DOMESTIC CRISIS MAY LEAD TO CHANGE IN POWER
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.03.2010 14:45 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian National Congress not only organizes
rallies but also carries out a great deal of work, according to
Surents Surenyants, member of Republic party’s political council.
"The legitimacy of the Armenian authorities is questioned. To improve
the situation, reforms are needed. Otherwise, the aggravating political
crisis will lead to change in power," Mr. Surenyants said at a joint
news conference with RPA (Republican Party of Armenia) member Artak
Zakaryan.
Commenting on the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, he said Armenia
should ratify the protocols ahead of Turkey. "My opinion may differ
from that of other ANC members. But it’s my personal view of the
situation," he said.
As to the Armenian Genocide resolution, Mr. Surenyants said it will
hardly be passed in the Congress. "It’s somehow offending that the
Armenian cause has become a plaything for Armenia," he said.
For his part, Mr. Zakaryan remarked that the legitimacy of the
country’s leadership cannot be questioned by a 20000 rally. "All
governing bodies function in accordance with the law and any talk about
a domestic crisis is improper," he said. In regard to the upcoming US
House panel vote on the Armenian Genocide resolution, he said it’s
"a problem of the US-Turkish relations". "Armenia’s involvement in
the process is limited to the activity of the Diaspora," he said.
The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of
the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet
Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks
held through Swiss mediation. On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional
Court of the Republic of Armenia found the protocols conformable to
the country’s Organic Law.
The Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res. 106) was submitted to the
House of Representatives by Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), on
January 30, 2007, during the 110th United States Congress. It was
a non-binding resolution calling upon the US President to ensure
that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate
understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human
rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States
record relating to the Armenian Genocide, and for other purposes. Upon
its introduction it was referred to United States House Committee
on Foreign Affairs where it passed a 27-21 vote and was sent back
for a full house vote. On October 26, 2007, in a letter addressed
to the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, four key sponsors of the bill,
requested a debate on the bill in full House to be postponed.
Another resolution affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian
Genocide (H.Res.252) was formally introduced in the U.S. House of
Representatives by Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-CA), George Radanovich
(R.-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill) in 2009.
It currently has 137 co-sponsors.