ARF BUREAU HOLDS PLENARY SESSION IN BEIRUT

Yerkir
04.12.2008 16:13

Yerevan (Yerkir) – The ARF-Dashnaktsutyun Bureau held its plenary
session in Beirut, Lebanon, during November 29-December 1.

The agenda included the approval of plans based on proposals-decisions
of previous plenary sessions, the evaluation of completed activities,
forthcoming organizational and public relations tasks, the discussion
of internal and external challenges facing Armenia.

The plenary session discussed the new situation in the South Caucasus,
the tasks to be undertaken by the party, its affiliate organizations
and the Armenian Cause offices in defending the statehood, and the
immediate steps to be taken regarding the Artsakh issue, the recent
developments in Armenian-Turkish relations, and the international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

It was reiterated that the final settlement of the Artsakh issue is
possible only through peaceful negotiation process, where the Republic
of Mountainous Karabakh is a negotiating party.

Considering that following the Moscow Declaration Azerbaijan has not
backed down from its warmongering rhetoric, it is extremely important
to continue keeping the issue on the pan-national agenda, as an issue
related to the existence and security of Armenia and the Armenian
people. For us, the basis of the negotiating process should be the
fact of self-determination by the people of Artsakh, expressed on two
occasions, through the 1991 independence and 2006 MKR constitutional
referendums. The mutual concession can only be equal, proportionate,
and concurrent and part of a comprehensive settlement package.

Reaffirming that as neighboring states Armenia and Turkey should
continue their efforts towards normalizing relations, it was stressed
that thus far Turkey has not taken any positive steps. On the contrary,
there are attempts to use the ongoing meetings as hindrance to
the genocide recognition process, and make the relationship of the
two states conditional to Armenia’s relations with a third state,
namely Azerbaijan.

In this context, it was appreciated that the highest authorities of our
country are in complete accord that the recognition and condemnation
of the Armenian Genocide in general, and by Turkey in particular,
is one of the strategic directions of Armenia’s foreign policy. On
the other hand, it was stressed, that the present importance of
regulating Armenia-Turkey relations should not be valued more than
the rights of generations to come.

Decisions were adopted regarding all the discussed issues, always
based on the party’s fundamental policy, that the foremost issue for
the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun is ensuring the independence, security and
utmost self-reliance of the Republic of Armenia.

ARF-Dashnaktsutyun Press Office Yerevan, 2 December 2008