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'IF THE PEOPLE OPPOSE IT, WHAT RIGHT DO WE HAVE TO SIGN,' SAYS MARKARIAN
ARF Press Office
Oct 8th, 2009
YEREVAN (ARF Press Office)--When the people express their firm
opposition to the protocols then how dare the leadership sign
them? This question was posed Thursday by Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Bureau chairman Hrant Markarian at a conference addressing
the Armenia-Turkey protocols and relations between the two countries.
Markarian sent a terse warning to those who are opting to
divide--create a schism--between Armenia and the Diaspora.
"The Diaspora is the continuation of our homeland--they are us! We
cannot, even in our minds, fathom dividing our nation," said Markarian,
who was referring to the vocal opposition expressed by the Diaspora
during President Serzh Sarkisian's so-called "pan-Armenian tour," and
the manner in which the president has decided to ignore the concerns
expressed during his visits to Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Beirut
and Rostov-on-Don.
Markarian went on to illustrate that from the onset it was clear
that the protocol-mandated public discussion period was nothing more
than a formality, since it was announced that there was no room to
amend the documents. There was fierce reaction to the government's
"There's no discussion, we are going to sign," formulation.
"The Genocide issue is an open wound. Do not attempt to touch that
nerve, because the reaction will be unpredictable," said Markarian.
The ARF leader pledged that while his party is going to fight against
the protocols and the entire process, nevertheless, it is willing
to work with the authorities to find a way out. However, he said,
if the appropriate response is not given by the authorities "We will
go to the end--we will seek regime change."
He explained: "Regime change is not self-serving and we are not seeking
to change the bad with worse. It is finally time that our people
knowledgably and in an organized manner, bring such a regime to power,
which it will not want to change immediately," explained Markarian.
"We are advocating for the same thing everywhere: The ARF is opposed
to these protocols. We are stating this based on our experience
and our struggle, seeing clear and present dangers. Those who view
the ARF as one of 60 parties working in Armenia are very mistaken,"
said Markarian.
ARF Press Office
Oct 8th, 2009
YEREVAN (ARF Press Office)--When the people express their firm
opposition to the protocols then how dare the leadership sign
them? This question was posed Thursday by Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Bureau chairman Hrant Markarian at a conference addressing
the Armenia-Turkey protocols and relations between the two countries.
Markarian sent a terse warning to those who are opting to
divide--create a schism--between Armenia and the Diaspora.
"The Diaspora is the continuation of our homeland--they are us! We
cannot, even in our minds, fathom dividing our nation," said Markarian,
who was referring to the vocal opposition expressed by the Diaspora
during President Serzh Sarkisian's so-called "pan-Armenian tour," and
the manner in which the president has decided to ignore the concerns
expressed during his visits to Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Beirut
and Rostov-on-Don.
Markarian went on to illustrate that from the onset it was clear
that the protocol-mandated public discussion period was nothing more
than a formality, since it was announced that there was no room to
amend the documents. There was fierce reaction to the government's
"There's no discussion, we are going to sign," formulation.
"The Genocide issue is an open wound. Do not attempt to touch that
nerve, because the reaction will be unpredictable," said Markarian.
The ARF leader pledged that while his party is going to fight against
the protocols and the entire process, nevertheless, it is willing
to work with the authorities to find a way out. However, he said,
if the appropriate response is not given by the authorities "We will
go to the end--we will seek regime change."
He explained: "Regime change is not self-serving and we are not seeking
to change the bad with worse. It is finally time that our people
knowledgably and in an organized manner, bring such a regime to power,
which it will not want to change immediately," explained Markarian.
"We are advocating for the same thing everywhere: The ARF is opposed
to these protocols. We are stating this based on our experience
and our struggle, seeing clear and present dangers. Those who view
the ARF as one of 60 parties working in Armenia are very mistaken,"
said Markarian.