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ARF Candidate Vahan Hovannesian’s Platform
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Dear Citizens of the
Republic of Armenia, Our
country must now enter an entirely new stage of
development. The political, economic and public
entities that were formed after independence and
remain to this day do not ensure progress. The
external and internal challenges to our
country—dictated by the necessity for
development and the disparity between what the
constitution envisions and what actually exist
in Armenia—call for significant, large-scale and
systematic changes. We
have to create the means to soar ahead and the
preconditions for stable development. We must
breathe fresh, new life into all segments of our
life. Our citizens must fully believe in their
future and that of their family, and they must
become participants in shaping that future.
By announcing my candidacy, the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation is participating in the
presidential elections with these convictions.
We are organized. We have the will and
determination to lead our people in a historic
march toward a New Armenia, toward a free and
fair society. We believe in the creative
potential of a just nation and its free
citizens. The
misinterpretation of liberal ideas and their
extreme implementation, the failure to create a
social welfare state, and smaller role of the
government in regulating a free market have all
led to the present economic order run by
oligarchs. These
oligarchs have monopolized the most lucrative
sectors of the economy and have established an
economic system that lacks competition and
serves only the special interests. Rather, they
have great influence on all aspects of Armenian
society, including the government, the
constitutional order and societal values.
These wealthy individuals have exploited
government resources to ensure their survival,
while obstructing the establishment of a stable
political system. They
have wielded their political influence and have
continuously placed themselves above the law in
detriment to order in the country. They have
violated human rights and freedoms, and have
prevented the institutionalization of
traditional democratic principles. During the
elections, they exert pressure on the
financially insecure to buy their votes.
Uninterested in the implementation of effective
business models and with no supervision of their
economic activity, they have widened the social
gap to dangerous levels. They have and continue
to obstruct social advancement and the nation’s
development. I will work
to do away with hate and enmity in Armenia. I
will not confront others, but will prove that we
are more unrelenting and fairer than others. I
look toward the future.
With the help of reputable forces, my goal is to
build a just nation of free citizens by
implementing structural changes to all facets
affecting public life.
Armenia’s independence and sovereignty mean
everything to me. We and generations to come can
have the homeland our ancestors dreamed of. But
only by uniting our efforts.
I have the determination to reach this goal. I
need your votes and your trust.
Sincerely, Your old
friend Vahan Hovhannisian |
Public policy
 Freedom
for citizens and a national system built on justice
guarantee competitive government. Therefore, in order to
strengthen our government and to realize our national
interests we have no other choice than to establish a
democratic system and form a civil society. However,
democratic principles in place and the establishment of a
civil society necessitate the creation of effective
political, economic and social mechanisms. It also requires
securing the participation of a wide circle of the public
sector, and guaranteeing human rights and freedoms.
I consider the following priorities for the current state of
nation-building: persistence in achieving structural changes
in all sectors effecting public life; the unwavering
implementation of constitutional norms; and the
establishment of social justice and public solidarity.
The establishment of a just government system requires the
transparency of all the activities of governmental bodies
and employees; the creation of social mechanisms to ensure
public oversight of government institutions and structures;
the improvement of public services; establishment of a
competitive work environment and ensured safety of public
workers; the formation of an independent and impartial
judicial system; the development of a neutral, just and
effective policy towards various sectors in the country and
special programs to develop the country’s regions equally;
the granting of full authority to self-governing bodies to
expand local budgetary sources and to undertake the
necessary steps to create inter-regional entities.
I will especially focus my attention on reforming the
political system with the following priorities in mind: The
formation of a representative commission on national
security; in the political arena, a clear ideology on
civilized competition between political forces and the
creation of a tolerant and cooperative atmosphere; the
perfection of the electoral system and legislative backing
of a measure that calls for 100 percent of delegates to the
National Assembly be elected via the proportional system of
balloting; the creation of conditions for political
opposition to operate effectively; and establishment of
political culture in society.
Economic and social policy The
economic system must be based on the government’s
fundamental democratic and legal principles. The government
is able to function to its fullest only when, along with a
national-legal order, it leads an equally forceful economic
policy. The fundamental element of that type of economic
policy is the existence of competition. Only competition can
ensure a productive financial market as well as individual
rights and freedoms. My foremost priority will be to
establish a competitive economic order in Armenia.
To accept the government as a force that establishes a
competitive economic order, the following two principles
serve as fundamentals: The purpose of government’s economic
policy should be to dissolve, or limit, the activities of
groups that hold absolute economic power; a government’s
economic policy should be directed by the creation of an
economic order—not by the interference of special interest
economic players. A competitive
economic order can be formulated only when all participants
in market relations are deprived of the ability to change
the market order. A system of check and balances ensures a
long-term economic policy based on principles of competition
in a market economy. Government should not altogether stay
out of economic activities, however. When necessary, it must
undertake means to remedy the negative fallout and
difficulties that arise in a competitive market.
We must increase the public’s economic activity and
establish a democratic mode of production, thereby
attracting the general public to various sectors and
undertakings. The consequent inter-regional cooperation will
encourage the development of specialized small- and
medium-sized businesses.
Social issues as human rights issues
Only a socially free and secure individual can make free
political choices and serve his country and people.
The establishment of a competitive order can not only free
individuals of economic needs, but also protect against
suppression of individual freedoms.
The most difficult problem is the need to abolish, in each
and every aspect, negative social consequences [of social
injustices] and to coordinate a system to ensure
comprehensive social rights for citizens.
Based on a socially just system that ensures equal
opportunity for all, I propose: putting forth an educational
system that offers an environment to advance humanitarian
principles, patriotism, specialized training, and generally
prepares well-rounded individuals by offering quality,
affordable education based on internationally accepted
norms, as well as continuing education; engaging in
persistent efforts to resolve fundamental issues tied to the
country’s youth; creating broad educational opportunities
for youth, to establish a link between education, knowledge
and production; in the realm of a national cultural policy,
preserving historic culture and representing Armenian
culture in international cultural undertakings; stimulating
individual and public creative forces; creating an active
policy on employment and a developed labor market that
offers suitable wages to workers; creating a safe working
environment and a competitive workforce with the necessary
levels of expertise; providing primary healthcare to the
population, preventative healthcare to mothers and children,
affordable and quality physicians, safe and hygienic
conditions, sufficient medications, protection from
outbreaks, and in order to ensure social independence, the
availability of necessary medications; creating equal
opportunities to socially vulnerable individuals and groups
to utilize public services, as well as affordable housing
for new families and families with several children, and
full rights to housing to children without parental care;
and lastly, the establishment of working relations between
government enterprises and trade unions.
In order to realize structural social reforms, it is
imperative to define and periodically review the poverty
basket based on per capita income, and to define social and
strategic plans based on those findings.
The active implementation of such a socio-economic plan will
result in a dramatic decrease in poverty and the development
of regions, as well as the following socio-economic
improvements: increased birth rates, decreased deaths,
increased life expectancy, curtailed migration out of
Armenia and increased immigration. I
refuse to look at resolving the issue of poverty solely
through the lens of financial assistance. Armenian citizens
must also thrive spiritually and culturally. Only then will
they be able to benefit equally from modern opportunities
and emerge as participants of modern society.
Army and defense From the perspective
of our country’s freedom, territorial integrity and
security, the existence of a combative army under a
democratic system is imperative.
The politicization of military forces is unacceptable, as is
the pursuit of narrow factional interests that set negative
standards for the army and, in turn, alienate citizens from
the military. In order to stop any
and all hurdles against the Republic of Armenia and to
step-up border protection, I find it necessary to adopt new
and comprehensive political, economic, military, social and
legal policies. These include, specifically, ensuring the
acceptance and implementation among the public of the use of
arms, as an introductory step to mandatory military service
and for military reserve units; integrating mandatory army
recruits and professional servicemen under the guidance of
professional military leadership; in extraordinary
circumstances, mobilizing financial resources in accordance
with present market conditions; developing border
territories and substructures to correspond to strategic
military goals; providing strategic, nationalistic and
ideological education to ensure that youth in the army are
fully aware of their mission; making sure that at the end of
their service, they return to society as active, healthy and
full-fledged members; fully resolving issues tied to
military servicemen, the families of slain servicemen, war
amputees and veterans’ social issues; and improving the
moral and psychological environment of the military by
creating conditions suitable for those who serve their
country. The structuring of an
Armenian strategic culture is vital. In building the
military, we must overcome the tradition of being led by a
hardened leadership. We must instead seek new methods and
bold and unexpected solutions to create the possibility of
victoriously ending a war that has been forced on us.
Foreign Policy In the past, the
Republic of Armenia generally conducted its foreign policy
based on external directives. Today, in light of intensified
geopolitical and geo-economic movements in the region,
leading players are trying to direct the course of Armenia’s
foreign policy based on their personal and conflicting
interests, while impeding our diplomatic efforts to resolve
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. These
conflicts between superpowers in the region have
increasingly developed into tense competitions between
governments of the South Caucuses. To become victorious in
this conflict, it is necessary to conduct a bold and active
foreign policy. I will build inter-relations with the noted
powers with the intent of forging agreements that suit our
interests. In order to successfully
preserve our identity and political profile, and to
honorably represent Armenia in the international arena, our
government must intensify its efforts to adopt a coordinated
and aggressive foreign policy. Political and military
developments in the region and conflicting political
interests there, along with the expectation of geopolitical
movements in the region, require us to direct our foreign
policy toward the realization of our people’s vital
strategic interests and needs, and toward developing and
strengthening our government.
In foreign policy relations, it is imperative to be led
solely by our national interests. One of Armenia’s
priorities is to ensure that its standards correspond to
European Union standards. The
fundamental issue of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is an
integral part of the Armenian Cause. Until the legitimacy of
a liberated Karabakh is recognized internationally, the
Republic of Armenia must assist Karabakh in establishing and
developing international ties, and must ensure Karabakh’s
direct participation in negotiations for a peace settlement.
The settlement of the conflict must be unanimously approved
by the citizens of both Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
The establishment of relations between Turkey and Armenia
remains unresolved because the government of Turkey
continues its enmity toward Armenia, and continues to set
preconditions for establishing diplomatic relations and
opening its border with Armenia. This style of conducting
bilateral relations is unacceptable. Armenia must raise the
issues of Turkey’s enmity, the border issue, as well as the
Turkey’s responsibility for the Armenian genocide in
international courts. With the combined efforts of Armenia
and the diaspora, recent advancements in gaining Armenian
genocide recognition provide the foundation to conduct such
relations with the Turkish public.
The broadening and intensifying cooperation with our
immediate neighbors Georgia and Iran has strategic meaning
for Armenia. The formation of good neighborly relations with
Georgia creates solid conditions for Armenia to settle a
series of immediate issues. Armenian-Georgian relations are
important for the security and stability of the region, as
well as for the integration of countries of the South
Caucasus into the European Union, for bilateral and mutually
beneficial cooperation, and in defending the rights of
Armenians of Javakhk. Considering the unique conditions of
Javakhk and international experience in similar issues,
Armenia must create mutual agreements with Georgia that
economically, politically and culturally benefit Javakhk-Armenians
and those living in the neighboring regions.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is a major player in the
region. A balanced policy with this country serves to
maintain stability in the South Caucuses. There exist vast
possibilities to expand economic trade, transportation
agreements, means of transport communication and energy
development so as to allow the implementation of strategic
goals.
Armenia and the diaspora The Republic
of Armenia is the homeland of all Armenians. The president
of the country is called on to safeguard and protects the
interests of all Armenians. Positive activities and events
in the daily lives of citizens will have the greatest impact
in unifying and integrating Armenians. Armenia must be
transformed into a country that every Armenian dreams of.
Armenians must be convinced that the government is committed
to creating a life for its citizens, is guided by moral,
national and globally humane values, and is built on the
foundations of justice and legal equity.
The president of the Republic of Armenia must pursue: the
development and implementation of a comprehensive plan on
diaspora migration to Armenia; cooperation between the
spiritual leadership of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and the
Great House of Cilicia (Such collaboration holds great
significance in our national religious culture, as the two
leaders have the power to establish the premise and give the
blessing to unite the Armenian Apostolic Church into one
entity); multifaceted cooperation between Armenia’s mass
media and diasporan media; the creation of a pan-Armenian
media sector; the participation of diasporan Armenians in
Armenia’s economy, including actual investments.
The Republic of Armenia, working within the realms of
international agreements and internationally recognized
educational and cultural rights of its ethnic minorities,
must assist: in integrating Armenian communities to their
fullest based on Armenian language, culture and education;
and in strengthening Armenian political, cultural and
educational lobbies to benefit the advancement of the
Armenian Cause. In order to regulate
the complex and multifaceted relationship between Armenia
and the diaspora, study the dynamics of developing
relations, and direct the course of that development both on
government and public levels, we need to clarify the
problems and various tasks. An important step in
accomplishing this is the creation of a ministry on
repatriation. A unified effort by a
strong democratic Armenia and an organized diaspora will
guarantee the transformation of the Armenian government and
Armenians to become more effective and active throughout the
world.
* * *
If elected president of the Republic of Armenia, I
guarantee: a healthy moral and psychological environment,
social justice and accord; the establishment of an
even-handed public policy and order; the abolishment of the
“above the law” mentality; just and unbiased appointments
and a genuine fight against corruption; the redefining of
the role of government—from that of an indifferent player to
a responsible participant in securing the country’s stable
development; stable and quality economic growth and the
transformation from a consumer society to a more creative
and productive one; an export policy on industrial
production; the establishment of a competitive policy; the
disbanding of economic monopolies; the improvement of
investment and work environments, and the abolishment of
direct or indirect interference by high-level government
officials; the protection of ownership rights, intellectual
property rights, the rights of consumers, investors and
small shareholders, and the defense of legal rights; the
reevaluation of unsubstantiated privatizations and
conditions for concession buyouts; to define government’s
role in the production, import and services tied to
strategic matters concerning vital consumer products (fuel,
grains, sugar, medication, etc.); considerable increases in
wages, government assistance, retirement income and other
public incomes, and the eradication of poverty; the increase
in employment figures and in the country’s social,
educational, scientific and cultural indexes to meet median
European Union standards; and the equal and multi-centered
development of regions, better living conditions, the
encouragement of higher birthrates and an organized campaign
to encourage immigration to Armenia.
I am convinced that during these elections, just as I was
during the 2007 National Assembly elections, that if the ARF
platform is realized: each member of society will live
honorably in a harmonious and productive environment; our
country will become a scientific, educational, cultural and
financial center in the region; its competitiveness in the
intentional arena will increase aggressively; we will have
an influential and respected government; and Armenia will
become an effective player in the region and in the world.
Vahan Hovhannisian |
