ARF Supreme Council of Armenia Representative, Armen Rustamian

YEREVAN (Combined Sources)—In the aftermath of the 17th Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Assembly of Armenia, which took place over the weekend, a press conference was held to discuss the decisions made at this assembly.

The Assembly, which began on July 5 and concluded on Sunday in Vanadzor, elected a new 11-member ARF Supreme Council of Armenia. Rustamian, was joined by Mikael Manukyan, Hratchia Tatevosyan, Spartak Seyranyan, Arsen Hambarstoumyan, Artsvik Minasyan, Aghvan Vartanian, Romik Manoukyan, Hovik Tatevosyan, Vartan Aleksanyan and Artashess Nikoyan to form the new body.

Rustamian will be the chairman, also referred to as the party representative, while Vartanian and Hambartsoumyan will share a vice-representative title, a first for the ARF Supreme Council of Armenia.

Rustamian and Hambartsoumyan presented the key decisions of the party, which included the ARF’s posturing vis-à-vis the upcoming presidential elections slated to take place in February of 2013.

Rustamian said that the party planned to run a candidate in the upcoming race, adding however that if “we are able to bring together the opposition, which exists today in Armenia, the upcoming presidential elections can truly become the first serious opportunity to claim the government.”

The ARF leaders called for complete regime change, outlining the many breaches the current authorities have made in Armenia’s socio-political reality, usurping the national wealth and operating with impunity.

“Our assessment is very clear: the foreign and domestic policies of the Armenian authorities have been a complete failure. There have We have troublesome steps back in all areas,” said Rustamian.

The Supreme Assembly also issued an announcement at the conclusion of the meetings, emphasizing the party’s commitment to creating an atmosphere of trust in the current where citizens are guaranteed their rights and social justice.