ARF Will Actively Fight Protocols, Says Markarian

YEREVAN—Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau chairman Hrant Markarian said in a press briefing on Sept. 8 that his party will actively fight the protocols announced last week on establishing and developing relations between Armenia and Turkey, Yerkir reported.

With the draft protocols, “we are actually giving up the right for our future generations to fight for their rights,” Markarian said. “We are calling into question the veracity of the Armenian Genocide—a matter of national security for Armenia and a matter of dignity and justice for our nation.”

The ARF leader went on to criticize the provisions of the protocol, which mandate the recognition of Turkey’s territorial integrity, explaining that the protocols do not contain any provisions that address a people’s right to self-determination. He also pointed out that the territorial integrity provision is indirectly tied to the resolution of the Karabagh conflict.

If the protocols cannot be amended and “we are supposed to either say yes or no,” Markarian added, then the Armenian people—regardless of where they reside—should say an unequivocal “no” to the documents.

Markarian also commented on the call by the Heritage Party to hold a referendum on the protocols, saying that the poor track record of previous elections and referendums in Armenia would be reason enough to oppose such a call.

The ARF Bureau chairman said his party had formulated a package of amendments to the protocols, which will be publicized in the coming days. The party will also promote a concise modus operandi to fight the documents.

If the authorities ignore the public outrage over the protocols, Markarian said, they would effectively be “committing suicide.”

While not ruling out calls for the president’s resignation, Markarian explained that “the president, after all, is working with a professional team. The foreign minister is the key advisor in foreign policies. By demanding the foreign minister’s resignation, we are expressing our position. Demanding the resignation of the president should not be ruled out, we may get to that point some day,” he added.

Calling for national cooperation and unity in confronting this matter, Markarian said his party was willing to work with any force that intends to fight for Armenia’s national interests.