March 2, 2007

Heritage Council Decides on Elections:
The Party Will Run Alone

Yerevan—The Heritage Party today convened a special meeting of its governing Council at the Armenia Marriott Hotel. The question of the day was one: Should the party participate in the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 12?

Introductory remarks were delivered by Heritage board member Vardan Khachatrian. “Heritage has long favored an inclusive and encompassing alliance for the coming elections and, throughout the deliberations with opposition colleagues, it remained true to its aim until the end. It is to our chagrin, but not our fault, that the opposition could not join forces. We currently stand at a critical juncture and, acknowledging our duties before the generations yet to come, we have gathered today to decide whether or not to run in the elections,” he said.

This day, March 2, 2007, was not only a critical juncture but a sign and symbol as well. The national flag of the newly independent Armenia had been raised in front of the United Nations building exactly fifteen years ago; it was Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs, who had the honor of performing that ceremony. March 2 also marks the 50th wedding anniversary of Hovannisian’s parents, Richard and Vartiter.

The session, attended also by journalists and members of the public, was then formally opened with the singing of Armenia’s national anthem, “Mer Hairenik.”

Raffi Hovannisian, founder of the Heritage Party, was next invited to take the floor. In a powerful keynote address, he declared: “The matter that is at hand for us today and for tomorrow is not only the remembrance of our past heritage, but also a living legacy for the unification of the nation and thus the building of a Homeland that is a force to be reckoned with—both in the region and the world entire. The Armenian tricolor that waves before the United Nations is not a mere standard, but the embodiment of the liberty, unity, and sovereignty of our people. This banner compels us, for all eternity, to build a country of rights, democracy, and liberty, and a strong, proud, and flourishing Armenia.” Hovannisian also stated that the decision, which the party board would reach today, would be one of the determinants in the paving of Armenia’s tomorrow.

Heritage delegates then commenced the voting process. The party’s Council decided—with a vote of 23 for, 1 against, and 3 abstaining—that Heritage shall take part in the parliamentary elections in the proportional format.

Thereafter, the delegates unanimously approved the party’s election list, which includes 56 candidates. Raffi Hovannisian, Armenia’s first Ombudswoman Larisa Alaverdian, and Yerevan State University lecturer Vardan Khachatrian lead the list.

With respect to supporting candidates who will run in the elections in the majoritarian format, the Heritage executive board reported that a number of citizens’ groups had proposed Raffi Hovannisian’s nomination at an election district in Yerevan, but Hovannisian had declined in order to support the other opposition candidates who are already nominated in that district. The Heritage board was in full agreement with Hovannisian in this regard.

Party delegates also unanimously chose board member Armen Martirosian and activist Mihran Amirkhanian to represent Heritage at the Central Election Commission.

A statement of solidarity was then read by human rights defender Larisa Alaverdian.

The convention delegates also adopted a resolution that revealed Armenia’s historic choice—between becoming the cradle for citizen and citizenship and continuing to bear the widespread unlawfulness and the unproductive governance of recent years, which threatens to turn Armenia into a hopeless territory. “We are determined to gain victory at the parliamentary elections and, together with other democratic forces in the country, to form a national government which enjoys the people’s trust and moves to launch systemic changes in the current year,” the resolution reads.

In his closing remarks, Raffi Hovannisian assured his fellow citizens that in order to deliver the Armenia that belongs to every citizen, Heritage—not only as a political party, but as a living concept that connects the past and the future—would work through nationwide efforts to bring the people’s collective potential to fruition and to put an end to injustice and inequality. “The election clock has started to tick, and we wish all candidates and political forces a fair and a righteous contest that is anchored in the free competition of ideas; the winner should be the one who earns and deserves it,” Hovannisian asserted, calling on government and opposition parties alike to guarantee equal campaign opportunities and conditions for all. “We will pass this difficult road together and without retreat. On May 13 we will gather to celebrate the people’s triumph.”

In closing the convention, Vardan Khachatrian added that Heritage’s objective, far beyond petty party interests, is to establish a civil society, to enroot democratic values, and to gain strength in unity. “We go out now to the battlefield with the determination finally to put the nation on the path of progress.”