ARF Participates in HDP’s Third Congress in Ankara

February 12, 2018 By administrator

ANKARA, Turkey (A.W.)—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) participated in the third congress of Turkey’s Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)—the second-largest opposition party represented in the Turkish Parliament—on Sunday.

Despite most of its leadership being jailed by Turkish authorities, over 32,000 HDP members and guests participated in the congress, entitled “We Will Win—No Matter What!”

Khajag Mgrdichian, a member of the ARF’s International Secretariat, represented the 128-year-old Armenian party.

Armenian member of Turkish Parliament Garo Paylan was elected on the executive that chaired the congress, which was attended by representatives of a number of invited political parties from France, Greece, Norway, Iraq, Germany, Ireland, and the Basque Country.

According to the ARF’s office of public relations, the ARF decided to participate in the congress to stand in solidarity with HDP, in its tireless work in regards to freedom and justice in Turkey. “The HDP leadership greatly appreciated the participation of all the political parties from abroad—including the ARF’s,” wrote a part of the statement released by the ARF.

The ARF’s office of public relations reported that the congress took place in an environment of jubilance, song, and dance. Armenian patriotic songs were also played throughout the congress.

“One of the most significant moments [of the congress] was when the messages of imprisoned [HDP] Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag were read,” said the statement.

Former Member of Parliament Sezai Temelli, 54, was voted by party delegates to replace Demirtas while Pervin Buldan, 50, was elected to replace Yuksekdag as Co-Chair.

This was the first time the ARF was represented at an HDP congress, though the party had previously met with representatives of its predecessor party—the Peace and Democracy Party of Turkey (BDP). On Oct. 29, 2013, a delegation of the BDP, headed by then Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas, visited the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Washington office and met with a delegation headed by ARF Bureau member Hagop Der Khatchadourian.

The following month, a high-level meeting between delegations representing the ARF and BDP of Turkey was held in Istanbul on Nov. 12, 2013 . This was the first time since 1923 that an official ARF delegation visited Istanbul. Less than three weeks later, an ARF Youth delegation participated in the BDP’s first youth congress.

Armenian President’s Republican Party Signs Coalition Deal With ARF

May 12, 2017 By administrator

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian’s Republican Party won 58 of the 105 seats in parliamentary elections on April 2.

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian’s ruling Republican Party (HHK) has signed a coalition agreement with the smaller Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), a party official told reporters on May 11.

Sarkisian’s Republican Party won 58 of the 105 seats in parliamentary elections on April 2, surpassing the 50 percent level, but the coalition agreement was nevertheless important to the HHK’s ability to form a government.

Legislative rules require a three-fifths majority to win approval for appointments such as Constitutional Court judges, the general prosecutor, chairman of the appeals court, central bank chairman, and election officials.

In addition, the passing of important laws, such as the electoral and judicial codes, laws on holding referendums, and legislation related to the Constitutional Court also require the approval of three-fifths of the parliament.

With the addition of seven seats from the ARF, it will surpass the three-fifths level of 63 seats by two.

“We have a number of similarities in our value systems…that will determine the cooperation between two national parties during the coming five years,” said Armen Ashotyan, vice chairman of the Republican Party.

The Republican Party won 49.15 percent of the April 2 vote, with the center-right Tsarukian Alliance, led by Russia-friendly tycoon Gagik Tsarukian, winning 27.37 percent.

The nationalist ARF, which was part of the previous ruling coalition with the Republicans, won about 6.57 percent of the April 2 vote.

Some international observers said the voting process was “tainted” by reports of vote-buying and pressure on voters.

In the previous coalition agreement, the ARF had three ministerial posts — economy, education, and local administration.

The terms of the new coalition deal were not immediately announced.

In the past, the ARF, also known as Dashnaktsutiun, has antagonized neighboring Turkey by making territorial claims.

Armenia and Turkey have clashed over Armenian demands that Turkey take responsibility for the mass killing and deportation of some 1.5 million Armenians during World War I by the Ottoman Empire.

The atrocities suffered by the Armenians have been classed as genocide by Yerevan and more than a dozen states.

Although Turkey admits many Christian Armenians were killed in clashes with Ottoman forces, it denies the killings were orchestrated and constituted a genocide.

Armenia must recognize Nagorno-Karabakh to proceed to unification – ARF-D politician

March 7, 2017 By administrator

If Armenia recognizes the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic, the two Armenian states will be able to embark on a unification plan sometime in the nearest future, says Giro Manoyan, the political affairs director at the ARF-D (Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun) Bureau.
Speaking to Tert.am, the politician said that heir pre-election platform proposes specific steps for initiating a recognition process.
“In our pre-election platforms, we have always stated Artsakh’s reunification with Armenia as our final goal. Both the proclamation of independence and the activities towards recognition are tactical steps in that direction,” he said.
Meantime Manoyan added that they do not consider realizing the plan at the moment. “If Armenia recognizes [Artsakh’s] independence, the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh may later decide themselves whether unify [into a single country],” he explained.

The politician, who is the ARF-D’s proportional representation candidate in the upcoming parliamentary election, said they rule out the possibility of concessions unless Azerbaijan recognizes the Nagorno-Karabakh population’s right to self-determination.
“From our standpoint, the statements by high-ranking officials that recognition may lead to a war are a wrong policy on the part of Armenia. If that really is the case, why do we then need to ask a third party to recognize Artsakh?”

Armenia Election 2017: ARF-D unveils candidates’ list

February 15, 2017 By administrator

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaksutyun (ARF-D) on Wednesday announced the names of its candidates running for parliament in April.

Aghvan Vardanyan, the chief of the party’s campaign headquarters, introduced the first 25 nominees on the party’s proportional representation ballot. Armen Roustamyan, the leader of the ARF-D faction in parliament, tops the list.
Vardanyan said they have not included “odious” figures into their ranks.
The list comprises 170 names, including both ARF-D members, and co-thinkers who are not affiliated with the party but share its set of values as representatives of one team.
The ruling Republican Party (with whom the ARF-D signed a coalition deal in 2016) unveiled its proportional list on Tuesday.

Armenia: ARF Leader Urges Prime Minister to Launch Probe Into Corruption Claim

September 28, 2016 By administrator

Leader of ARF’s parliamentary faction and a member of the party’s Bureau Armen Rustamian during a press conference on Sept. 16

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)—Law enforcement authorities should look into Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan’s allegations about the embezzlement of budgetary funds allocated for government officials’ travel expenses, a leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation said on Wednesday.

Karapetyan angrily denounced the “primitive theft” last week as his cabinet approved a new electronic system for the purchase of air tickets for officials travelling abroad on business. But he did not implicate any government agency or official in the alleged practice. Nor did law-enforcement bodies launch criminal proceedings in connection with his claim.

“I think that [the statement] should certainly be followed by concrete actions,” said ARF’s Armen Rustamian. “If the prime minister spoke about theft, he has all the levers and resources to dig deeper and substantiate that statement.”

“This must become the subject of a criminal case,” Rustamian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).

None of the ARF ministers has publicly called for a criminal investigation into Karapetian’s claim.

Eduard Sharmazanov, the spokesman for ruling Republican Party of Armenia, was reluctant to comment on the lack of such an inquiry. “I’m the spokesman for the Republican Party of Armenia, not the prime minister,” he said.

Sharmazanov also claimed that Karapetyan talked about a “general philosophy,” rather than concrete cases of government corruption.

Justice Minister Arpine Hovannisian likewise said on Monday that the premier merely condemned the failure of various government agencies to properly perform their duties. Under Armenian law, that is not sufficient grounds for prosecuting government officials, she said.

ARF Montebello Dro Gomideh Raises $101,000 for ‘With Artsakh’ Campaign

May 10, 2016 By administrator

ARF Dro Gomideh leaders and members with benefactor Mike Sarian (center) during Saturday’s “With Artsakh” fundraiser

MONTEBELLO—The local ARF Dashnaktsutiun Dro Gomideh on Saturday organized a special fund-raising event, during which $101,000 was collected for the “With Artsakh” campaign, in a festive environment that further amplified the community’s solidarity with the people and soldiers of Artsakh.

“The Dro Gomideh dedicated its annual fund-raising event to Artsakh. Thus the entire proceeds from the event will go toward the rebuilding of towns and villages impacted by last April’s four-day war, as well as to the families of fallen soldiers,” said ARF Dro Gomideh chairperson Sarkis Nourian.

During the event, the ARF Dro Gomideh honored community benefactor Mike Sarian who for years has quietly donated one million dollars worth of medical equipment and supplies to Armenia and Artsakh.

Since Azerbaijan launched its savage attack on its borders with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on April, the ARF Dashnaktsutiun Western US Central Committee joined its counterparts on the Eastern Region in declaring its solidarity with the people and Armed Forces of Artsakh and through its local chapters has raised funds and gathered supplies for the people of Artsakh.

Working closely with people on the ground, the Central Committee has been assessing needs and capacity in order to advance relief efforts to Artsakh, by focusing on assisting efforts to rebuild the impacted villages and towns, especially in Talish, Mardakert and Madaghis.

Last month, the ARF Dashnaktsutiun Western US Central Committee issued an announcement calling on the community to join its fund-raising and rebuilding efforts through the ACF “With Artsakh” and the Armenian Youth Federation’s “With Our Soldiers” campaign. The latter has already sent medical supplies and other necessities to Artsakh.

ARF Western US to Raise Funds to Rebuild Artsakh Villages and Support Soldiers

April 30, 2016 By administrator

GLENDALE—In a statement issued Friday, the ARF Dashnaktutyun Western US Central Committee appealed to the community to raise much-needed funds to help rebuild areas of Artsakh most hard-hit by recent Azerbaijani attacks, as well as to provide support to families of fallen soldiers.

Below is the complete text of the announcement.

The heroic people of Artsakh have once again spilled blood defending our homeland. As a clarion call, a mother, while burying her son, expressed the sentiment of the courageous people of Artsakh, “We lost precious lives defending our land. We will not give up one inch of that land to the aggressors.”

The savage attacks by Azerbaijani forces beginning on April 2, along the Nagorno-Karabakh-Azerbaijan border has not only destabilized the region, but also rekindled the possibility of full-scale war threatening the existence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and its people. Although the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army withstood the attacks and delivered a strong response, several villages have been left in ruins, especially the regions of Talish, Mardakert, and Madaghis. The unprovoked aggression has resulted in the loss of civilian and military lives and has taken its toll on the injured soldiers.

We reiterate our solidarity with the government and people of Artsakh, as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army, as they confront yet another breech of the cease fire by Azerbaijan.

The ARF Dashnaktutyun Western US Central Committee, heeding the call from our brethren in Artsakh, has pledged to play a central role in the effort to rebuild the devastated areas as quickly as possible so that the residents may return to their normal lives, and to send a decisive message to Azerbaijan that its military threats will not deter the spirit of the Armenian people and the development of Artsakh.

We call upon all Armenians to join the ACF “With Artsakh” and AYF “With Our Soldiers” efforts in order to actively bring their financial and moral support to free and independent Artsakh.

The National Liberation Struggle for Artsakh began in 1988 and war threatened its existence in the 1990’s. The ARF Western US, with its members, supporters and the vast and diverse affiliate organizations has continually stood with Artsakh and spared nothing to ensure its survival. The time has come to recommit to assisting our brave brothers and sisters in the homeland.

ARF Western US Regional Convention Elects New Central Committee

June 23, 2014 By administrator

MONTEBELLO—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western United States organization during the last two weekends convened its 49th Regional Convention with the participation of 95 delegates and invited guests.

After extensively discussing agenda items dedicated to national and community issues, the Convention, once again emphasized the imperative for bringing together and organizing all forces within the community. The Convention also stressed the need to further direct the work of the youth toward the elevation of Armenia and Artsakh, as well as the just demands of the Armenian people, especially on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

At the conclusion of the Convention on Sunday, a new Central Committee was elected for the upcoming two years, comprised of the following: Dr. Viken Hovsepian, Chairman, Vahe Bozoyan, Daron Der-Khachadourian, Mardig Gaboudian, Garo Ispendjian, Bedig Kazandjian, Dr. Ara Khanjian, Vache Thomassian, Esq., Levon Kirakossian, Esq, Koko Topalian and Dr. Viken Yacoubian