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The Structure
Two years following its
establishment, in 1892, the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun adopted a
decentralized form of structure, which has evolved according to
the conditions of specific periods.
Presently, the
organizational structure of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun is a
decentralized worldwide structure, composed of organizational
regions, each with grassroots local chapters. The local chapters
annually elect their executive committees (Gomideh). On a
regional level, at an annual or biennial regional conference
composed of locally elected delegates, the regional executive
committee is elected. Regional conferences also elect delegates
to the ARF World Congress, which is convened once every four
years. The ARF World Congress is the highest policy setting
organ of the party; it adopts or modifies the party’s Program,
statutes (regions decide on their regional structures), and
strategy of the party. The World Congress also elects the
party’s highest worldwide executive body, the Bureau. The
regional conferences, guided by the strategy set forth by the
World Congress, draw up their regional policies, which are
executed by the regional executive bodies.
The ARF 30th World
Congress was held in May 2008, in Armenia.
At all levels of the
organization, there are functional committees and departments
which deal with specific aspects of the organization
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Foreign Policy &
Strategy
Armenia-Turkey
and Armenian-Turkish Relations
a) Genocide
Recognition
For the last four decades,
the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun and its affiliates have led the worldwide
efforts for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide of
1915-1923. The ARF believes that Turkish-Armenian relations
cannot develop healthily so long as Turkey continues to deny the
fact of the Armenian Genocide and its responsibility in that
regard. The recognition by Turkey of its responsibility in the
Armenian Genocide would be a minimal assurance that it would not
resort to the same methods, and would lead to a mutually
beneficial dialogue.
b) Blockade/Borders
The blockade enforced by
Turkey against Armenia since 1993 is an expression of hostility,
which has been also demonstrated by the fact that Turkey has
refused to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia since
Armenia’s independence in 1991. Turkey has set preconditions for
lifting the blockade. The ARF’s position is that Armenia should
not give in to those preconditions.
c) Armenian Rights
The geopolitical
constraints Armenia faces today are a direct consequence of the
Armenian Genocide and Turkish aggression against Armenia in
1920. Armenia and Armenians have their individual, collective
and national rights violated by Turkey. The ARF-Dashnaktsutyun
believes that Turkey should be encouraged by its allies and the
international community to recognize these rights.
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Policy Principles
The basic principles of
the ARF strategy are:
a) The source of ARF’s strength is its
ideology, its organizational structure, its individual member’s
commitment, its historical past and the Armenian people;
b) The ARF is independent in its
policies and practices;
c) For the ARF, authority and national
leadership role are not self-serving, but rather means to
resolve national and social problems;
d) For the ARF, free exchange of ideas
and pluralism are basic ingredients needed to form public
consensus and unity vis à vis issues of national importance;
e) The ARF values the participation of
all segments of society — especially women and youth — in public
life;
f) The ARF gives priority to issues of
national significance as opposed to segmental and localized
scope;
g) For the ARF, building of an
economically prosperous, socially just and democratic state is a
guarantee for Armenia’s independence and security
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Karabagh (Artsakh)
Karabagh is an integral
part of Armenia and the ARF has pursued its reunification with
Armenia. The annexation of Karabagh to Azerbaijan was a result
of arbitrary machinations by Stalin in the early 1920s and the
people of Karabagh have never accepted that arrangement.
During
Soviet rule, at every opportunity, and most recently in 1988,
the majority of the Karabagh population had peacefully raised
their quest for reunification with Armenia; Azerbaijan responded
by violence not only in Karabagh, but all over Azerbaijan. In
Karabagh, Armenians defended themselves and in 1991, declared
the formation of the Mountainous Karabagh Republic.
A just and
lasting resolution of the Karabagh conflict should guarantee
security and viability for Karabagh and Armenia. Eventually, the
de facto reunification with Armenia should be granted de jure
recognition. Attaining this recognition is a priority for the
ARF-Dashnaktsutyun.
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Javakhk and Georgia
Another region of major
concern for the ARF is the historically Armenian region of
Javakhk (Samtskhe-Javakheti) in Georgia. Successive ARF World
Congresses, attaching great importance to close
Georgian-Armenian relations, have adopted a pragmatic approach
to the resolution of political, socio-economic and cultural
problems facing the Armenians of Javakhk.
ARF World Congresses
have agreed with the demands raised by the Armenians of Javakhk
that a Javakhk with a high degree of self-government within a
federal Georgia would be able to sustain itself and would become
a strong link in Georgian-Armenian relations.
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