Robert Kocharian's speech at The Armenia-Diaspora Conference

From: "Panossian,RS  (pg)" <R.S.Panossian@lse.ac.uk>
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1999 17:22:31 -0000
Subject: Kocharian speech at Armenia-Diaspora Conference
Message-ID: <116DF9642B30D1119D530000F800DC3704E2A937@exchs3.lse.ac.uk>

President Robert Kocharian's Speech at The Armenia-Diaspora Conference (09/22/1999)

This is President Robert Kocharian's keynote speech at the Armenia-Diaspora conference. It was delivered on 09/22/1999, and subsequently published in Hayastani Hanrapetutiun, 09/23/1999, pp.1-2. Below is a translation with some minor omissions. PLEASE NOTE: This is not an official translation, nor is it done by a professional translator. I have tried to keep the wording as close as possible to the original, although this particular speech
cannot be considered a direct word-by-word rendition of the Armenian text. The text in quotation marks is a direct translation. I have translated this for my own use, and share it with the Groong readership -- Razmik Panossian
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In the history of our people, today we are opening a new page. We need new categories and a new quality in our national self-organisation. In the international context of economic globalisation, new information technologies, unity of pan-human characteristics, etc., the Diaspora is no doubt an asset with its economic power, political links, and accumulated experience. Therefore, it is of essential importance to maintain (pahpanel -- save and defend) the Diaspora. It is very important to find the correct mechanism of cooperation. "Armenia has much to give to the Diaspora, and the Diaspora has much to give to the fatherland."

The national arch-problems (azgayin gerkhndirner) facing Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora can be solved with highest national unity. "It is obvious that the idea of national unity has been the constant tread/guide (ughekits) in Armenian reality." Based on past experiences, we should clarify national priorities through dialogue, and we must find organizational ways through which it will be possible to move the dialogue to the plane of solving essential problems. We have no other choice. This is not about creating a new organizational
system to replace the structures already operating in the Diaspora or in the fatherland. But it is about the acceptance of a completely new quality in (level of) cooperation, within the parameters of which each organization will, I believe, have the opportunity to participate. It is not enough to clarify the priorities of national-political,
economic, scientific-educational, health, cultural, media and other issues, but to emphasize the plans of how to realize them [end of page 1 in newspaper text].

For the Diaspora, the greatest issue still remains the imperative to maintain identity, and to reproduce itself with minimal loss of national qualities. No matter where Armenians live, the general and collective characteristic remains historical destiny, historical memory, and the natural responsibility towards national preservation.
The problem of remaining Armenian in the Diaspora is not just an abstract and emotional issue; it is an essential issue. First, for the continuation and future of Armenian statehood. Hence, the state's role towards the Diaspora is based on the following domains:

1) Create the necessary conditions and possibilities in order to maintain Armenianness in the Diaspora.
2) Defend the interests and human rights of Diasporan Armenians at the level of international norms.
3) Create for Diasporans favorable conditions to take part in the strengthening of national statehood, and in the solution to pan-national issues.
4) Assure possibilities so that Diasporans can participate more actively in the creation of national values, giving a permanent and coordinated nature to their activities in spiritual, cultural, scientific and other realms.
5) Create for Diaspora Armenians conditions that will give them the legal-civil rights to live in Armenia. This will realize the motto "Armenia is the fatherland of all Armenians." This, no doubt, assumes the acceptance of dual citizenship. [This point was emphasized in the speech, adding that the constitutional barrier to dual citizenship must be lifted. That phrase was not in the printed text.]
6) Create in Armenia structures that will take into account the need for multilevel relations with the Diaspora.
7) In the international relations between Armenia and other states, take into account the local Diaspora as a factor.
8) Initiate and assist in the creation of pan-national public structures in various domains.

"All the national structures of the Diaspora, no matter where they are, have had one arch-problem: to struggle against the loss of national identity, national values, qualities, and the step by step weakening of historical memory." A Diaspora separated from national statehood is condemned to be an extinguished historical memory. Every new generation inevitably is one step further from national identity. "It is our belief that the Diaspora can become an active, self-perpetuating and permanent national factor, both in individual countries and as a general condition, if it has coordinated and harmonious relations with the reality of national statehood and the fatherland." From this perspective, the Diaspora has two missions:

a) the constant problem of maintaining national identity, through its own efforts and with the assistance of independent Armenia;

Vazgen Sarkisian's speech at The Armenia-Diaspora Conference

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Dear Groong readers,

Once again we're privileged to benefit from Razmik Panossian's notes from the Armenia-Diaspora Conference.

Asbed

From: "Panossian,RS  (pg)" <R.S.Panossian@lse.ac.uk>
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 23:00:09 -0000
Subject: Vazgen Sarkisian's speech at the Armenia-Diaspora Conference
Message-ID: <116DF9642B30D1119D530000F800DC3704E2A89D@exchs3.lse.ac.uk>

Vazgen Sarkisian's speech at The Armenia-Diaspora Conference (23/09/1999)

[This is a fairly close translation of the Armenian text, as it appeared in the press the next day (Hayastani Hanrapetutiun, 24/9/99, pp.1-2, under the heading "The 21st Century is to be Ours"), with some very minor cuts. I have cross-checked the recorded version of the speech with the printed version and the two are 99% the same. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSLATION, NOR AM I A PROFESSIONAL TRANSLATOR. I have done this for my own use, and would like to share it with Groong readers. Comments in
square brackets are my own additions -- Razmik Panossian.]

Listening to your comments yesterday, I admit that I totally changed my speech, understanding, with great joy, that there is no need to make historic, moral, and patriotic pronouncements. Everything is clear. The century began with tragedy for us, we continued with achievements and losses, and we have the imperative to end it
with victory. We want the 21st century to be the era of unity, the strengthening of statehood, and prosperity. Based on this, I want to assert certain realities, and to give the government's answers and suggestions to them.

Reality number 1: Armenia is no longer an abstract and mysterious fatherland, which needs to be discovered. Rather, it is a real, independent country.  This is Armenia's third republic, with its permanent achievements,  with its unlimited problems and uncertainties.

Reality number 2: The Armenian republic has solved two of the three arch-problems (gerkhndir) facing it at this historic juncture:

a) It has won the [Gharabagh] war forced onto it, achieving an earned peace.
b) With the aid of the people, of the rulers and political forces, it has established lasting internal political stability -- which is the most serious basis for the success of future essential tasks.

Only two days ago, we marked the anniversary of Armenia's independence. With pride, we greeted the victorious army's military parade. And, I am convinced, we realized that only pan-national unity of will, and unity of forces, brought independence to Armenia and saved Artsakh from destruction.

Believe me, today the economic development (verelk) of Armenia is as important as victory in the war was yesterday. Our battle has moved from the field of blood and heroism, to the economic field. Hence, our strategy must change too; from assistance -- for which we will not thank you in order not to offend your honor -- to
substantive cooperation. We must give much more productive and organizational shape to our emotional and spontaneous relations.

History demonstrates that the peoples who win are the ones who are more organized and rational. And this is our 3rd arch-problem and reality simultaneously.

Let us look at questions emanating from this problem: many preconditions are necessary in order to realize a new organizational dimension; but the most important one is the moral-psychological (baroyahogebanakan). Unfortunately, both in the fatherland and in the Diaspora, the examples of conflicts leading to disunity and separation are many. First and foremost, mutual trust and tolerance are essential for us. And the first indications of these must come from the fatherland. We will begin improvements from the inside of the country, from the government, from the Prime Minister.

As a start, I am declaring in the name of the government of the Armenian republic: 1) The government not only can, but is obliged and is ready to treat the Diaspora as an equal partner.  2) The government is ready, where needed, to address issues related to legal, financial, and taxation improvements. (To secure solutions to legal and administrative disputes related to contracts [text in round parentheses was not read during the speech --RP].)  3) The government realistically accepts that the invested capital does not have a sense of nation belonging, even if it is in the hands of investors with Armenian origins. Cooperation with the fatherland
has to be economically profitable. Investments in Armenia must be beneficial. [I assume he meant beneficial to Armenia --RP.]  4) The government understands that no financial investments will take place if correct and fair rules are not cultivated and realized, and made known to the public. All information related to investments and loans received must be made public and explained by  the President of the republic through the state and mass media.

In order to restore trust, and to develop transparent financial-economic means, the Armenian government has already adopted certain concrete measures:

1) A government committee is established, headed by the Prime Minister, to monitor loans, grants, and humanitarian assistance received. This means that responsibility is also fixed. From now on, the government, and the prime minister personally, is responsible for funds (i.e. the loans, grants, assistance received) which are
misused or disappear.

All Armenian governments [in the past] believed that it was enough to give personal guarantees to foreign investors, assuming that they will invest in our markets and grow. But we are not naive. We understand that investors do not demand, in the first instance, personal guarantees, but structural guarantees -- clear and
unchanging rules of the game. Let us, however, accept that the shaping of such structures is a huge task and takes time, and which we must realize together. In the meantime, the first step is the political will to do this. I am, with all responsibility, declaring that the government of the Armenian republic has that will, and is ready to assume the responsibility. Try it and you be convinced.

2) With the National Assembly, we are to create in the upcoming days a joint council (handznazhoghov) which will examine a series of loan programs, which have created some noise. The guilty ones will be known; this will prevent the repetition of similar incidents in the future.

3) With the World Bank and the US Embassy we are developing a comprehensive program to combat corruption, which, without doubt, we will implement.

A bit more in detail about corruption. Corruption in Armenia has, unfortunately, reached serious proportions. But not as serious as we ourselves are presenting. We are "making a hair into a post." Such self-criticism often sounds like "it is impossible to live in this country, it is impossible to do business in this country..." Why? Who does this country belong to? Who are the residents of this country? Lately, an extremely dangerous philosophy has emerged: some are even using such excuses to leave the country.

Dear Armenians, sisters and brothers, believe me, no one is criticizing Armenians to the extend of such  rejection, of such self-denial, that we are criticizing ourselves. This is making us worse in the eyes of foreigners. We are creating such a moral-psychological environment within which it is impossible to grow the seeds of tomorrow. This county is our difficult but priceless fatherland. Is it possible to leave the fatherland? Who is upsetting you? On the 15-16th of every month, I am declaring a day of reception on economic issues. I am ready to receive all of you, from Armenia and from the Diaspora. Let us see who is it that is disturbing you. This, obviously, is once again a personalized and not comprehensive solution.

I am also suggesting a structural solution. In the next 5-6 months we will create for external and internal investors an agency to provide them with assistance and services. This will be the Armenian Development Agency (Zargatsman haykakan gortzakalutiun). This will be a unique window between Armenia and the world. A one stop center, where every potential investor can receive solutions to all problems concerning him -- from the moment of being greeted at the airport, to legal, administrative, technical and other services.  Through this Agency, it will be possible, without bureaucratic delays, to register any company and to receive for its operation all the permissions and certificates.

The Agency will be a real bridge between foreign businessmen and the Armenia's administration, enabling Armenia's administration to know the problems faced by the businessmen.

(The government guarantees the maximum transparency of this Agency [text in parentheses, not read during the speech, but in the written text --RP].)

The Agency will be directly subordinate to the Prime Minister. It will have the possibility to work directly with the President, with the Chairman of Parliament and other branches of the administration.

The leadership bodies of the Agency will be comprised of the council of trustees (hogabardzuneri khorhurd) wich will include internationally recognized businessmen and benefactors, as well as leaders of authoritative international organizations. There will also be an executive council (tnorenneri khorhurd) which will include all the economic ministers within the government, and representatives from the Diaspora.

In general, in the 4 executive bodies (varchutiun) of the Agency, the Diaspora will be represented as equally as Armenians of Armenia. (It is desirable that the executive council's president be a Diasporan Armenian [text in parentheses not read during the speech --RP].)

Finally, the Agency will be run by the best and the most knowledgeable people, who will work in the best possible offices, receiving high salaries without being dependent on anyone.

The government is assuming the cost of this and all other related expenses.  The creation of branch offices of the Agency abroad is being envisioned, notably in London, NY, LA, Beirut and Moscow. Let us think from today onwards, I ask you, about the best cadres of Diaspora Armenian that can be made available [for this project]. It is also possible that the best of the young and student Diaspora Armenians can work here during their vacations.  (As mentioned by the President yesterday, to bring Diasporan youth to Armenia, the Armenian government decided to provide one of its resort buildings at Tzaghkadzor to visiting youth [clap, clap... Text in parentheses does not appear in the published version, but was added during the speech --RP].)

After independence, Armenia's administration established links mostly with known Diasporan organizations and prominent individuals. This has left out many successful individuals, mainly young, who are far from the community's structures and organizations, from party activities. In this "silent majority," no doubt, there will be people whom we must be able to link with the fatherland's economic activities. The experience of the near
past also reminds us that the new plans of economic cooperation must remain far from the political domain.

What are we proposing? In relation to this and related issues, we are proposing to this conference to establish a Council (handznazhoghov), half of whose members -- at the very least ­ and its leader, to be Diaspora Armenians [con't on p.2 of newspaper text]. The Armenian Development Agency can serve as a working body
for this Council. It is desirable to hold mini-conferences for the Council, including Diasporan businessmen, companies, political and economic activists. The government will be willing to assume the costs of such events. The result will be real and mutually beneficial plans.

Despite the difficult conditions, the economy of Armenia has wide potential.  We will try to convince you of this tomorrow at the business forum and the trade-fair of Armenian products. I am specifically referring to metallurgy, chemical industry, water resources, farming (?- kyiughmterk). I am not even mentioning the
serious intellectual potential.

These realities are also affirmed by the fact that the president of the World Bank, Wolfensohn, proposed to jointly organize with the Armenian government in 2000 an international businessmen's forum -- to which we have of course agreed. I ask you to seriously think about this proposal. Many of you will soon receive an invitation from Mr. Wolfensohn and I. Believe me, the passivity of Diaspora Armenians [to invest] in Armenia is leading to serious doubts among foreign investors.

I would like to refer to one other important issue. It is about the economic role of Armenian embassies. They can become important hubs of regional communications, an appropriate communications means between the fatherland and the Diaspora.

Thank you for the financial assistance which the communities have given to the embassies, particularly in the first phase of their activities. In 2000, the Armenian government will assume the responsibility to provide the embassies with all the administrative and staff (komunal-kentsaghayin) expenses. We must secure the appropriate running/living expenses of the embassies and ambassadors, and their independence.  Simultaneously, their responsibilities will increase, including -- and particularly in -- the realm of economic cooperation. Your assistance to the ambassadors must be focused on more general, political issues such as lobbying, investments, and perhaps in certain places, on problems related to [i.e. acquiring/maintenance of] buildings.

I am also proposing to create through this conference a permanent working-coordinating group which will coordinate all proposals, and  will prepare the documents for discussion/analysis. In the worse case, by the next (Armenia-Diaspora) conference the doubts between the Diaspora organizations, and toward us, will be dissipated. In the best case, this will assist in the creation of a pan-national coordinating body which will be able to distinguish between the various problems, and identify the most important, giving directions for their solution.

We have become so cautious, that I am thinking: are we not taking the eye out, instead of shaping the eyebrow? In any case, let us take my words as that of a previous straightforward defense minister. No! we are not going take the eye out of anyone. As they say in diplomatic language, our unity is not directed against
anyone. It is to work for, not against.

Look at the world powers, what they have achieved. But us, we are still debating to hurry or not to hurry, to say or not to say "Armenia-Diaspora or Diaspora-Armenia."

What are we waiting for? The last step to Armenia's economic ruin? The abandonment of Armenia by  Armenians? Or, until the followers of the sects are more numerous than the apostolics? [This part, his
tone was particularly forceful --RP.]

Why not say it? There are issues which Armenia is going to tell the Diaspora, and there are issues which the Diaspora, without feeling restrained, must tell Armenia. And so that this "to say/not to say" is regulated, any body of pan-national trust must be necessarily created. The sooner the better.

When we are together we must be cautious only of our desires since they are becoming realities. Let our examples begin from Sardarapat, to the heroic struggle for Artsakh, the Goris-Lachin Highway, the success of 907.  Unfortunately, we have more counter-examples.

I promised not to be emotional, and I did not succeed. I did not succeed because your humble servant [!!-RP] is not the Prime Minister of a well-to-do country; since the Armenian people is not living a life appropriate to its experienced suffering and to its talents. I am hopeful that in 2001, when we gather once again for the occasion of the 1700th anniversary, conditions will be relatively better. This is our chance. We are going to turn the
20th page of history together and with success. I am optimistic.

On the hill in front of Khor Virab altar I also see the image of Noah facing Mt Ararat. I am seeing the prosperous future and honourable living appropriate for this small collective, for the residents of these mountains, who have witnessed (handisatsatz) the rebirth of humanity and of Christian civilisation. For this to
materialise, we need only one thing. To use our chance, not to rely on the last possible opportunity, but to use it today, from this moment, and believe me, the 21st century will be ours.

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Regards,

Asbed
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