HEAD OF ARFD FACTION: EVERYTHING SHOULD BE DONE TO HOLD DIASPORA A PART OF ARMENIANHOOD
arminfo
2008-06-16 17:53:00
ArmInfo. As compared with the Russian, Ukrainian and Polish Diaspora,
the Armenian Diaspora wasn’t created as a result of political
migration. It was created as a result of the Armenian Genocide in 1915,
and the intolerable financial living standards during Armenian first
president Levon Ter- Petrosyan’s term in office at the end of the 20th
century contributed to the Diaspora’s expansion, Vahan Hovhannisyan,
the chairman of the ARF Dashnaksutyun Party’s faction, a member of
the ARFD Bureau, told ArmInfo correspondent.
He said that Armenia should do its best to hold Diaspora a part
of Armenianhood. He noted that the genocide continues as every
day hundreds of Armenians can’t resist difficulties in different
countries. He added that Armenians face even political pressure in
some countries. "We should suppress such phenomena which are the
result of the Genocide, we should unite Diaspora’s representatives
around Armenia", the MP said. He stressed that before the past
few decades it was possible to address the issue of maintenance of
Armenian communities due to ARF Dashnaksutyun, Armenian Apostolic
Church and other organizations. "Today, however, there is a Republic
of Armenia, and it is our state that should address this issue. In
this connection, the Ministry of Diaspora’s Affairs should carry out
much work", he stressed.
Hovhannisyan pointed out that the minister of Diaspora’s Affairs should
be non-partisan as Diaspora’s Armenians have some discrepancies in
this matter.
"I am sure than an ARFD representative could have solved these problems
fairly. We intend to take an active part in this ministry’s work. I
think that the Armenian Diaspora’s representatives, which know
Armenian communities perfectly, may be appointed deputy ministers
of Diaspora’s Affairs", Hovhannisyan said. According to him, the
ministry of Diaspora’s Affairs will contribute to addressing the
issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
To note, the Ministry of Diaspora’s Affairs will be set up in
October 2008.
As ArmInfo correspondent was told by a parliamentary source, Hranush
Hakobyan, the chairwoman of the parliamentary standing commission
on education, science, youth and sport, a member of the Republican
Party of Armenia, will be appointed the minister of Diaspora’s Affairs.