YEREVAN—On Oct. 23, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) unveiled a detailed plan—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. These changes, it argued, were to ensure the pursuit of a national agenda.
Speaking at a press conference, ARF Supreme Council of Armenia chairman Armen Rustamian introduced the plan, which provides guidelines of dealing with issues as varied as the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict, genocide recognition, as well as 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 three realms: national, socio-economic, and political.
National priorities
The party emphasizes the importance of strategic principles aimed at resolving several issues of pan-national importance. They are: the Karabagh 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. Agreements by the Armenian side cannot compromise the will of the people of Karabagh as expressed in the declaration of independence in 1991 and the 2006 Nagorno-Karabagh Republic Constitutional referendum.
2. Karabagh, 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 the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic’s independence and national security.
3. International recognition of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic within the foreign policy agenda must be pursued.
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 on international norms and law, without preconditions, should be accepted as a natural starting point for negotiations. Armenia’s foreign policy should exercise mechanisms to oppose the anti-Armenian policies of Turkey and Azerbaijan.
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, including calling for autonomy.
Armenia, Karabagh, and the Armenian 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 the resettlement of Karabagh. 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 that 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 that 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;
public education based on national values and international standards;
creation of a market economy based on European standards
2. Establishing economic structure based on security, the enhancement of local production, trade incentives, and competition.
Political and societal priorities
The main objectives for the elimination of the plutocracy—oligarchy—in the country and stabilizing democracy are:
Structural and constitutional-legal reforms; an 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 its activities on the aforementioned program.
Those who articulate a vision for the Armenian nation with the plans to implement it; will receive the support of the electorate. I believe that the ARF has been very effective as a loyal opposition party in Armenia and the diaspora. The behavior of the government has enabled this opportunity.
Armenia needs a populist movement to reconnect the general population with its government.
This is a good start. State a vision for the nation. If our people continue to feel separated, then the
mistrust that ensues will dramaticallyslow the democratization of Armenia.
In this recent example of the protocol opposition, the ARF has attempted to give voices to those who have been silenced(or ignored). In the U.S.,I feel like the ARF was much more in tune with the feelings of the general public than the AAA. The ARF competes for mindshare in both the diaspora and Armenia. This has the potential of being a large unifying factor in their attempt to bring new focus to the political process. This type of check and balance is necessary for the maturation of the democratic system. This is an area where the diaspora can help Armenia; if the latter views it in the spirit of brotherly love and the former offers it in that manner. The ARF has a long history of defending the rights of the citizens. The organization was founded out of a need to provide hope and practical support. The schism in our community( political , church administration) causes many of us in the diaspora to judge a proposal within our community based on what group is proposing.
The stakes are much higher now. This is no longer an intra-community squabble. The future of our ancient nation is at stake. Let’s get vested in these historic events by educating ourselves and listening to each other.
I can’t believe that history does not repeat. Armenians were having almost the same situation in pre-Genocide period. Turks today are a little more tricky than in those days. If You change U.S. with UK, You will be able to develop an identical story. Switch the lights on!
jeshmarid@yahoo.com
In order ARF to win the minds and hearts of all Armenians, it must accept its mistakes. Dr. Armen Ayvazyan knows what they are. The united Armenia with united Armenians must be expressly declared by ARF. The status of liberated tereritories must also be stated.
Long Live United Armenia with United Armenians.
Papken Hartunian
Why not just simple recognize Karabakh? And then unite with Armenia. Who Armenia is waiting permission from? Azeris or Turks?
Any form of a regime change in Armenia today would set the country back a decade or two. As a matter if fact, such talk is treasonous. Learn to deal with the political reality at hand and make the best of what we have. Armenia’s political standing has not been this advantages in ages. The new geopolitical climate in the Caucasus is providing us a unique historic opportunity to finally break Armenia out of its political isolation and economic stagnation. Instead of acting like little obsessive children on a temper tantrum get intimately involved in our fledgling republic. This is the time to do so. Stop wasting your time and money chasing genocide recognition. What good is genocide recognition without the over-due reparations and the return of Western Armenia? The only way Turkey will pay reparations and return Western Armenia is when it is brought to its knees. I strongly suggest you people to concern yourselves with strengthening the Armenia state.
The ARF needs to understand that it is an extremely unpopular party in Armenia. In the last election, given the choice between Serge Sarkissian and Levon Ter-Petrosyan (picking betweent the two, many said, was essentially picking the lesser of two evils), the people of Armenia only gave 6% of their voice to Vahan Hovhanissian.
Their coalition with Robert Kocharian, Vahan Hovhanissian’s family ties with Serge Sarkissian, and their decision to essentially help the regime prop up a very fragile image of legitimacy (by blaming the protests on “outside forces,” joining the coalition, etc.) has made the ARF the second most hated political establishment in Armenia (the first being the current regime).
That is why today, what the ARF is doing is considered to be no more than an “immitation.” A plot designed by the government to split the opposition vote (remember Artur Baghdasarian last year — he ran a campaign of regime change on par with Levon and then suddenly decided to join Serge’s coalition during the much expected protests that followed). And almost everything done by the ARF points to this being so. Unlike all the other TV channels that posed a real and legitimate threat to the regime, Yerkir media has been free to criticize the regime — WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET (i.e. opposition to the protocols but not to the regime’s system of oligarchy and violence in and of itself). Are you really about to suggest that Serge has finally decided to allow free and fair media in Armenia? And all of these forums and discussions that the ARF has been holding have been held at government-affiliated, Serge-owned hotels. Look at Vahan’s last press conference — see all those stickers from oligarch-owned business? they wouldn’t be there unless somebody very powerful wanted it to be so. Tune in to any other REAL opposition party/organization’s press conference (whether it be Zhirair Sefelian or the HAK) — you essentially have only Jermuk and Bjni as being the only sponsors, both companies that either have foreign parent companies, or are themselves opposition affiliated.
And lastly, Hrant Markarian (the only Dashnak with any credibility in Armenia) was the first to break news of the regime change — and he, rightly so, said some REAL things — he talked about how the entire system itself has to go, how it has suffocated democracy, etc. Where is Hrant Markarian now? Ever since then, Vahan scurried to put out the fire Hrant had started (within hours, I might add) — he has taken the charge and Hrant has been a little too quite…look at pictures of Hrant at that last rally the ARF held…they say more than I can here.
It is sad that many in the Diaspora-ARF have been duped, not only by the regime, but Unger Vahan himself. Propping up a fake opposition is a great tactic that Robert Kocharian and Serge Sarkissian have been using to fend off any threat to their power. It’s a tactic Ataturk was famous for, by the way.
Whether you can realize what I’m saying has any truth to it — the fact that the people of Armenia clearly think so is a serious hurdle that the ARF has been unable to respond to with any effectiveness. I highly doubt Mr. 6% (who offered a similiar “Road Map” in the last election cycle) will be able to combat the protocols or Serge’s mafia without any support from the people.
http://hetq.am/en/society/boxoqi-akcia/ <–further proof. Disgusting and shameful.