ARF DECLARATION OVER FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Support A1+!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.
Stepanakert
Nagorno Karabakh Republic
September 17, 2007
