May 28, 2007

Heritage Statement
on Armenian Independence Day

The Heritage Party congratulates the entire Armenian nation on the 89th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Armenia . Without this day in 1918, achieved as it was against the odds of the Genocide and great dispossession of Homeland which preceded it, there would be no Armenian state, of any kind, remnant today.

In paying tribute to the founders and framers of the first, albeit short-lived sovereign accomplishment in modern Armenian history, we, the heirs of that legacy of triumphs and tribulations, recommit ourselves to the aspiration of a Republic anchored in liberty, the rule of law, and the protection of civil rights and national interests. The recently-held parliamentary elections did not satisfy the threshold of these Armenian benchmarks, and continue to pose a challenge of public legitimacy and good governance to be met by the democratic determination of our generation.

In the letter and spirit of this occasion, Heritage calls for the immediate release of Alexander Arzoumanian, Zhirair Sefilian, Vardan Malkhasian, Arman Babajanian, Armen Sargsian, Arsen Artsruni, and all other political prisoners currently being held in violation of their basic constitutional freedoms. There can be no justice in the world without justice at home.

Happy May 28th.

The Heritage Party
Raffi K. Hovannisian, Chairman
May 28, 2007
Yerevan