OSKANIAN: “LOOKING BACK, I CANNOT SAY WHERE ARMENIA WOULD BE WITHOUT DIASPORA”
PanARMENIAN.Net
29.03.2006 00:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Since declaring independence Armenia made much
progress: US providing considerable assistance to Armenia, trade
privileges, equal military aid, progress in Armenian Genocide
recognition, clear perception of the geographic, historical
and economic limitation of Armenia by persons forming its public
opinion. Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated it when addressing a forum
on Armenian issues in Washington. He specifically noted, “Looking back,
I cannot say where Armenia would be today without the Diaspora. The
Diaspora can promote Armenia, which will a demonstration of its
dreams, values. The Armenian community of the US will contribute to
Armenia, which will be an ally of the United States. And we are friends
indeed. We are partners in fighting terror, non-proliferation of arms,
providing for regional security, rule of law, democratic and economic
freedom. We are not mere ideological partners, we share values America
is based on.” Speaking of the development of democracy in Armenia,
Oskanian said, “State building was different for Armenia than it was
to the US, as we had to break the previously functioning system and
to build a new one. Owing to that we welcome various US programs. We
also appreciate the fact of offering additional, targeted assistance
for holding normal elections in 2007 and 2008. However, democracy is
more than elections. Democratic institutions and processes are not an
ultimate aim. They are also a tool to form the necessary political and
economic atmosphere, which will result in a proportional growth. Thus,
democracy is a tool for development, just like development stimulates
democratization.”