TRADITIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES ISSUE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT APRIL 24

Asbarez
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Feb 24th, 2010

YEREVAN-The governing bodies of the three traditional Armenian
political parties issued an announcement Wednesday regarding the
imperative to unite around the commemoration of the 95th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide and the critical issues of justice that
still confront the Armenian nation as it looks ahead to the crimes’
centennial.

Below is the translated text of the announcement by the Central
Executive of the Social Democratic Hunchakian Party, the Bureau of
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Central Executive of
the Armenian Democratic League (the Ramkavar-Azadagan party):

Announcement

April 24, 2010 marks the 95th anniversary of the Armenia Genocide.

The crime perpetrated against the Armenian people and humankind
by Turkey continues to have its ramifications. Justice has not yet
persevered.

For 95 years, the Armenian people, which have been deprived of their
homeland and been subjected to Genocide in their own historic country,
has been pursuing justice. On the long road of this struggle, our
people have been able to transform into an organized force by staying
true to national ideals, the homeland, its language and culture. The
opening of every school, church or center in an Armenian community
became a step toward our aspirations.

In the last decades, the Diaspora was able to come together around
the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reparations
for losses and the ideal of a homeland, and garnering many successes.

For the Armenians living in Armenia, the years of Soviet domination
also became a time for recognizing the importance of returning to
the homeland, self-determination and generational rights. For the
Armenians in Armenia this conviction was grounded in a road to victory
paved after Armenia’s declaration of independence.

After efforts to recognize the Armenian Genocide, which began in 1965,
came the Karabakh liberation movement, which, once and for all, proved
the unwavering strength of a unified Armenia and the imperative of
the Armenian Cause. The independent Republic of Armenia was created
as a result of a victorious liberation war and the appreciation of
our pan-national capabilities. The unprecedented victories of our
nation are a result of the collective efforts of the Armenian state
and the Armenian Diaspora.

Today, once again, our people are confronted with huge challenges. The
developments in the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations and a
quick resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are unprecedented.

Once again, efforts are underway to satisfy foreign interests at
the expense of our people’s unwavering aspirations and the rights
of future generations. Fortunately, the Armenian people understand
the veiled and apparent threats that are inherent in the protocols
signed by Armenia and Turkey. The freedom and independence won with
the blood of the heroic people of Artsakh is still being threatened. At
the same time, the Armenians of Javakhk are denied basic human rights.

We, the three pan-Armenian political parties, are convinced that only
through collective efforts, and calculated and decisive actions, can
we shape world opinion to take into consideration Armenian national
interests and respect for our rights. We are convinced that only
through collective efforts and everyday actions can we resolve our
pan-national issues-rights of the Armenians in Javakhk, independence
of Artsakh, the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide
and the strengthening of the Republic of Armenia. The true inclusion
of the Diaspora in Armenia’s state and political life can become a
critical conduit in fortifying our national unity.

This year is the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. We are soon
approaching the centennial of one of humanities biggest tragedies. The
struggle for international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
the pursuit of reparations not only has ramifications for civilized
human values but also for the security of the independent Armenian
homeland. The fact that the crime was unpunished is what allowed for
future repetitions of such crimes.

We are decisive and are confident that our just struggle is in the
stages of final victory. We call on the government of Armenia, all
political forces, all Diaspora organizations and all entities that are
concerned about the future of our people to come together and rally
around our pan-national concerns, to presented a strong united front
for the entire world, to take concrete steps for resolving the issues
facing Armenia, the Diaspora and the Armenian nation, to express our
collective political will, on the road to establishing our distinct
and dignified place in the world.

At this important crossroads in the Armenian reality, we condemn all
efforts that serve to diminish the will of the Armenian nation.

Today, many governments already have recognized the Armenian Genocide.

There is no other alternative. Only through the cooperation of all
facets of the Armenian nation and the strengthening of our independent
state will we achieve the world’s-and even Turkey’s-recognition of
our just cause.

This is the guarantee for a complete and secure future for the Republic
of Armenia and the Armenian nation.

Social Democratic Hunchakian Party Central Executive Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Bureau Armenian Democratic League (the
Ramkavar-Azadagan Central Executive