YEREVAN (arfd.info)—President Serge Sarkisian on Nov. 8 rejected two key elements of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s (ARF) seven-point elections platform following a lengthy meeting with the party’s Bureau chairman, Hrant Markarian, and Supreme Council of Armenia representative Armen Rustamian.
Markarian told the press that Sarkisian had rejected the ARF’s proposal to adopt a parliamentary form of government, as well as the party’s insistence that Armenia withdraw its signature from the Turkey-Armenia protocols. Markarian explained that Sarkisian was firm in his belief that the government is on the right path vis-à-vis the protocols, and that the system of governance was not the problem.
“Was the meeting with the president useless?” said Markarian. “If we look at it only in a purely functional way, then probably yes. But it also made sense because our arguments and views might influence his thinking.”
“If that happens, we will be grateful. If not, we will have no regrets that we did not try,” he told journalists.
Markarian explained that the meeting was scheduled and was among a series of meetings ARF leaders were having with political actors in Armenia ahead of the presidential elections in February.
ARF needs to grow up and realize that the world is not Camp Nubar.
Has it presented an alternative plan to open the border with Turkey? Does it want the border open, or would it rather continue to live in a maximalist self-righteous fantasyland?
Sargsyan is a thug and this indictment of the ARF does not constitute an endorsement for him.
I had great hope that the Syrian-Armenians moving to Armenia could have a positive impact on Hayastani society but unfortunately that will not come true. It is sad that the poor Syrian Armenians have been very disappointing about going to Armenia and some have opted to go back to Syria. It is quite interesting that the Iraqi-Armenians adapted very well to Armenia when many of them moved do Armenia during Gulf War II. The Iraqi-Armenians came from a corrupt Iraqi society and the corruption in Armenia did not surprise them very much and they were able to adapt to it effectively. Iraqi Armenians and Russian-Armenians have alot in common.
Peter,
Was/is Syria corruption free country? Syria is actually behind Armenia if you believe in those estimations. The reason why Syrian-Armenians do not like to stay in Armenia is the high prices compare to Syria and lack of employment. I cannot image how a family can go back to Syria from Armenia unless they had financial difficulties in Armenia. No corruption can compare with the situation in Syria. Not only Armenian government should do a better job (they did help many Syrian Armenians though) but the Diaspora. Armenia has very limited resources, but Diaspora can help them to settle in Armenia.