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YEREVAN (ARF Press Service)—The Armenian Revolutionary
Federation concluded its 15th Supreme Assembly of Armenia on
Sunday with the election of a new ARF Supreme Council of Armenia
to govern the pan-national political parties operations in
Armenia for the next two years. The Assembly, which convened
Friday in Aghveran, issued a statement emphasizing the need for
regime change and highlighting the party’s priorities in
Armenia. The statement specifically stressed the need for the
restoration of national ideals within Armenia’s foreign policy,
the establishment of social justice, protection of civil rights
and the need to form a new government.
At
the conclusion, a nine-person council to oversee the party’s
operations in Armenia was elected comprised of the following:
Hayrapet Babayan, Arsen Hambardzumyan, Tatul Harutyunyan,
Michael Manukyan, Ara Nranian, Armen Rustamian, Spartak
Seyranian, Simon Simonian and Hrach Tadevosyan. Rustamian was
re-elected to chair the body.
During a press conference Monday, Rustamian emphasized that
regime change was the only way out of the current social and
political quagmire in Armenia. “We want to change the government
by means of elections. That is the way to go. Regime change
through uprising is always dangerous and harmful, especially
given that Armenia and the Armenians now face an unfinished
war,” said Rustamian.
He
also announced that during the next presidential elections the
ARF will nominate its own candidate. “If Armenians had elected [ARF
candidate] Vahan Hovhannesian president in 2008 we would be
living in a different Armenia now,” explained Rustamian.
“Obviously, the incumbent Armenian authorities are unable to
solve topical problems. The country needs a new regime, which
would be capable of resolving problems,” said Rustamian. In this
context, he said, the ARF is the only force capable of solving
existing problems. “The time comes when changing the ruling
regime becomes a matter of national security.”
Asked
why the ARF does not demand President Serzh Sarkisian’s
resignation if the party is dissatisfied with his policies,
Rustamian responded: “You are right. How long can we give the
president new chances? It is enough. We have closed our eyes to
too many things and given him many chances. They should not test
the ARF’s patience and prudence.”
The
ARF statement contains a long of list of socioeconomic and
political problems facing Armenia, including a culture of
electoral fraud, government abuse and widespread poverty.
“Today the state is not on the side of its citizens,” said
Rustamian. “Unfortunately, we have two types of states: One
caters to the interests of a minority—a privileged class—while
the other has abandoned its citizens.”
“Social discontent has never reached such a peak and the social
situation has never been so difficult. I hope that the
authorities realize this as well,” added Rustamian, who
predicted that if these conditions persist, a social uprising
could take place in the country.
The
ARF leader said that without necessary reforms, all future
elections will worsen the country’s already tenuous situation.
He said the inability of the people to form a power base through
free expression has caused the current impasse.
Rustamian also didn’t rule out early elections—both presidential
and parliamentary. “A force-majeure situation can always arise
in a country like ours, and any political force respecting
itself must always be prepared for such scenarios.”
“During elections the authorities themselves corrupt the people
and then they seek great achievements. It is impossible,”
explained Rustamian.
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