“Authorities became looters”
On September 21, 2011, Armenia celebrates 20 years since the adoption of Declaration of Independence that marked the beginning of its formal secession from the Soviet Union.
Aram Manukyan, Chairman of the All-Armenian National Movement (HHSh), read out the text of the declaration during the August 23, 1990, sitting of the Supreme Council.
"It was a great honor for me to present the text of the declaration, whereby Armenia was declared an independent state. I was elated and delighted. At the same time I felt a great responsibility," Aram Manukyan told A1+.
It took another 13 months for the Armenians to complete the process of their independence from the Soviet Union. On September 21, 1991, Armenia held a formal referendum on independence, with 95% of eligible voters casting their ballots for the independence of Armenia.
The HHSh chairman says the Declaration of Independence was a divine moment, the most brilliant page of the history of modern Armenia which made the authoritarians realize the seriousness of the period.
Among the achievements of the past twenty years, Aram Manukyan pointed out the formation of army and victory in the Artsakh war.
"The adoption of Laws on "Freedom of Expression," "Fundamental Human Rights," and Language are important values of independence, but the most important is the universal recognition of Artsakh's right to self-determination," he said.
Manukyan says the festive moods cast a shadow on the existing problems.
"Our internal and external vectors started to deviate from 1998, with authorities becoming robbers. There were looters during our administration as well, but when looting spreads throughout the whole system and is imposed from the higher echelons of the government, it becomes alarming," said Manukyan.
As a result, Armenia was deprived of its democracy and we witnessed escalating emigration. Just at that moment, Karabakh's autonomy became an apple of discord.
