Refugee inflow may become extra burden to Armenia economy – expert

PanARMENIAN.Net - The head of Alternative research center predicted the inflow of Armenian and foreign refugees to Armenia in 2012 given current situation in Iran and Syria.

In a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, Tatul Manaseryan characterized the development of events described as highly undesirable.

As he noted, the inflow of refuses may prove an extra burden to Armenian economy. “However, on the other hand, the arrival of Iranian entrepreneurs may give a new impetus to the country’s economic competitiveness, thus boosting the economic growth,” the expert said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Iran would not be permitted to build or obtain nuclear weapons, even as a senior House Democrat raised concerns about a building drumbeat for war against the Islamic republic. "If they proceed and we get intelligence that they are proceeding with developing a nuclear weapon, then we will take whatever steps necessary to stop it," Panetta said.