YEREVAN.- The headquarters of Armenia’s Heritage Party issued a statement regarding the upcoming elections and creation of a single headquarters by the political parties.

“As a principled advocate of free and fair elections—and of sincere cooperation among parties in the conduct of good elections—Heritage recognizes the necessity of discussing relevant proposals submitted by any other interested entity. Three such proposals have recently been presented. One is authored by Hmayak Hovhannisyan, chairman of the Union of Political Scientists and parliamentary candidate for the Prosperous Armenia Party. Another proposal is authored by David Harutyunyan, representative of the Armenian Republican Party. And a third proposal is authored by Samvel Nikoyan, chairman of the National Assembly and representative of the Armenian Republican Party.

Heritage rejects Nikoyan’s proposal as completely unfeasible. With only 5 MPs present at the plenary session during which it was introduced—most of them from the Heritage Party—the Fourth Session of the National Assembly showed that Armenia’s parliament has ceased to exist as a functional structure.

Regarding the other two proposals: Heritage holds that no agreement is viable unless it subordinates any previously-signed political documents that contradict its letter or spirit. Furthermore, Heritage suggested that the new documents adopt a clear stance against bribery (including charitable works during the campaign season)—and that the new documents be signed by the highest-ranking member of each party, to ensure the highest measure of accountability. As both suggestions were rejected, we can only state our serious doubt in the efficacy of these proposals.

We also express our frustration with political forces which sign documents—or express willingness to sign documents—supporting free and fair elections, while they continue to commit illegal violations against the most basic standards of free and fair elections.

We do not accept merely superficial collaborations toward free and fair elections. At the same time, it is not in our nature to accuse our colleagues in opposition, who take part in imitation processes, for following “state orders” in the “crystallization” of a new kind of coalition that enjoys the illusion of legitimacy.

The Heritage Party is ready to sign under any formal document, be it among nine parties or four, if certain prerequisites are met:

1. Only those political parties that are not already violating the provisions of the initiative can take part in the initiative.

2. The document must be signed by the highest-ranking member of each participating political party in order to assume both personal and collective responsibility for its provisions.

3. The agreement must include provisions on the inadmissibility of: a) bribes of any kind; b) charitable work intended to draw votes; and c) the wrongful collection of citizens’ passports.

We wish success to all parties participating in the electoral process. We will continue doing what we have done throughout our political history—which is to struggle with the people to realize free and fair elections and to defend the integrity of all votes. We are also ready to present all of our evidence concerning violations of the electoral process to law enforcement agencies, and to all structures and alliances, even in the absence of our formal affiliation with them.

We also reaffirm our right to present our independent, comprehensive assessment of the elections on May 7, 2012.”