FACT OF GENOCIDE NOT UP FOR DISCUSSION, SAYS ARF BUREAU

ARF Press Office
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Yerevan

"The Bureau is adamant that the fact of the Armenian genocide is not
a subject of discussion, and no high-ranking official representing
Armenia may have a different approach. Universal recognition of
the genocide is vital for the existence, security and future of our
people and statehood," said an announcement Tuesday issued by the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation after its first plenary session,
which ended Tuesday.

The announcement, which summarized the Bureau’s meeting conclusions,
also emphasized the imperative for the reorganization of the Diaspora
to become an important political and economic component for making
Armenia and Armenians a recognizable force. To this end, the Bureau
deemed the formation of a Diaspora Ministry as an important means
for entering a new, more enhanced, phase in our reality.

The Bureau also outlined the imperative for the ARF to become a more
active force in the domestic life of Armenia, given the internal and
external challenges facing Armenia and Armenians today. On the one
hand, the Bureau said the elevation and strengthening of Armenia’s
international reputation and on the other hand, the internal political,
socio-economic life required deep-rooted reforms.

A specific emphasis was placed on ensuring that the Karabakh question
remains on our national agenda as an imperative element of Armenia’s
existence.

The Bureau also determined the responsibilities of organizational
entities and ANC offices in relation to the garnering of international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and strengthening Armenia’s
statehood.

It also welcomed the recent election of the ARF representative on
the Executive Board of the Socialist International.

"For the ARF Bureau, the goals and responsibilities of its
international structure are the improving of the moral consciousness
in Armenia, the strengthening of democratic standards, the development
of social stability, the resolution of economic issues and ensuring
the unity of Armenia and Diaspora," said the ARF Bureau.