborating with the ATP
Environmental Education Program, as I feel this gives me an overall
understanding of a new methodology along with practical advice which I will
definitely apply in my teaching activity,’ wrote one teacher in the
evaluation. Another teacher believed the program should be expanded to the
governmental level under the slogan `Our Planet Belongs to Us.’
In addition to the environmental education training course, ATP’s Spring
tree planting campaign was accompanied by trainings organized by the
Community Tree Planting (CTP) Program at 19 sites all over Armenia. A total
of 1,334 community residents participated in the ATP trainings.
To ensure a high survival rate of trees at sites, ATP created guidelines on
tree planting and care. Prior to planting, CTP staff distributed the
information to local residents and trained them on topics such as the
special care different varieties of trees require, proper depth for planting
new seedlings, how often to irrigate seedlings, and how to monitor the
growth of the trees.
According to ATP site monitor Seyran Honhannisyan, `I was astonished to see
the children so well acquainted with planting techniques. Our training
allowed the children to get not only theoretical but also practical
knowledge. While putting seedlings in the soil, they were asking us great
questions regarding insects, plant diseases, and applicable pesticides, so
we had an opportunity to educate them even further on tree care.’
PHOTO CAPTIONS
1. (EE training.jpg) Armenia Tree Project organized a training course to
show teachers from Syunik, Lori, Kotayk, and Yerevan how to use its new
environmental education curriculum
2. (Kurtan village.jpg) Armenia Tree Project staff organized a training and
tree planting with the kindergarten class at Kurtan village
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Eastern Prelacy: Crossroads E-Newsletter – Special Ed. – 05/23/2006
PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
SPECIAL ISSUE OF CROSSROADS
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN CHOLOYAN RE-ELECTED
BY ACCLAMATION AT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America, was re-elected to a third four-year term by
acclamation at the National Representative Assembly which took place at Sts.
Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, last week. The election of the
Prelate took place on Friday, May 19. Following the election, the clergy,
delegates and guests escorted His Eminence into the sanctuary of Sts.
Vartanantz Church where a special service of thanksgiving took place.
Earlier His Eminence expressed his thanks for the confidence shown in
his leadership and thanked the delegates for their unanimous support. He
pledged to guide the Eastern Prelacy during the next four years to greater
horizons and growth. “There is much work to be done,” he said, “work that we
must do together for the greater glory of our beloved church and nation.”
Elected to serve on the Religious Council was Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian,
pastor of St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York. Re-elected to serve on
the Executive Council were: Dr. Dertad Manguikian, Steve Hagopian, Michael
Hagopian, and Hagop Khatchadourian. In its first meeting the Councils
elected the following officers: Religious Council: Rev. Fr. Nerses
Manoogian, pastor of St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
chairman; Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, secretary; Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian,
pastor of St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, advisor.
Executive Council: Jack Mardoian, chairman; Michael Hagopian, vice chairman;
Steve Hagopian, secretary; Bedros Givelekian, treasurer; Dr. Dertad
Manguikian, Noubar Megerian, and Hagop Khatchadourian, advisors.
The Assembly, which convened from May 16 to 19, came to a conclusion
with a banquet Friday evening at the Hilton of Fort Lee, New Jersey. Besides
the sessions with full agendas, the delegates and guests had the opportunity
to attend two book presentations, as well as visits to St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, the Prelacy offices, and the Hovnanian School.
The Executive Council expresses its hearty congratulations to the
Prelate and pledges to work with him during the coming years with renewed
dedication under his visionary leadership and direction.
REGULAR WEEKLY ISSUE OF CROSSROADS
WILL BE SENT THURDAY, MAY 25
This electronic newsletter is sent to you by the Eastern Prelacy. If you do
not wish to receive future issues send an e-mail message with your name and
your full e-mail address to [email protected].
If you have family or friends who would like to receive our electronic
newsletter please send their names and e-mail addresses to
[email protected]
Visit our website at
Man to be charged in hit-run
Man to be charged in hit-run
11 were hurt Sunday at Southfield church; police find no link between
Troy man and group members
The Detroit News
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
By Mike Martindale
SOUTHFIELD — A Troy man expected to be charged today in a weekend
hit-and-run incident that injured 11 people apparently has no links or
ties to the group, police said.
Police say a 1994 Plymouth Voyager drove into a crowd behind Alex
Manoogian School at St. John’s Armenian Church around 2 p.m. Sunday.
Four adults and seven children were injured as they tried to scramble
out of the way of the vehicle, which witnesses said accelerated toward
the group and plowed through three inflatable Moonwalk children’s
events, then sped away.
The suspect was arrested at his home in Troy.
“We have been unable to establish any link between him or anyone that
was attending the event,” said Southfield Police Detective Sgt. John
Harris. “From interviews with him, officers could find no reason for him
to target them.”
Harris noted two individuals, a 42-year-old Allen Park man and a
32-year-old West Bloomfield man, jumped on the vehicle in an effort to
get to the driver or the vehicle’s keys.
“The Allen Park man injured his right hand attempting to break out a
window,” said Harris, adding the man was dragged nearly 70 feet before
he was either thrown or fell from the Voyager.
The names of those taken to area hospitals were not released by police,
and the extent of their injuries were unknown. No one had
life-threatening injuries, and most of the victims were treated and
released.
Among them: a 35-year-old Farmington Hills woman who suffered a broken
pelvis while holding her 3-year-old son; a 41-year-old Farmington Hills
woman who fractured an ankle; a 13-year-old Waterford girl (right knee);
8-year-old Oak Park girl (ankle); 9-year-old Southfield girl (arm);
8-year-old Hamtramck boy (scrapes, bruises); 10-year-old Oak Park boy
(stomach pain); 7-year-old boy (ankle); 6-year-old girl (leg).
You can reach Mike Martindale at (248) 647-7226 or [email protected].
pps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060523/METRO02/6052303 46/1009