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PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 - 1) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 - 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: www.acnis.am
October 5, 2005
ACNIS Turns Eleven: Raffi Hovannisian's Public Address
Yerevan--Today the Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) celebrated its 11th anniversary of public service, creative
inspiration, and analytical research. On the occasion and in the presence of
professional staff and media representatives, ACNIS founder and Heritage
Party chairman Raffi K. Hovannisian delivered his annual address.
Underscoring the most serious challenges for Armenia in the new era, Raffi
Hovannisian pinpointed the adverse phenomena still plaguing Armenian
domestic and foreign policy, and in particular the perils of endemic
corruption, the rule of caprice and lawlessness, growing poverty, and the
predictable consequence of emigration. "In this quickly-changing world, when
the governed expect of their leaders a flexible mind, a consensus-building
capacity, and a profound worldview, we simply do not have the right to
entrust our nation's destiny to those who have appropriated its foreign
policy in the same way as they have done with the country's economy, turning
one and the other into a shadow structure driven by personal gain."
According to Hovannisian, this mode of operation has made a mockery of the
national interest, has alienated the country's citizens from their
authorities, and has weakened the foundations of our once-national
solidarity. From the standard-bearer of democracy and liberty in the region,
Armenia is now retreating to the backwaters of cynical authoritarian
dominion.
A striking reflection of the public's shaken trust toward its governors,
Raffi Hovannisian continued, is the current package of constitutional
amendments which is likewise being used by the powers that be for cheap
propaganda purposes. "These proffered improvements will remain a mere word
game as long as the most basic and universal precept--the separation of
executive, legislative, and judicial authority--has not become a reality."
And this, in Hovannisian's words, can be secured only by an administration
that has received a broad public mandate through free and fair elections.
Until that day comes to pass, the constitutional changes will simply be
reminiscent of an unsuccessful attempt quickly to hide the cracks of an old
and run-down building by means of "European-style remodeling."
The wide-ranging speech of Armenia's first Minister of Foreign Affairs
focused also on major flaws in diplomacy and external policy which have
resulted from the situational activity of hypocritical officials who have
little in common with national interests, guiding principles, and public
confidence. Raffi Hovannisian scored the myopic and reactive nature of the
Armenian presidency not only in terms of the watershed divide in the
Armenia-Turkey relationship, but also in the context of European Union
integration. "It is foreseeable that in its best-case scenario Turkey can
only become an EU member in synchronization with Armenia, and in the process
it will have to undergo serious and irreversible reforms, confront its
history, reject any imperial ambitions, and so forge a comprehensive
resolution of all outstanding matters with Armenia." Pursuant to the
precedents set by a number of civilized countries, Hovannisian sounded the
imperative to work for the historic opportunity to turn enmity into
partnership.
The extensive work of quality carried out by ACNIS in the past eleven years
demonstrates that, odds notwithstanding, Armenia is capable of claiming its
place of desert and dignity among the family of nations, provided of course
that it rediscovers itself as a civilizational contributor to the world and
strives to unite the tremendous political, economic, cultural, and
intellectual potential of all Armenians across the globe. Finally becoming a
real Homeland for the entire Armenian nation, Raffi Hovannisian concluded,
is the best way for Armenia to overcome the complex impasse it currently
faces.
Founded in 1994 by Armenia's first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves
as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges
facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also
aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider
understanding of the new global environment. In 2005, the Center focuses
primarily on civic education, conflict resolution, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the nation.
For further information on the Center, call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18;
fax (37410) 52-48-46; e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]; or visit
www.acnis.am
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 - 1) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 - 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: www.acnis.am
October 5, 2005
ACNIS Turns Eleven: Raffi Hovannisian's Public Address
Yerevan--Today the Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) celebrated its 11th anniversary of public service, creative
inspiration, and analytical research. On the occasion and in the presence of
professional staff and media representatives, ACNIS founder and Heritage
Party chairman Raffi K. Hovannisian delivered his annual address.
Underscoring the most serious challenges for Armenia in the new era, Raffi
Hovannisian pinpointed the adverse phenomena still plaguing Armenian
domestic and foreign policy, and in particular the perils of endemic
corruption, the rule of caprice and lawlessness, growing poverty, and the
predictable consequence of emigration. "In this quickly-changing world, when
the governed expect of their leaders a flexible mind, a consensus-building
capacity, and a profound worldview, we simply do not have the right to
entrust our nation's destiny to those who have appropriated its foreign
policy in the same way as they have done with the country's economy, turning
one and the other into a shadow structure driven by personal gain."
According to Hovannisian, this mode of operation has made a mockery of the
national interest, has alienated the country's citizens from their
authorities, and has weakened the foundations of our once-national
solidarity. From the standard-bearer of democracy and liberty in the region,
Armenia is now retreating to the backwaters of cynical authoritarian
dominion.
A striking reflection of the public's shaken trust toward its governors,
Raffi Hovannisian continued, is the current package of constitutional
amendments which is likewise being used by the powers that be for cheap
propaganda purposes. "These proffered improvements will remain a mere word
game as long as the most basic and universal precept--the separation of
executive, legislative, and judicial authority--has not become a reality."
And this, in Hovannisian's words, can be secured only by an administration
that has received a broad public mandate through free and fair elections.
Until that day comes to pass, the constitutional changes will simply be
reminiscent of an unsuccessful attempt quickly to hide the cracks of an old
and run-down building by means of "European-style remodeling."
The wide-ranging speech of Armenia's first Minister of Foreign Affairs
focused also on major flaws in diplomacy and external policy which have
resulted from the situational activity of hypocritical officials who have
little in common with national interests, guiding principles, and public
confidence. Raffi Hovannisian scored the myopic and reactive nature of the
Armenian presidency not only in terms of the watershed divide in the
Armenia-Turkey relationship, but also in the context of European Union
integration. "It is foreseeable that in its best-case scenario Turkey can
only become an EU member in synchronization with Armenia, and in the process
it will have to undergo serious and irreversible reforms, confront its
history, reject any imperial ambitions, and so forge a comprehensive
resolution of all outstanding matters with Armenia." Pursuant to the
precedents set by a number of civilized countries, Hovannisian sounded the
imperative to work for the historic opportunity to turn enmity into
partnership.
The extensive work of quality carried out by ACNIS in the past eleven years
demonstrates that, odds notwithstanding, Armenia is capable of claiming its
place of desert and dignity among the family of nations, provided of course
that it rediscovers itself as a civilizational contributor to the world and
strives to unite the tremendous political, economic, cultural, and
intellectual potential of all Armenians across the globe. Finally becoming a
real Homeland for the entire Armenian nation, Raffi Hovannisian concluded,
is the best way for Armenia to overcome the complex impasse it currently
faces.
Founded in 1994 by Armenia's first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves
as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges
facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also
aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider
understanding of the new global environment. In 2005, the Center focuses
primarily on civic education, conflict resolution, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the nation.
For further information on the Center, call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18;
fax (37410) 52-48-46; e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]; or visit
www.acnis.am