World Armenian Congress Proposes Coord. of Armenia-Diaspora Relns

Panorama.am

16:22 16/09/06

WORLD ARMENIAN CONGRESS PROPOSES TO SET UP COORDINATION UNIT OF
ARMENIA-DIASPORA RELATIONS

The World Armenian Congress (WAC) proposes to set up a ministry or any
other structure for coordination of Armenia-Diaspora relations, Ara
Abrahamyan, WAC chairman and head of Union of Armenians in Russia,
told a press conference Saturday.

In his words, 10 years ago the political situation in Armenia was much
better than today. Any conflict in the region and any sanction to this
or that country negatively affect the political situation in Armenia.
`To meet the challenges, Armenia and Diaspora must unite,’
Abrahamyan said indicating to the need of a joint national program.

Abrahamyan says the Diaspora uses only 1-2% of its potential but it
can become much stronger if close ties are established with the
government. `We need the support and mediation of the Armenian
authorities,’ WAC chairman said.

Abrahamyan indicated that the major issues for WAC today is the
recognition of the Armenian genocide. The organization has submitted
mechanisms for such recognition to the Armenian foreign ministry in
May proposing to apply to the International Court in Hague. Besides,
Abrahamyan said WAC lawyers have found documents in Russian archives
that have been closed to everyone until today. /Panorama.am/