YEREVAN—Delegates, leaders, and observers from around the world gathered at the Armenian government’s auditorium for the kick off of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s (ARF) 31st World Congress, which is the party’s highest decision-making assembly.
During the opening session of the World Congress, attended by representatives of different political parties and government officials, ARF Bureau Chairman Hrant Markarian gave a presentation assessing the state of the republic and the party.
In highlighting important events of the past three years, when the World Congress was last held, Markarian pointed to the inadequacies of the Armenian government in dealing with such significant issues as the Armenia-Turkey protocols, the global economic downturn, and the general socio-economic situation in Armenia.
His message that “the ARF is the party of the future” was also echoed in his discussion of the party’s approach to fundamental issues in Armenia and his explanation that the ARF is working to create an atmosphere whereby the leadership of the country will be that of the people.
Markarian said the party’s declaration that regime change in Armenia is imperative hinges on the active involvement of all facets of Armenian society.
I hope that the Armenian weekly will publish an expanded version of ARF Bureau Chairman Hrant Markarian’s presentation. The article was very brief and did not throw any light about the future strategic direction, or the priorities , of the ARF.
It is always easier, especially in hindsight to critisize the failures and shorcomings of the country’s government. More critical issue is the self assessment of ARF’s performance, and what will be the startegic goals and objectives for the future. In my view, the most glaring failure has been the popularity, or more accurately the lack of popularity of the ARF in Armenia. When the ARF garners less than 10% of the popular vote in any national election, it is painfully obvious that the ARF is doing something terribly wrong, and the message is not well received.
The question is what is it? What should the ARF do, or plan to do, to prove to the Armenian population in Armenia, I underline Armenia, that it is indeed the party of the future.
Vart Adjemian
Seems to me that Vart is on the mark. Twenty-five years ago the Communists had their glasnost and perestroika. In those days the ARF was stuck in its old shoes, to the extent that when Armenia was trying to lift itself out of the Soviet swamp (1988-1990) the ARF did not get on board with the movement. That failure can be attributed to Maroukhian and his cabal, who are still held up as heroes. The ARF too needs its glasnost and perestroika–better late than never.
Vart hit the nail on the head when he mentions the ARF’s less than 10% showing in the polls. Within Armenia, the ARF needs to gather around it people who have the “gravitas” to lead the nation. Right now I can only think of one such person in Armenia, and he is not affiliated with the ARF.
ARF/Armenia is not considered real opposition in Armenia. Many people in Armenia think it’s just a government accomplice. Being a part of Robik Kocharian’s former government reinforced this view.