PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:
June 3, 2008
ACNIS Focuses on the 90-Year Track Record of Armenian Statehood
Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) today convened a policy roundtable to look at the past
ninety-year history of Armenia as a state. The meeting brought
together MPs, leading analysts, policy specialists, public and
political figures, and media representatives.
ACNIS research coordinator Syuzanna Barseghian welcomed the audience
with opening remarks. "When analyzing the general trends in the
establishment of Armenian statehood we need to shed light on the
causes of the political crises arising in Armenia every so often, the
consequences of these crises, the logic behind the formation of
democratic institutions and their success rate in pursuit of their
mission," Barseghian said.
The day’s first speaker, Karen Khachatrian of the Institute of History
of the Academy of Sciences, examined the First Republic of Armenia in
terms of the lessons learned and its parallels with the modern-day
Republic. In his opinion, the lessons from the First Republic teach us
above all to maintain and consolidate our friendly relations with
Russia and also to have strong and combat-ready armed forces.
According to Khachatrian, even though certain progress has been
achieved in these two directions, the other equally important lessons
have been disregarded. "Sadly, when it comes to manifesting tolerance
and harmony in domestic politics we do not learn lessons from the
past," he stated, also emphasizing the imperative of forming
legitimate authorities solely by way of free and fair elections.
ACNIS senior analyst Manvel Sargsian then reflected on the causes of
the recurring domestic political crises in Armenia. "All through the
history of newly independent Armenia, the body politic was unable, and
the political elite unwilling, to implement solid and efficient
electoral mechanisms, and this became the primary cause for the
oligarchic system of governance to take root in the country," Sargsian
maintained, adding that the permanent crises in recent decades were
the result of such a system. In his view, the passiveness of Armenian
society as well as its civic apathy and conformist posture stand as an
additional reason for the perpetuation of nationwide dilemmas.
In his intervention, member of parliament Stepan Safarian focused on
the formation of democratic institutions in newly independent
countries. He pointed generically and then specifically to the fact
that the post-election developments in Armenia, which were accompanied
by tragic events and unlawful actions, bespeak the lack of development
of civil society in the country. As Safarian argued, organized
discrimination against democratic institutions likewise has a negative
impact on this situation. "This state of disbalance for Armenia’s
democratic institutions is deepening further and bringing with it
societal tension as a result of which maintenance of power now is full
of unforeseeable consequences," he underscored.
The policy roundtable concluded with an exchange of opinions and
policy recommendations among analyst Marcel Abrahamian of the
Constitutional Court; MP Mkrtich Minasian; coordinator Mane Hakobian
of "The People are Masters of the Country" civic union; Professor
Babken Harutiunian, chairholder in Armenian History at Yerevan State
University; director Heghine Manasian of the Caucasus Research and
Resource Center; political analyst Davit Petrosian; chairwoman Artemis
Lepejian of the "St. Sandukht" NGO; political scientist Vladimir
Sargsian; program coordinator Edgar Vardanian of the Institute for
Democracy and Human Rights; and several others.
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 2008, the Center focuses primarily on civic education,
democratic development, 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; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit
www.acnis.am
www.acnis.am