THE INTELLIGENTSIA GETS AQCUAINTED WITH THE VLLAGE PROGRAM

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[08:03 pm] 05 September, 2006

Vartan Oskanian claims that the third Armenian-Diaspora conference
which is to be held on September 18 will be based on the
intelligentsia.

"I do think that there is ideology in it. The moment will be
historical, and we shall have a chance to look behind and share our
opinions on our past, to analyze whatever we have done and to plan
our further actions together with joint efforts," Vartan Oskanian
told the representatives of the Armenian intelligentsia during his
meeting in the Writers’ House.

Though the preliminary agenda of the 3rd Armenian-Diaspora conference
is already ready, The Minister assured that the opinions of the
intelligentsia will be taken into account as well.

The Foreign Minister claims that the number of the Diaspora
participants will outnumber 2000 by the start of the conference.

The conference will focus on the development program of the rural
areas. In comparison with the previous two conferences a number
of practical issues will be discussed this time. "There has been
significant growth in Armenia in the previous years. But unfortunately
it is not obvious in rural areas. Each visitor immediately notices
that there is a huge gap between the capital and the rural regions. We
must attach great importance to these regions if we want to have a
developed country as the migration mainly generates from frontier
regions, " noted Vartan Oskanian.

The initiators of the conference have chosen 50 frontier villages,
made survey. They will work out a program on the bases of their results
and implement it. "This will have a continual character." Asked how
they intend to gain the confidence of the public Mr.

Oskanian answered that the program is initiated by the Diaspora and
they will gain the confidence through this program..

By the way, a final document will be made at the end of the conference
which will be presented to the Armenian authorities and Diaspora
representatives.