"WE SHOULD TRY TO GATHER IN THIS LAND AND LOOK AT THE FUTURE:" INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON REPATRIATION PROBLEM ORGANIZED IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
http://www.nt.am?shownews=1010562
Dec 15, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. A conception-program on repatriation
will be worked out in Armenia and according to RA Minister of Diaspora
Hranush Hakobian, a deep, scientific study of repatriation experience
of the Soviet period should be conducted for it. Besides, as the
Minister affirmed it, programs should be worked out contributing
to repatriation of thought and spirit, study of resources and
possibilities both in Armenia and in the Diaspora, clarification
of problems and tasks regarding repatriation, ways and methods of
repatriation fulfillment.
As Hranush Hakobian mentioned at the opening of the 3-day international
conference under the title 1946-48 Repatriation and Its Lessons:
Repatriation Problems Today held in Armenia, world repatriation
experience, national and international legislation regarding
repatriation should be also studied.
According to the Minister, the conference, very likely, announces the
start of a new type and new quality of Armenian people's repatriation,
first of all, repatriation of spirit and thought, return to the
Armenian identity.
The conference has a goal to analyse all mistakes, omissions of the
past, to listen to all specialists, and to come to a right conclusion.
In his greeting speech to conference participants RA President Serzh
Sargsyan, in particular, mentioned that "The state will do its best
to contribute to establishment and preservation of Armenian national
identity, as well as to repatriation. It will not only contribute to
Armenians' physical return to the homeland, but also will assist to
the everyday struggle of our brothers and sisters against assimilation
in foreign lands.
"The homeland always waits for its sons, it is never late to return,"
President's message read.
The message of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II read that
repatriation is not only RA state, but also national problem. "Only
fragments have remained from our mighty colonies today. Today our
compatriots face the danger of physical and spiritual extermination
in the Diaspora."
RA Ombudsman Armen Haroutiunian mentioned in his greeting speech
that first of all we should create a democratic, legal homeland, if
the situation in the human rights sphere remains the same as it is,
an Armenian, for instance, living in France will not try to come
to Armenia.
ARFD Bureau member, RA NA ARFD faction head Vahan Hovhannisian
emphasized: "Only those, who share and make part of Armenian people's
collective fate, are Armenian." According to V. Hovhannisian's
evaluation, dual citizenship is the only right legal way of
repatriation, but the dual citizenship institution is not completely
and effectively used in society so far.
VivaCell company Director General Ralph Yirikian presented those
present with his experience of returning to the homeland and addressed
two calls to those present: to Armenians abroad: "come, see, breathe
Armenia's air," and to Armenians living in Armenia not to leave
Armenia: "Let's work together and make prosperous the country together
and show to the world that we, Armenians are not 3 million, we are 10
million, we should try to gather in this land and look at the future."
Noyan Tapan
http://www.nt.am?shownews=1010562
Dec 15, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. A conception-program on repatriation
will be worked out in Armenia and according to RA Minister of Diaspora
Hranush Hakobian, a deep, scientific study of repatriation experience
of the Soviet period should be conducted for it. Besides, as the
Minister affirmed it, programs should be worked out contributing
to repatriation of thought and spirit, study of resources and
possibilities both in Armenia and in the Diaspora, clarification
of problems and tasks regarding repatriation, ways and methods of
repatriation fulfillment.
As Hranush Hakobian mentioned at the opening of the 3-day international
conference under the title 1946-48 Repatriation and Its Lessons:
Repatriation Problems Today held in Armenia, world repatriation
experience, national and international legislation regarding
repatriation should be also studied.
According to the Minister, the conference, very likely, announces the
start of a new type and new quality of Armenian people's repatriation,
first of all, repatriation of spirit and thought, return to the
Armenian identity.
The conference has a goal to analyse all mistakes, omissions of the
past, to listen to all specialists, and to come to a right conclusion.
In his greeting speech to conference participants RA President Serzh
Sargsyan, in particular, mentioned that "The state will do its best
to contribute to establishment and preservation of Armenian national
identity, as well as to repatriation. It will not only contribute to
Armenians' physical return to the homeland, but also will assist to
the everyday struggle of our brothers and sisters against assimilation
in foreign lands.
"The homeland always waits for its sons, it is never late to return,"
President's message read.
The message of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II read that
repatriation is not only RA state, but also national problem. "Only
fragments have remained from our mighty colonies today. Today our
compatriots face the danger of physical and spiritual extermination
in the Diaspora."
RA Ombudsman Armen Haroutiunian mentioned in his greeting speech
that first of all we should create a democratic, legal homeland, if
the situation in the human rights sphere remains the same as it is,
an Armenian, for instance, living in France will not try to come
to Armenia.
ARFD Bureau member, RA NA ARFD faction head Vahan Hovhannisian
emphasized: "Only those, who share and make part of Armenian people's
collective fate, are Armenian." According to V. Hovhannisian's
evaluation, dual citizenship is the only right legal way of
repatriation, but the dual citizenship institution is not completely
and effectively used in society so far.
VivaCell company Director General Ralph Yirikian presented those
present with his experience of returning to the homeland and addressed
two calls to those present: to Armenians abroad: "come, see, breathe
Armenia's air," and to Armenians living in Armenia not to leave
Armenia: "Let's work together and make prosperous the country together
and show to the world that we, Armenians are not 3 million, we are 10
million, we should try to gather in this land and look at the future."