ARA ABRAHAMIAN ON RECENT NOTORIOUS EVENTS IN RUSSIA

AZG Armenian Daily
22/11/2006

In the course of a meeting at RA Writers’ Union on November 20, Ara
Abrahamian, Chairman of the World Armenian Congress and the Union of
Armenians of Russia touched upon the recent notorious events in Russia.

"We live in the Russian Federation, according to its laws and
Constitution, I cannot bring the members of the World Armenian
Congress (WAC) and the Union of Armenians of Russia to the streets of
the Russian towns and declare war to the nationalists", he said in
response to a question about his attitude to the recent of murders
of Armenians and RA citizens in Russia. He stated that after each
murder in the territory of Russia, it becomes known in 5 minutes.

The attorneys of the World Armenian Congress work, an active
cooperation with the Russian law machinery is carried on and, as a
result, clearance of a number of murders of Armenians in Russia,
committed on a national ground. At the same time, Abrahamian
stated there is still much to do in this direction. He reminded
that the representatives of WAC and the Union of Armenians of
Russia hold meetings with the Russian youth, delivered lectures,
telling them about the history of Armenia and the Armenians. As for
the coming parliamentary elections, Ara Abrahamian stated the World
Armenian Congress (WAC) will define its preferences in the coming
2007 Parliamentary elections in Armenia by January 2007. Besides, he
called for the Armenian political parties to refrain from ambitions
and come out with clear program documents. "Having studied the
program of each political party, the WAC and the Union of Armenians
of Russia will define their position," Abrahamian said. Touching upon
the issue of Armenia’s relations with its closest neighbor Georgia,
Mr. Abrahamian said that Armenia should build its relations with
Georgia grounded on a well-developed governmental program. He added
that the Armenian authorities have to clearly explain the Russian
authorities that any economic sanctions against Georgia will also make
harm to Armenia. "They should explain to Moscow that Georgia does
not suffer from closing the Upper Lars checking point, but Armenia,
their strategic partner in the region suffers. So, be so kind to find
some alternative, some way out," Abrahamian said.