Armenians in Iraq struggle for existence, Armenians of Lebanon are concerned about their future

PanARMENIAN.Net - "Peculiarity of Armenian communities in Middle East is that language and national spirit maintenance is at a higher level than in other communities of the Diaspora," Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon, Vahan Ter-Ghevondian said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net



"Despite a kind of recession observed during the recent years and emigration, the centers of religious, political and sports keep functioning," he said.



"Besides, Lebanon has a distinctive feature. Here, the Armenian community is entitled to have deputies in the parliament, propose candidacies for high posts," he said.



"Unfortunately, during the recent 40 years political and economic shocks in the region negatively affected the life of the Armenian community. As result of "Egyptian socialism" building in 1960-ies and the civil war, the Armenian community reduced by two thirds. Along came the Islamic revolution in Iran and the Iran-Iraq war. The U.S. intrusion into Iraq and Israel's last year attack on Lebanon ranks among the misfortunes. Today, the Armenian community of Iraq struggles for existence while Armenians of Lebanon are concerned about their future," he said.

Full text of the interview