ARF Takes Part in Kurdish Conference

YEREVAN (ARF Press Office)—A delegation representing the Armenian Revolutionary Federation attended the third convention of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Party, which kicked off Tuesday in the Suleimanieh area of Iraqi Kurdistan.
The ARF was represented by Bureau member Dr. Mikirdits Mikirditsian and ARF Political Director Giro Manoyan.
Attending the openings session of the conference, which marked the 35th anniversary of the party, were PUK Secretary General and Iraq’s president, Jalal Talabani, Iraqi Kurdistan leader and chairman of the Kurdistan Democratic Party Masoud Barzani, Iraq’s prime minister, Nouri al Malaki, as well as representatives of political parties, diplomats and delegations to the convention. Also attending the conference were a delegation of the Social Democratic Party of Sweden, headed by its chairperson Mona Saline, Socialist International’s Women’s president Pia Logatteli, a representative of the French Socialist Party and Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party representatives.
In his remarks, Talabani welcomed the ARF’s participation in the meeting. The ARF Bureau also conveyed greetings to the convention, which were presented by Mikirditsian. Below is the complete text of the ARF’s message to the convention:

Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun Bureau (Armenian Socialist Party) Message to the 3rd Conference of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan
Dear President Jalal Talabani,
Dear President Massoud Barazani,
Dear guests and comrades of the PUK and sister parties,
On behalf of the Chairman of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun (Armenian socialist party), I salute all participants of the Third General Congress of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan commemorating the party’s 35th anniversary.
As members of the Socialist International both our parties have a number of common ideals and common goals; among others peace, security and understanding between nations.
The theme of the present congress, “Strength through unity,” is not only emblematic for the future well-being of the badly hit communities composing present-day Iraq, but also very important for the relations between the peoples of the region, particularly the Kurdish and Armenian peoples; there is a long common history of those two very ancient entities living side by side during the last three millennia in this part of the world, cradle of the most original world civilizations.
The common experience of our two nations indicates clearly that each time we were opposing each other we have both suffered severely and each time we have cooperated we have been able to defend our rights at least partially. The lack of continuity in a common policy has had catastrophic consequences; Armenians have been subjected to genocide, which is until this date denied recognition by its main perpetrator, whereas Kurds have postponed indefinitely the realization of their right to statehood; this very autonomous region of Kurdistan within Iraq has given at last a hope for real self-government.
The tragic lessons taught by modern history have to guide us in our future relations. Unity is in fact a precondition for strength. Strength is an instrument of war but at the same time an instrument of peace. On the other side peace is a stable condition only if it is based on justice. Let us agree, that our common space has been and is an arena where social, political, historical injustices are still awaiting for a solution.
Therefore, we fully accept the validity of the theme of the present General Congress wishing you a full success.
Dr.Mikirdits Mikirditsian
Bureau Member of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun