Deputy Director of the Public Institute of Political and Social Research of Black Sea-Caspian region (PIPSRBCR), Gagik Poghosyan, is concerned about the events occurring in the Arab world. According to him, these events have a direct impact on Armenia as we have enormous Armenian communities there.
In the interview with Aravot.am, Mr. Poghosyan was surprised these events seem do not bother Armenia while it should be the contrary because what is happening in the Arab world can sharply cause big losses to Armenians. “Not the collapse of the Arab countries is terrible, but the fact that we have large Armenian communities there that are disappearing before our eyes, and, unfortunately, we are unable to do anything. We have already lost the Armenian community in Iraq, so to speak, it is ruined, now, the same thing is happening in Syria, especially in Aleppo. Kesab was perished several times, now, it is the turn for Beirut, where there is a big Armenian community too.”
He noticed that one and a half months ago, the explosion of the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Deir ez-Zor did not bother everybody, because many believed that the explosion has happened in a desert. “No, this memorial was in the center of the city and it was exploded. It was a clear message directed specifically against us, it was committed against the most valuable building of our sanctities. Surprisingly, nothing was said about it during the Centennial. But this was the kind of a slap across the Armenians, I am astonished.” The expert considers the assaults on Aleppo as result of the Turkish policy.
To our question of whether thus Turkey is executing the second genocide, Mr. Poghosyan continued, “Of course, there are certain forces backing Turkey. Whether it is a genocide or not, I have difficulty in saying it as it is not directed specifically against us, although they also use it against us. The matter is in the wording. This is a matter of a very delicate wording, which the scientists should have.” To our question of whether there is a problem of evacuation of Armenians from the Armenian communities in the Arab countries, and why Armenia is not trying to make steps on this issue, our interlocutor replied, “Certainly, there is a need for evacuation, but I am sure that Armenia would not go for such steps. And I am astonished that our republic does not apply for such steps. They had to do it still from the first steps of Iraq.”
To the question of perhaps Armenia has set a task to maintain the Armenian colonial communities in Arab countries, therefore they do not commence an organized evacuations, the expert disagreed, “It is impossible to maintain a colonial community when an annihilation is going on.” As said by the Deputy Director of the Public Institute of Political and Social Research of Black Sea-Caspian region (PIPSRBCR), they have initiated to hold regular discussions and researches on the events occurred in the Arab countries and their impact on the region, jointly with the scientists and politicians. Yesterday, the first meeting was held. “We would seek organizing international conferences in Armenia, with the participation of professionals invited from outside,” added the Deputy Director of the Institute.
Arpine SIMONYAN
