PEASANT FROM JAJOUR CONCLUDED THE SESSION

A1+
[06:30 pm] 20 September, 2006

The last forth session of the conference "Armenia-Diaspora" was
dedicated to national values, historical communities, language and
culture, future plans and policy, as well as the situation in the
Diaspora in 2020 and the changes in the relations of Armenia and
the Diaspora. The theme was very large; hence the discussions were
very hot.

Representatives of Armenia and the Diaspora asked questions to
state officials, the Prime Minister, the Presidents of the NA and
the Constitutional Court and those who made speech. The Armenians
of the Diaspora mainly made offers about enhancing the relations and
for economic development.

The majority of the question remained unanswered as not all the
officials were present in the hall. We decided to ask RA Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan what he thinks about the offer to create
a Ministry of Diaspora. "I think we do not need that structure in
order to regulate relations with the Diaspora. That structure can
even hinder the development of the relations, but that’s only my
subjective opinion".

Representative of the USA Nubar Afeyan who presided over the meting
offered to finish the session immediately after the speech of Sahak
Shiroyan from Jajour. Shiroyan announced with his voice trembling with
excitement that the peasants are not protected in Armenia. He said
that the aid from Diaspora does not serve its aim. The residents of
the village live badly as water and seeds are very expensive, and they
do not have corresponding equipment in order to cultivate land. The
Armenian peasant announced that only those who bribe officials are
able to get humanitarian aid.

Holding a passport in his hand he said it belonged to a woman from
his village who participated in the Karabakh war who is now unable
to get humanitarian aid.

This is where Nubar Afeyan found that the session should be concluded.