Ministry of Diaspora

[Tigranakert]

Re: Ministry of Diaspora

Ofcourse, it is not correct what he is saying. I have had many friends who served the military, and compared to other countries (Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan) they treat our soldiers very well. In every country and in every military you got problems, that is just the case if you put thousands of man together. One thing we can especially be proud of is the prepareness and organization of our military.

Federate, it is a shame the Armenian goverment is not supporting his own VAHAN. What could be the reason for this? Russia may not want Armenia to make/produce any weapons and Armenia really gets military hardware almost for free, so that it is not worth it do pump millions of dollars to make VAHAN's. The most important thing is to have the inventions, like VAHAN's, and a crisis-plan to produce own weapons in case Russia can not deliver them anymore. Research & Development could be the good answer, again where an ''Diasporan Investment'' agency could help.

There is more difference Federate, the culture and ideology of j-e-w-s is very different from the Armenians. I live in the Netherlands, a friend of mine who I know for five years (I always thought he was Dutch), said he was leaving with his entire family for Israel. He was a j-e-w and never, never I have noticed something in the past five years of his xxxish heritage. The point is, a lot of j-e-w-s who get rich in Holland (and elsewhere) sell everything they have, their house their business and move to Israel with let's say 500.000 dollars, buy a house and start a business there. Because they know it is their duty to help build Israel, it runs through their veins.

The problem with Armenia is ofcourse the corruption, but this corruption is the result of the ''culture'' of a large part of the Armenians. They haven't seen money or wealth for such a long time, that if they get rich they can still feel good driving a top BMW next to poor homeless Armenians. When I was in America, all the Armenians did in LA was showing off how ''rich' they were and what an amazing expensive ''car'' they were driving. The same is going on in Armenia.

Also, when Armenians are poor in Europe or America, most of them do not return to Armenia, they wait and hope for a better future. I know an Armenian who is living in Holland for a few years, he has no job, a small television and one bench. He was a gamble-addict. Why for godsake is he staying in Holland, all alone without a wife, with nothing but stress? Armenia is ten times better, but this is ''Europe'' he thinks. Here his future lies. When Armenians get rich, they say it is better here, we have a house a job and everything we want. It is not in our ideology to sell everything and move back to Armenia and begin a business or what so ever. This ofcourse lies with the corruption too, but what has improven a lot these years.

How can we change all this? I think the only solution is a truly nationalistic goverment, who can change the mind and touch the soul of Armenians worldwide, really giving them the feeling they are wanted and giving all the assistence they need repatriating back to the motherland.

[UrMistake]

Re: Ministry of Diaspora

true,goverment has asked armenian diaspora to come back 4 times in the past,all the times they just disappointed,lest just stop asking from diaspora to only give,i had this armenian from diaspora he has restorant and whene he got the armenian pasport he whos like hapy like hell so proude that he whas now armenian,whene he travel to armenia with some diplomats from embasy he again got disappointed,he say that this pasport that he been given worth of nothing and if got there alone they will robe him with big prices.

[yerazhishda]

Re: Ministry of Diaspora

Ofcourse, it is not correct what he is saying. I have had many friends who served the military, and compared to other countries (Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan) they treat our soldiers very well. In every country and in every military you got problems, that is just the case if you put thousands of man together. One thing we can especially be proud of is the prepareness and organization of our military.

Federate, it is a shame the Armenian goverment is not supporting his own VAHAN. What could be the reason for this? Russia may not want Armenia to make/produce any weapons and Armenia really gets military hardware almost for free, so that it is not worth it do pump millions of dollars to make VAHAN's. The most important thing is to have the inventions, like VAHAN's, and a crisis-plan to produce own weapons in case Russia can not deliver them anymore. Research & Development could be the good answer, again where an ''Diasporan Investment'' agency could help.

There is more difference Federate, the culture and ideology of j-e-w-s is very different from the Armenians. I live in the Netherlands, a friend of mine who I know for five years (I always thought he was Dutch), said he was leaving with his entire family for Israel. He was a j-e-w and never, never I have noticed something in the past five years of his xxxish heritage. The point is, a lot of j-e-w-s who get rich in Holland (and elsewhere) sell everything they have, their house their business and move to Israel with let's say 500.000 dollars, buy a house and start a business there. Because they know it is their duty to help build Israel, it runs through their veins.

The problem with Armenia is ofcourse the corruption, but this corruption is the result of the ''culture'' of a large part of the Armenians. They haven't seen money or wealth for such a long time, that if they get rich they can still feel good driving a top BMW next to poor homeless Armenians. When I was in America, all the Armenians did in LA was showing off how ''rich' they were and what an amazing expensive ''car'' they were driving. The same is going on in Armenia.

Also, when Armenians are poor in Europe or America, most of them do not return to Armenia, they wait and hope for a better future. I know an Armenian who is living in Holland for a few years, he has no job, a small television and one bench. He was a gamble-addict. Why for godsake is he staying in Holland, all alone without a wife, with nothing but stress? Armenia is ten times better, but this is ''Europe'' he thinks. Here his future lies. When Armenians get rich, they say it is better here, we have a house a job and everything we want. It is not in our ideology to sell everything and move back to Armenia and begin a business or what so ever. This ofcourse lies with the corruption too, but what has improven a lot these years.

How can we change all this? I think the only solution is a truly nationalistic goverment, who can change the mind and touch the soul of Armenians worldwide, really giving them the feeling they are wanted and giving all the assistence they need repatriating back to the motherland.

Abrik, well said comrade!

[hipeter924]

Re: Ministry of Diaspora

I think that the Foreign Ministry website needs an upgrade as well.

http://www.armeniaforeignministry.com/

It could be better really.

[meline]

Re: Ministry of Diaspora

Couldn't agree more with you Tigranakert

QUOTE=Tigranakert;253525]Ofcourse, it is not correct what he is saying. I have had many friends who served the military, and compared to other countries (Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan) they treat our soldiers very well.

[/QUOTE]

My youngest cousin serves in the RA army right now, and I subscribe to what you say. The last time I spoke to him was in the beginning of January, while I was in Armenia, and judging from what he says the conditions are quite good.

The problem with Armenia is ofcourse the corruption, but this corruption is the result of the ''culture'' of a large part of the Armenians. They haven't seen money or wealth for such a long time, that if they get rich they can still feel good driving a top BMW next to poor homeless Armenians.

Correct, although I believe you and Federate are touching on different aspects of the issue here. You are both dealing respectively with the cause and effect of corruption.

How can we change all this? I think the only solution is a truly nationalistic goverment, who can change the mind and touch the soul of Armenians worldwide, really giving them the feeling they are wanted and giving all the assistence they need repatriating back to the motherland.

I agree with you, but please, let me add something. Of course, the truly nationalistic government is the driving force behind all development. But still, there is us, the Diaspora too. As long as we stay confined to our discussions, debates, intellectual skirmishes on the internet, in our comfortable homes, so far away from Hayastan (don't get me wrong, I live in the Benelux too), we are no good. Without active involvment and commitment, we might just as well forget about the whole thing.

[Tigranakert]

Re: Ministry of Diaspora

----

[Tigranakert]

Re: Ministry of Diaspora

Doctrine of Armenia-Diaspora cooperation discussed in Yerevan

24.12.2008 17:25



Marianna Gyurjyan
“Radiolur”

For a few month now the Ministry of Diaspora of Armenia and the International Center for Human Development have been working out the doctrine of development of the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, determining the principles and priorities and predicting their results.

“The five scenarios of the doctrine of development of the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation include both realistic and unacceptable provisions,” RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan says.

Participants of today’s discussion were reading the scenarios, analyzing their perspectives and making suggestions and remarks.

The preliminary text of the doctrine has been submitted to the consideration of Diaspora Armenian organizations. After final text of the doctrine is elaborated, it will be presented for the Government’s approval.

“We organized this discussion to give an opportunity to different layers of society to express their opinion and participate in the elaboration of the doctrine. Thus, we will be able to make the final text of the doctrine more comprehensive,” the Minister of Diaspora stated.

[Tigranakert]

Re: Ministry of Diaspora

Presidents Sargsian and Aliyev to meet again in Davos on January 28
Nalbandian and Mamedyarov to meet beforehand in Geneva

by Tatul Hakobyan

Published: Friday January 23, 2009


Edward Nalbandian, Armenia’s foreign minister, reviews the year 2008. Yerevan, Jan. 21, 2009. Photolure

Yerevan - The president of Armenia Serge Sargsian and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev are expected to hold talks at the International Economic Forum at the Swiss town of Davos on January 28. This will be their third meeting as presidents. Previously they held talks in St. Petersburg in June and in Moscow in November, where a joint declaration was signed along with the Russian president.

Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Matthew Bryza (USA) and Bernard Fassier (France), co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, held meetings with the presidents and foreign ministers of both sides on January 19 and 20 during a visit to Baku and Yerevan. During these meetings, the decision was made for the Davos meeting on January 28 between the two presidents and a Geneva meeting between the foreign ministers on January 27. The Karabakh authorities report that the mediators did not visit Stepanakert due to bad weather.

In an interview with Radio Liberty, Mr. Bryza expressed hope that an Armenian-Azerbaijani framework peace deal could be brokered by the summer.

"Our target is to try to have it signed in the beginning of summer, in June or so. So there is certainly a chance. That's exactly why we are here. It depends on, number one, whether the presidents have found a way or can find a way to build on mutual understanding and positive feelings they have about each other and turn that into concrete steps. I hope so. We had a pretty good response in Baku. It also depends on whether society understands what is being proposed," he added. "Because if they do understand it, they will support it. So we've got some work to do."

During a January 21 press conference summarizing the foreign ministry's activities in 2008, Foreign Minister Edward xNalbandian declared, "such an opportunity will exist only when Azerbaijan shows a constructive position and truly moves toward solutions.

"However, I would be careful with such declarations and would not make any prognosis. It is not right to set deadlines for such difficult negotiations," he added.
Karabakh's role

At the end of December, political factions within Karabakh's National Assembly issued a joint declaration asserting: "Karabakh cannot be a participant to the diplomatic efforts to change the established balance in the conflict zone, and will not bear responsibility for any agreement that is reached without the consent of the people of Karabakh."

Mr. Nalbandian in turn asserted, "It would be difficult to imagine any solution" without Karabakh's participation in the negotiation process. According to the foreign minister, "The solution is a time-consuming process. If we come to any solution, the results of the negotiations will be presented to the public not only in Armenia, but also in Karabakh. Without the assistance of the Armenian and Karabakh people, no one will sign anything."

A reporter asked Mr. Nalbandian whether he could state, as foreign minister, that Armenia will be opposed to Karabakh being a part of Azerbaijan under any circumstances. The foreign minister replied, "The people of Karabakh should express their opinion on this issue. The people of Karabakh must have the right to express freely how they are willing to live. We have said on many occasions that there are various ways of expressing one's opinion, including referendums. And you know how the people of Karabakh will express themselves."
New proposals?

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister xElmar Mamedyarov, after meeting with the co-chairs stated that the mediators had presented some additional solutions to the proposed basic principles of the settlement.

"We are now working on these solutions. Azerbaijan emphasizes the following position: return of the occupied territories, return of forcefully displaced people, and at the resolution of the conflict, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan."

Mr. Nalbandian disputed his counterpart's report: "I do not believe that there is any truth to that announcement, because the co-chairs, in their meetings with us in Armenia, did not present us with any changes. We discussed how to bring the positions closer to each other during negotiations, based on the Madrid Principles, in the spirit of those declarations made in Moscow and Helsinki, within the frames of the OSCE."
CFE compliance

The Armenian Foreign Ministry's summary report for 2008 states that Armenia has continually maintained that Azerbaijan violates the armament standards stipulated in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE). According to the requirements of CFE and the 1999 Vienna Document, Armenia's annual military information was presented to the Joint Consultative Group and Conflict Prevention Center of the OSCE. Within the framework of CFE and the Vienna Document, eight visits of supervisory groups of other countries and the group for assessment of Vienna Document were organized jointly with the Defense Ministry of Armenia.

Recently, Baku officially declared that in 2008 Russia supplied Armenia with arms worth $800 million. Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, denied this statement in his annual press conference.

The Russian Foreign Ministry says that the reports are anti-Russian misinformation and are not conducive to the positive development of friendly Russia-Azerbaijan relations.

[Federate]

Re: Ministry of Diaspora

Razmik Arzooian finds permanence in the homeland
A repatriate discovers solace among the mountains

by Maria Titizian

http://www.reporter.am/go.cfm?path=/go/article/2009-01-23-razmik-arzooian-finds-permanence-in-the-homeland&pg=1

[Tigranakert]

Re: Ministry of Diaspora

The Armenian Republic and Diaspora should share one single position



The first step is already made: Minister of Diaspora Affairs Hranush Hakobian apologized to the Armenian-repatriates who in 1946-1948 were exiled to Altai and Siberia.
There exist only two countries most of whose population live outside their historical homeland. These countries are Israel and Armenia. 2/3 of Armenians and xxxs live outside their fatherland, and this fact plays a pernicious role in the countries’ development. What the Armenian and xxxish Diasporas have in common is that they both appeared as a result of persecution. The only difference is that if the xxxs were exiled from their habitat for 2000 years on end, the Armenian Diaspora was formed comparatively recently – at the beginning of the 20th century. The Armenians’ expatriation from Western Armenia reached its peak in 1915 when the Young Turks massacred and deported almost 2 million Armenians. Thus, it was exactly the Armenian Genocide that caused Armenians to disperse all over the world, a fact we have been repeatedly writing and speaking about.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ When in the territory of Western Armenia the Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia (Armenian SSR) was established, Armenians began to return to their so-called conditional homeland. About 40.000 Armenians from different countries had managed to come to Soviet Armenia by 1936. A post-war Soviet myth said the matter concerned «repatriation of forcedly displaced Armenians». Under Stalin rule the subject of Armenian Genocide was prohibited, and those who mentioned it were instantly declared «enemies of the people» and were, at best, exiled to Siberia or to Altai. In fact, Armenian Diaspora existed in lots of countries and part of it sincerely believed in the new, fair structure of the post-war world. Moreover, part of the Diaspora was subjected to communist ideas, especially in relatively poor countries like Syria, Lebanon, Greece, and Bulgaria. However, people migrated from other countries too, such as Romania, France, Yugoslavia, as well as Iran, Iraq, and the USA…

It is not a secret that it was especially the communists that got many Armenians living abroad to return to their home country. It was not repatriation, however, since inside the borders of Armenian SSR never was Armenia the fatherland of her ancestors - emigrants from Western Armenia. The motivation for returning was the desire «to build the Soviet State». Firstly a separate district committee was formed for the new comers, many of whom joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). By the way the new special district committee was to be found in the Zeytun District of Yerevan, and the site is still called “Raykom” (meaning “district committee” in Russian).

About 100.000 people returned till 1948. In 1948 Stalin “advised” Malenkov to think if there were no American saboteurs among the repatriates… On the next day Malenkov informed Stalin about a bomb planted by Armenian repatriates on the motor ship «Pobeda» in the port of Batumi. Under this pretence repatriation of Armenians was completely ceased, and it resumed only after Stalin’s death. Since 1953 in a few years another 30.000 people came back to their motherland.

The tradition of Armenians’ returning to Transcaucasia was maintained for rather long in Soviet times too. For the whole Soviet period there were three main flows of repatriation: in 1921-1936 (42 thousand), in 1946 (the biggest flow – 90-100 thousand), and in 1962-1982 (32 thousand). The first post-war flow of immigrants came mostly from Lebanon and Syria, as well as from Iran and Greece-Cyprus. Of the whole flow of repatriates about 2/3 came from the above-mentioned countries. Rather considerable (several thousands from each country) was also the immigration from France, Egypt, Bulgaria, and Romania. The last flow (3/4) consisted of immigrants from Iran. The total number of Armenian repatriates of the Soviet period is estimated at about 180 thousand.

However, repatriates found it rather difficult to settle down in Soviet Armenia, and it was especially them or their children that looked forward to leaving the USSR. At the first opportunity, in 1956, initiated and increased the flow of Armenian emigration predominantly to the West – to France, USA, Australia, and Canada. The total number of Armenian emigrants in 1956-1989 is estimated to be 77 thousand. The overwhelming majority – about 80% - left for the USA.

For a long time the problems of Diaspora were not discussed in new and independent Armenia. The reasons for such silence are not quite clear, if we take into consideration the fact that Armenia managed to survive only with the help of its Diaspora. Diaspora renders assistance also to Nagorno Karabakh. All this is common knowledge but for some reason it is remembered only occasionally. However, things seem to be moving recently. We already have a Ministry of Diaspora Affairs that is to bring together the position of all Armenians in the world, which is rather hard in itself. The first step is already made: Minister of Diaspora Affairs Hranush Hakobian apologized to the Armenian-repatriates who in 1946-1948 were exiled to Altai and to Siberia.

In the words of RA Prime-Minister Tigran Sargsyan, “Together with her Diaspora Armenia is quite a different country, and we can’t but take this into consideration in the 21st century. The world is changing rather speedily, and the country’s authorities can’t afford another mistake in the issue of repatriation. We must do our best to avoid another apology to the Armenian Diaspora.”

It is rather unlikely that all Armenians should live in one country; it is neither realistic, nor is it necessary. Without a strong Diaspora it would be impossible to solve such Armenian problems as recognition of the Genocide or lobbying of laws, which enable Armenia to develop in a regional blockade. However, it should be observed that the voice of Armenian lobby can sound much louder and much more effective, if it expresses the viewpoint of the whole Armenian State, like it was in the case with Israel. Otherwise what we have now is RA and Diaspora acting by themselves, which in the present state of affairs is quite unacceptable.

Karine Ter-Sahakyan