88TH ANNIVERSARY OF PROCLAMATION OF REPUBLIC
Lragir.am
26 May 06
Two days before the 88th anniversary of proclamation of the first
Republic of Armenia the representatives of the three political forces,
which had a key role in the establishment of the three Armenian
republics, met at the Pastark Club to discuss the role of proclamation
of the first republic in the establishment of the Armenian
statehood. The `representative’ of the first republic was Kiro
Manoyan, in charge of Hay Dat and political affairs of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutiun), Yura Manukyan, the leader
of the United Communist Party represented Soviet Armenia, and the
third republic was represented by Hovanes Igityan., the All-Armenian
Movement. All the three said hopefully there will not be a fourth
republic, depending on political forces which come to or lose
power. The importance of May 28 is great, there was complete agreement
on this question too. The first republic teaches devotion and care for
the state, this is another common opinion.
People did everything. The political parties had certain
responsibility, this point of view was not opposed either.
According to Kiro Manoyan, the proclamation of the republic in 1918
showed that, first of all, the state and statehood are the anchor of
existence ofthe Armenian people, and second, Armenia is the home of
all Armenians. Hovanes Igityan thinks Armenia would not exist today if
it were not declared independent 88 years ago. Yura Manukyan also
stresses the proclamation of the first republic but by the way. He
mostly praises the Soviet republic, and statesthat `only socialist
reforms can upgrade the life of people, and socialism is the most
humanist way of life.’
Now about the mistakes. According to Yura Manukyan, a major mistake of
the Communists was connected with applying forms of ownership, and
there was a cruel treatment of the church. Kiro Manoyan cannot see
what his fellows could have done not to lose independence. `On those
days conditions did not allow seeing what there would be,’ says Kiro
Manoyan, adding that Dashnaktsutiun lost or yielded power for the sake
of the state, for the sake of Armenia, it prevented bloodshed.
The government of the first republic was also a coalition. Kiro
Manoyan asserts that the Armenian Revolutionary Federation formed a
coalition as asign of national unity. Hovanes Igityan, however, has a
different opinion on the coalition governments of the first and third
republics, `At that time the ARF was distributing portfolios, they
chose who to give to. Now ARF is given portfolios, others choose to
give or not.’