ARF in the coalition

[AlphaPapa]

I've read many commentaries that mentioned how they're not really 'opposing' the current government and still a part of the ruling coalition and I wasn't really sure if it was a warranted claim or not, until I read this:

PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Karabakh issue was not discussed at the meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijani MPs, Vahan Hovhannisyan , head of the ARF parliamentary faction told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

According to him, the Armenian side refused to discuss this issue without the participation of the Karabakh side. "The meeting was very constructive. Mostly humanitarian issues have been discussed, as well as the possibility of cooperation in various sectors: health and culture, inter-parliamentary collaboration, " Vahan Hovhannisyan said.

According to him, Armenia and Azerbaijan are two sovereign states, having besides the Karabakh conflict, many problems to be solved. "Azerbaijan has always insisted that as long as the Karabakh conflict is not resolved, there will be no dialogue between the countries, but we stick to the opposite view," Vahan Hovhannisyan said, adding that the parties will be able to get rid of the artificially created image of the enemy through dialogue.

So the question for ARF / AYF members, what's the deal? I've always respected the ARF for being strong and uncompromising with their demands and claims but it seems ever since Kogh-char-yan that they're a part of the ruling elite in Yerevan and only speak harshly. As strong as they are in the diaspora, and as strong as their claims are, I would expect them to be more of a leader and apart from those who have the Soviet mentality of appeasement (towards foreign influence and concessions towards turks).

Also, why not work with LTP temporarily to fight against the protocols? Despite the bad history, we should be able to put aside inter-Armenian politics when the wolves are at our front doors (despite our national tradition of doing the opposite).

[Armanen]

Re: ARF in the coalition

ltp is not really against the protocols, he just said he was but did not take any actions. His group, the anc, didn't even ask people to protest against the protocols like the Heritage party and ARF did.

[AlphaPapa]

Re: ARF in the coalition

True but the ARF could have called their bluff and asked them to join.

You bring up a good point actually, which was what I was indirectly trying to make. In Yerevan, we don't have any actual 'opposition' forces. It very much mimics Moscow, and for the same reasons.

The reason I'm calling out the ARF (in this discussion) is because of my high regard for them, and their consistently patriotic statements.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: ARF in the coalition

...their consistently patriotic statements.

Talk is cheap. But the trappings of power, even if only got through a coalition, are expensive.

[AlphaPapa]

Re: ARF in the coalition

Absolutely, talk is cheap...and what I'm suggesting is holding them accountable to the bar they raised.

[Catharsis]

Re: ARF in the coalition

Absolutely, talk is cheap...and what I'm suggesting is holding them accountable to the bar they raised.

Today the ARF made a declaration on behalf of the National Front. Mobilization is taking place, but still there are some strings that bind some in the ARF to the "coalition," as the oligarchy has its people in the ranks of all parties. But thanks to more pressure from Diasporan members of the party they had to take more concrete steps.

I am for, action, before ratification takes place because inside sources tell that the ratification (very sadly) will go through (and we will be stuck with this - very hard to get rid of - legally binding international document) as the "button pushers" will vote their pocket (even this is not so, since the Turks will robe them of this as well) and not their conscious.

ARF Unveils Roadmap to Regime Change in Armenia

YEREVAN—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation unveiled on Friday a detailed plan, which it called a “roadmap to regime change”, saying that for Armenia to persevere and survive, fundamental changes are needed to its socio-economic, political, and governmental structures to ensure the pursuit of a national agenda.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, ARF Supreme Council of Armenia chairman Armen Rustamian introduced the plan, which provides guidelines of dealing with issues as varied as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Genocide recognition and reforms in social, electoral and economic structures.

“We are preparing for regime change,” declared Rustamian. “Regime change has a broader meaning than a resignation demand. The country has deviated from its course and everything must be changed: the president, the National Assembly, the government and all those who deal with the Turkish-Armenian protocols.”

Taking into consideration the imperative to confront the foreign and domestic challenges and dangers that have arisen as a result of the current situation, the ARF Supreme Council of
Armenia has come forth with this blueprint as priorities for its political agenda.

The plan addresses reforms and fundamental changes in the three realms: national, socio-economic and political.

National Priorities

In the national realm, the party is emphasizing the importance of strategic principles aimed at resolving several issues of pan-national importance. They are: the Karabakh issue, Armenia-Turkey relations, Javakhk’s plight, Diaspora relations, and the general demands and guidelines for the realization of Armenia’s foreign policy.

It is the ARF’s belief that the approach to the conflict with Armenia should be based on the following principles:

1. Compromises by the Armenian side (Armenia-Karabakh) cannot retreat from the will of the people of Karabakh as expressed in the declaration of independence in 1991 and the 2006 Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Constitutional referendum.

2. Karabakh, as the main and sole party to the conflict, must be recognized as an equal party to the negotiations, while Armenia must be recognized and be viewed as the guarantor of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s independence and national security.

3. Strengthen and pursue the international recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic within the foreign policy agenda.

The prerequisites for normalizing relations with Turkey should be based on its willingness to recognize the Armenian Genocide and make reparations for the crime. The only compromise should be the start of negotiations without any preconditions.

1. The end to the land blockade and the establishment of diplomatic relations based international norms and law, without preconditions, should be accepted as a natural starting point for negotiations. Armenia’s foreign policy should exercise imperative mechanisms to oppose the Turkish-Azeri anti-Armenian policies.

2. The ARF’s Armenia body finds completely justified the aspirations of the Armenian population of Javakhk to press for their rights constituted by international requirements accepted by Georgia, all the way to calling for autonomy.

Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora are a collective organism of a united Armenian nation. Thus, advantageous conditions should be created for the realization of dual citizenship, repatriation and programs for resettlement of Karabakh. One of the priorities of the party is the development of a foreign policy doctrine based on strengthening the security and self-government of Armenians.

Socio-Economic Priorities

The ARF’s conviction is domestic stability is based on social justice and freedom. As such, the government’s role as an initiator and administrator must be reorganized through the establishment of a social government, which guarantees the creation and just distribution of wealth. The following are the main targets:

1. Taking responsibility for and executing the government’s social requirements based on relevant international agreements; especially:

* Elimination of poverty
* Creation of a public housing fund
* Establishment of structures to ensure and promote continuous childbirth
* Radical reforms in healthcare
* Guarantee public education based on national values and international standards
* Creation of a market economy based on average European standards

2. Establishing economic structure based on security, enhancement of local production, trade incentives and competition.

Political-Societal Priorities

The main objectives for the elimination of plutocracy—oligarchy—in the country and stabilizing democracy are:

Structural and constitutional-legal reforms; advantageous climate for democratization; and the creation of a political and electoral infrastructure that guarantees the active participation of opposition.

The ARF of Armenia will base all of its activities on the aforementioned program

[AlphaPapa]

Re: ARF in the coalition

Looks like we still have two ARFs (similar to the Levon presidency)

http://www.a1plus.am/en/politics/2009/10/23/armen-rustamyan

Either that, or more usual political double-talk.

Member of ARF Dashnaktsutiun's Supreme Body Armen Rustamian finds the Party's calls for Serzh Sargsyan's resignation pointless at present.

"The time for resignation matures when one is ready to demit office," says Mr. Rustamian.

"Does it mean you are preparing Serzh Sargsyan's resignation?"

In reply to A1+, Mr. Rustamian said: "Surely, we are "preparing." The change in power is not restricted to the President's resignation. All people having connection with the Armenian-Turkish Protocols including the president, the parliament and the government must resign."

The ARFD member reminded that there are four types of President's step-down - resignation, death, insuperable obstacles and impeachment.

Regarding the Armenian-Turkish Protocols, Mr. Rustamian noted that Turkey faces no problems in this respect. "Turkey settled its problems long ago and is now engaged in Azerbaijan's problems."

To the authorities' statements that the Foreign Ministers signed the Protocols willingly without any pressure, Mr. Rustamian said: "The people binding the documents to us stood behind the Foreign Ministers during the signing ceremony."

The ARFD representative says Armenia's political forces are unanimous in this view regardless of all differences between them.

The ARF Dashnaktsutiun will do its best to annul the Protocols even if they are ratified by the Armenian Parliament. "At that moment we shall demand the President's resignation since his administration cannot invalidate the documents."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFahqKYuIwo