Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Artsakh is, perhaps, the most pivotal issue facing the Armenian Nation today, as outside forces, once again, are using it to advance their divergent political and economic agendas and vying for a resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that is not beneficial to the interests of the people of Artsakh or the Armenian Nation and poses a direct threat to Armenia’s national security.
The four-day war in April illustrated the fragility of the situation in Artsakh and a recent report that indicated 165 combatants lost their lives in 2016—up from 76 in 2015—has compounded the volatility that plagues the everyday lives of Artsakh residents.
The April war and the fact that the Artsakh Liberation Movement will enter its 30th year next month, propelled the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western United States Central Executive to dedicate the celebration of the party’s 126th anniversary this weekend to Artsakh and highlight the role the party has played throughout the party’s history.
Interestingly, the challenges facing the ARF founding fathers—Rostom, Kristapor, Zavarian–are not much different than the ones facing our nation today. Issues of oppression, tyranny, persecution and threat to our national security still exist on a daily basis. By clinging on to the basic tenets of its genesis, the party has been able to adeptly address the challenges facing the Armenian Nation and its aspirations.
This past year, the continued military threats and attacks against Armenians in Karabakh, coupled with the international mediators’ effort to corner Armenia to make a swift decision in resolving the conflict, have emboldened the ARF and its affiliate organizations around the world to ensure the freedoms and the gains made through the blood of our brothers and sisters are not squandered for political gains that will not benefit Armenia or Artsakh.
In this region alone, through outreach to the community, much-needed funds were raised to meet the immediate and extended needs of the people of Artsakh. The Armenian Youth Federation’s “With Our Soldiersâ€
