Text of Dashnaks’ call for Armenian authorities, opposition to begin dialogue

Yerkir web site, Yerevan
5 Apr 04

One of the parties in the Armenian coalition government has called on
the authorities and opposition to begin dialogue. The Armenian
Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun said in a statement on 5
April that the country was on the verge of open conflict. It blamed
the situation on “the opposition’s intolerant and extreme position of
political disobedience through non-recognition of the authorities’
legitimacy, on one hand, and the authorities’ reluctance to fully
engage the opposition in the key issues of the country on the
other”. The Dashnaks said that dialogue should lead to agreement on
real reforms, primarily on an election system that meets international
standards, constitutional reform to enhance democracy and a
comprehensive fight against corruption, the black economy and the clan
system. The following is the text of the report in English, as
published by Armenian newspaper Yerkir web site on 5 April;
subheadings inserted editorially:

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun held a news
conference on Monday [5 April] and issued a statement over the
political developments in Armenia. The following is the full text of
the statement.

Authorities and opposition to blame for current tension

The political tension in the republic approaches to the dangerous line
of open confrontation. The further escalation of the situation may
result in destabilization of the country, distort the image of the
state and stop the normal pace of the country’s development. Public
resentment resulting from socio-economic problems are politically
exploited with an aim to reach a political crisis and swift change of
power.

The tactics of creating political turmoil and environment of
intolerance produces unacceptable internal political relations.

The opposition’s intolerant and extreme position of political
disobedience through non-recognition of the authorities’ legitimacy on
one hand, and the authorities’ reluctance to fully engage the
opposition in the key issues of the country on the other hand, lie in
the heart of the current political tension.

The real reasons for the existing resentment are low efficiency of
solving the problems and hard social conditions. The Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) completely recognizes and acknowledges
its share of responsibility in this issue.

Political agreement needed

Today, we are in front of the imperative to prevent possible
confrontation, and the best way is to reach a political agreement. The
agreement should be based on awareness and readiness to jointly solve
the fundamental issues of the people. Any agreement will be possible
if only there is a will to ensure the opposition’s engagement in
solving the issues and meeting each other halfway.

Taking into account the complexity of the relations in the internal
political life, as well as the degree of the divergence of positions,
we are offering a mechanism of reaching an agreement.

To discuss the possibility of reaching such an agreement, there should
be a dialogue without pursuing demands that are unacceptable for the
other side. Steps that would divide the society into friends and
enemies, and actions leading to clashes should be avoided.

A dialogue would be fruitful if the following principles are kept:

the dialogue should be legally based on the Armenian Constitution and
laws;

the actions of the sides should be strictly within the laws and
constitutional order;

both sides should moderate their positions;

There should be no winners and losers in the dialogue: either we all
win and ensure rapid and stable development of the country, or we all
lose and face devastating consequences of civil clash.

The intention to ensure real and guaranteed reforms in the country and
in people’s life should be the subject of the agreement. Following
priority issues should be included in the agreement:

an election system entirely meeting international standards should be
formed;

constitutional reforms to enhance democratic mechanisms should be
implemented;

a comprehensive fight against corruption, black economy and clan
system should be carried out.

To guarantee the efficiency of implementing the agreement, the
opposition’s participation should be ensured. It can be in form of the
opposition’s inclusion in the Security Council, in fight against
corruption, as well as making it possible to adopt constitutional and
election reforms through consensus, and other options and solutions
depending on the degree of the agreement.

It is necessary to use the remaining time efficiently for voluntary
concessions. Otherwise, the entire responsibility for future
confrontation will be laid on the side that missed the chance of
agreement. Further developments will force the political forces to
make concessions, anyway.

The political coalition should become the one in charge and the
guarantor of the dialogue and agreement.

The ARF strictly condemns any actions that might push the country to
unpredictable external and internal consequences, and firmly stands in
the positions of maintaining the law and constitutional order; it is
ready to back any constructive initiatives in favour of guaranteed
political reforms and political reconciliation.