ARF DECLARATION OVER FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

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[07:17 pm] 17 September, 2007

YEREVAN (YERKIR) The 11th convention of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, conducted in Stepanakert, adopted a declaration on
September 17 over the presidential election.

Below is the text of the declaration.

The forthcoming presidential election has an exclusive significance in
meeting the challenges the Republic of Armenia and Armenians are facing
as well as in dealing with state, public and national issues. The
election will create new opportunities for establishing balanced
authorities that would be able to correct and guide the strategy
of the country’s further development, maintain the spirit and the
goals of the constitutional reforms by implementing them in full,
and carry out system and fundamental reforms, ensuring solidarity
and security of the society.

The 11th supreme convention of the ARF Armenia Organization, taking
into account that:

-the slow pace of the national-state course — endorsed by the party
— and deep and comprehensive democratic reforms have set up grounds
for denying the national course;

-people’s growing alienation and disappointment of the authorities,
political forces and elections are seriously endangering the prospect
of country’s progress;

-the continuing integration of economy and politics have resulted
in enormous plutocracy and corruption and have set up conditions for
identification of the authorities and the government as being the same

Being confident that

-a fair and peaceful settlement to Nagorno Karabakh issue is possible
only by ensuring a speedy progress of the country;

-neutralize external and internal threats by directing the potential
of all Armenians towards resolving national issues and problems;

-it is possible to reach an effective governance though implementation
of progressive mechanisms of checks and balances, accountability of
the authorities and transparency;

-a real democracy is impossible without legal equality and respect
for human rights;

-economic freedom is impossible without fair competition;

-real election is only possible by putting forward alternative
solutions and programs and serious political discussions;

Resolves

-To nominate the party’s own candidate in the Republic of Armenia
presidential candidate;

-To carry out the nomination in two phases, calling an extraordinary
convention of the ARF Armenia Organization in November;

-The convention, crystallizing the organization’s views and taking
into account the opinions of the people and supporters will choose
between Vahan Hovhannisian and Armen Rustamian.