Iraqi Armenians in different countries

The topic was discussed by members of an Iraqi Armenian group on Facebook:

Post #1 Ara Ashjian (Administrator)
I begin the topic with the difficulties that face Iraqi Armenians in Our Homeland. Most of Iraqi Armenians in Armenia (around 800-1000 in number) do not have a clear idea on their final destination (whether to remain in Armenia, return to Iraq or move to other countries). The Armenian government do not have a program to support Iraqi Armenians in Armenia to integrate them to the Armenian Society (to support Iraqi Armenians in work, housing, education, etc..) There is only an Armenian fund in the US which helps Iraqi Armenians resettle in Armenia for one year which is not sufficient.

Post #2N.
I wonder why the UN isn't starting a program like the one they have in Jordan, Syria, and Egypt to help the Iraqi Armenians to immigrate to the US?

Post #3S.
This is a good Point N. jan....Besides we have all those ARMENIAN CHURCHES around the world, isn't the time to STEP UP do something, as NON ARMENIAN churches do like ASSYRIANS, CHALDIAN, SRIAN.I think as an Armenian Iraqi group should write an official letter to Der Karekin GATOGHEEGOS, and pay his attention, i'm not sure if some people have done it, but we could do it again , inch ge gartzek ???

Post #4Ara Ashjian
Dear N.and S.,
This is connected to the "recent changes in U.S. legislation (that) have created new categories of Iraqis in Jordan and Egypt who are now eligible for Direct Access to the United States Refugee Admissions Program ". See:
http://www.state.gov/g/prm/c25771.htm
I think that Karekin Vehapar is not involved in this. He even would not encourage the moving of any Armenian from the Homeland to other countries.

Post #5A.M.V.
Generally speaking, how are those Iraqi Armenians treated in their mother land? do they get the same treatment local citizens have?

Post #6N.
No A.,
I know few people there and they're so sick and tired they say if Iraq calms down we'll move back to our homes. Can you imagine?One of my friends couldn't even open his own business.I know this for a fact. My uncle in Canada is working to bring an Iraqi Armenian family to Canada. He belongs to a protestant church though. But here's what he told me.When his church is trying to bring non-Armenian Christians, the government of Canada is allowing it. On one condition,the church has to sponsor those families for one year so they won't go on welfare.However, when it's coming to the Armenians the goverment is saying you have your own country (Armenia) and they're refusing them.They don't realize our country is Iraq despite us being Armenians.

Post #7A.M.V.
Thank you N., that's what I keep on hearing...
I think that it would be fair to imagine help or support coming from your own nation more than from anywhere else; I'm not necessarily meaning financially here, giving Iraqi Armenians the chance to compete for jobs based on their skills would be a good start.Won't this be a point where Der Karekin Vehapar can have an influence? or is it still a communist Armenia run by Mafia?...I've read about the Armenian - Canadian situation before back in June, http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/447476 tells the storySome are considering Armenia as a temporary stop place just to get the citizenship to be able to move on to "better" country in the future.What a sad comback.

Post #8 Ara Ashjian
It is really sad.
The Iraqi Armenian refugee program:
http://armenianreporter.am/pdfs/A0705-E.pdf
I think the program would have better impact in future.The difficulties of Iraqi Armenians resettled in Armenia are the same facing all the people in Armenia. Iraqi Armenians in Armenia who have residence documents (for 3 months, 1 year, 10 years) get the same treatment local citizens get. According to these documents you have all the rights of a citizen except for election. One can also apply for dual citizenship. The Iraqi Armenians need time and government’s support to integrate to the Armenian society. In general, like in Iraq or other countries, one can get job upon relations beside your qualifications. However, this is not always the case.

Post #9A.M.V.
Let's hope that the UNHCR program has been fruitful at least for the 800 - 1,000 Iraqis who made the move. The initiative has started before Dec 2007, $1.5M is obviously not much for a year expenditure, too bad that no key indicators are posted in that regard yet...Ara, you're absolutely right about the stronger support from the Armenian government. I'm already fancying Armenia as the perfect place to be for a retirement life!I would be more than happy to be left of politics and politicians, I don't imagine that anyone can stay sane while he/she is involved into it :)

Post #10 Ara Ashjian
A., Armenia is the right place for us to settle. However, you must have a job in Armenia, or someone abroad would support you!! The good news we got yesterday is that Hranush Hakobian, the Minister of Diaspora Affairs, said in a news conference that "We are developing a number of projects to streamline the process of Armenian citizenship receipt, to help Armenians return to the homeland and to help Diaspora youth enter Armenian universities".
http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=27891

Post #11A.M.V.
Let the numbers talk:-from Armenian 2009 budget http://www.messenger.com.ge"
The average salary of teachers will now be around USD 380 and doctors’ approximately USD 300"I wonder about the number of those willing to go back based on the aforementioned figures...on the other hand, I wonder why the program is focusing on Armenians of Latin America.As I said, Armenia does seem as a good place for people living on their retirements; a sarcastic but not far from reality point of view.It still looks like a long way till economy gets into shape, that's why I'd rather spend the same period of time in Iraq rather than starting a new adventure there. At least I'll be still having my beloved ones near.

Post #12Ara Ashjian
Dear A.
1. We shouldn't wait everything from the Homeland to give. We may not wait for its economy gets into shape (although Armenia has been achieving big progress in Economy in the last 10 years according to international estimates). We may participate in that. I can give you my example here: I sold my house in Iraq and bought an apartment here and made some investments. Other Iraqi Armenians made the same or other investments. I got a job here and the life is very nice with me!
2. We may find Armenia's example even in very developed countries (in not paying high salaries to officers). I know a German specialist, a holder of Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering,who works in a project in Armenia funded by the US government. He told me that in Germany they pay little to university lecturers not enough to meet life requirements.
3. The Ministry of Diaspora is newly formed. The program of Latin America is due to the special condition of the Armenians there. The Ministry wants to help all Armenians to return to Armenia.
However, this is my point of view. I do respect other views.

Post #13A.M.V.
Dear A.,
I really salute your attitude, if all of us Armenians followed similar steps, changes would have been more imminent. USA seems to be attracting more than Mayr Hayrenik, even if the latter is more remembered by words...(no offense intended)Generally speaking, what kind of investments are making a boon in Armenia? What do you expect to be the trend for nourishing it back, tourism can be a lively part of it for sure.I am aware of the large number of Armenians in Latin America, does that mean that they're generally poor? what special conditions are they going through?, excuse my ignorance on this. Some already say that wealthy Armenians are mostly in Latin Armenia..Thanks for your feedback, I've been following your blogs and publications since before and they've always been insightful.

Post #14Ara Ashjian
Dear A.,
Sorry for delay in reply as my computer was attacked by a hacker.
The largest foreign investors in Armenia are those who purchased interests in valuable Soviet-era state assets. Privatization of Yerevan's largest hotels, two historic brandy factories, the Zvartnots International Airport, the telecommunications network, several mining assets and much of the energy generation and distribution system accounts for the bulk of foreign commercial presence in Armenia. Greenfield investments are made up of mostly small and medium enterprises. More than a dozen U.S. information technology (IT) firms have established subsidiary operations in Armenia. There have also been new foreign investments in diamond processing, chemicals, mineral water bottling, television and the financial sector. Despite some obstacles to investment, particularly problems with corruption, Armenia's investment and trade policy is among the most open in the CIS.From 1998–2000 annual inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) ranged from $120 million to $230 million, though it fell to $75.9 million in 2001 in the wake of the global contraction of foreign investment following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US World Trade Center. In 2002, FDI increased 12% to about $85 million. A large share of FDI comes from the Armenian Diaspora in the United States, Russia, Iran, France, Greece, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Syria. Since 1998, the Lincy Foundation of Armenian American Kirk Kirkorian has made available about $165 million to support small and medium enterprise (SME) development (offering concessional loans for businesses that are at least 51% Armenian owned), assistance for tourism development ($20 million in 2000), and infrastructure repair ($60 million in 2002 and $80 million in 2003). Armenia's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2000 has helped improve the investment climate as a consequence of meeting the WTO's strictures for membership.Armenian National Statistical Service said almost 30 percent of direct investments or $26.4 million, generated from privatization of different entities. This not counting the amount of direct investments from a year ago rose 16.3 percent and that of indirect investments grew 37.5 percent.Some 65 percent of foreign investments in real sector of economy and 63 percent of direct investments went to the communication sector, 6.6 percent of direct investments went to aviation and 6.5 percent to food and beverage sectors. Foreign investments in Armenia in the last 15 years, since its independence from the former Soviet Union, have made more than $2 billion, of which $500 million were made in 2005.This amount of foreign investments inflow will build up a serious basis for dynamic and sustainable economic development. 50 percent of investments came from EU member countries, about 20-25 percent from Russia, followed by the USA, Argentina and Lebanon. The biggest investment-$132 million- was made in telecommunication, prompted by lifting ArmenTel's exclusive right in the mobile phone services.The main problem of Armenians in Latin America is the assimilation I think It would be, I believe, the start point to other countries like the US and the European countries.
Thank you for your kind words on my blogs and publications.

Post #15R.B.
I heard that the UN offered some assistance (food and money) to Iraqi refugees there.is it true?and is it satisfying?hope to hear from you soon..

Post #16Ara Ashjian
Like the past year, UNHCR offered food so far to Iraqi Armenian families in Armenia who have the temporary residence documents (for 1 year). This year they offered food according to the number of family members.

Post #17A.M.V.
Dear Ara,
Thanks for nicely summing up the Armenian diaspora news :)
IMO, one easy way to identify the progress is by comparing the Dram per US dollar:306.54 (current), 344.06 (2007), 414.69 (2006), 457.69 (2005), 533.45 (2004), 578.76 (2003) So it actually looks pretty good!However, Armenia can't rely for long on foregin direct investments without the economic reforms to fight down poverty and relatively high unemployment rate.Seeing a shift up in the services sector (especially communications) is a positive sign; this interst should be received by an equivalent embrace from the Armenian government else those improvements will be making the poor poorer and the rich wealthier...I hope that your computer is more immune now against those bad hackers!Take care

Post #18Ara Ashjian
Dear A.,
I fully agree with you in your analysis.My computer is in better condition now. But you can't ever prevent bad people from doing bad things!!

Post #19B.J.D.
Hello all,
The discussion is long, and I just started reading it and dint catch up on what was said on time, Anyways, I read more than half of the posts, and I wanted to add my input. Not sure if it has been repeated.Here in the US, the HOM, or Hye Oknutyan Miyutioun, in the Western region of the us. Mainly California, has established a fund, with both the Armenian Church Western Diocese and the Armenian Church Western Prelacy, and we In Arizona, Just received asking for Support, and donations. You know there is this thing about Organizations asking for monies to support a cause, and we always wonder, how much of this money actually reaches its destination?Is this Program affiliated with the Program Supporting Iraqi's to live In Armenia? Or is it For Armenians in Iraq only? To my knowledge, and from what we see sometimes in Satellite TV, Majority of Armenians Left the South and Baghdad and fled North, to the old towns of Havres, and other small towns. Churches have been built, but the question again is, how are these people are living? Does our money in the US that we donate, gets to them directly or indirectly or nothing at all???

Post #20Ara Ashjian
Dear B.
I think most of these donations go to Armenians in Iraq. The relief committee established in California provided monetary assistance to Armenian families there.In the HOM donation web site, the reason was mentioned: Aiding Armenians in Iraq. http://www.arseastusa.org/archive/news/arsnews0004.html
Donations were also made by the Karageuzian Foundation and other Armenian charities, the UK Committee for the relief of Iraqi Armenians, and the Armenian community of Germany.The donations received are announced and published by the Iraqi Armenian Diocese and are distributed to the applicants.The mission to help financially impoverished Iraqi-Armenians find refuge in their homeland – Armenia is done by the nonprofit organization, American Armenian Family Association – comprised of Iraqi-Armenians living in the United States – which had established a sub-committee Iraqi-Armenian Relief Fund.
http://iraqiarmenianrelieffund.com/

Post #21A.M.V.
Just thought to update you about an announcement made during the mass on 6-Jan, the donations coming from the US by the Armenians will be disbursed on all the Iraqi Armenians that will come forward and apply for it, the submission date has been extended till the end of this month so that more people can benefit from it. Once the donations are given, each recipient will be signing a receipt acknowledging delivery and their names will be announced to the public to ensure transparency.The whole scheme looks good except for the publicity involved, I'd expect that it'll be uncomfortable to some needy ones in regards of defining them to the rest of the community..