Newly-elected SB speaks of its priorities

Editorial
Yerkir/arm
November 05, 2004    

Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s (ARF) Armenia Supreme Body (SB)
representative Armen Rustamian, and SB member and National Assembly’s
ARF faction leader Levon Mkrtchian held a news conference on Wednesday,
following the ARF Armenia organization’s 8th Supreme Convention,
held last weekend.

Rustamian noted that the convention was unique since it was the first
time the ARF was a part of the government.

The convention pointed out that a large part of priorities included in
the ruling coalition’s memorandum has not been fulfilled, Rustamian
said, adding that coalition, however, was successful in easing the
political tension following the elections, and strengthening the
stability in the country.

Rustamian also said the convention was not satisfied with the pace
of anti-corruption measures of the government.

Rustamian underscored that “making the national course irreversible”
will be the pivotal goal for the newly-elected Supreme Body. “We have
continuously stated that since 1998 the course of the country has been
changed, but we need serious steps to make that course irreversible,”
he said.

“To reach that goal we have decided to continue our presence in the
coalition government.” He, however, added that his party “reserves
the right to review its presence in the coalition government if the
objectives and the conditions of the coalition, set in the memorandum,
are violated.”

As regards the Karabakh conflict, the convention has underscored
the imperative of Karabakh’s full participation in the peace talks.
In respect of the Javakhk issue, the convention has stated that the
Javakhk Armenians are in dire socio-economic state which results in
growing exodus, Rustamian mentioned. The Armenian government should
work with the Georgian government to change the situation.

The convention has also considered the Armenian-Turkish relations,
concluding that Turkey is not ready for joining the European
Union. Turkey should firs admit to the Armenian Genocide, and maintain
neutrality in the Karabakh confrontation.

Touching upon the issue of sending Armenian troops to Iraq, Rustamian
said the convention has stated that Armenian government should be
guided by the UN resolutions, but meanwhile practice caution in order
to prevent Armenian communities of the Middle East from becoming
targets of international terrorism.

Concluding the news conference, Rustamian said the convention also
has discussed the relations between the government and the opposition,
as well as issues related to the reforms of the constitution and the
Electoral Code.

Regarding the latter, Rustamian pointed out that the ARF may consider
its further presence in the coalition in case the EC is not changed
to increase the portion of National Assembly members elected under
party lists.

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