Assad’s downfall detrimental to Syria’s Armenians – expertDecember 8, 2011 - 13:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Bashar al-Assad’d downfall may prove detrimental to Armenian community of Syria, according to the director of the Oriental Studies Institute at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences. As professor Ruben Safrastyan told a news conference in Yerevan, “Armenian community was perfectly integrated into Syria’s society, Assad’s regime securing their safety and prosperity. The downfall of current leader will jeopardize Syria’s Armenians, with pro-Islamic forces fighting against the regime known for their intolerance to Christians and specifically, Armenians.” The expert was also concerned over the strengthening of Ankara’s regional presence, which might increase further were pro-Islamic forces to come to power. Safrastyan noted the possibility for Syria’s Armenians immigrating to their historic homeland as undesirable in view of the country’s modest resources. “Still, Armenia must be ready for it,” he added. Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Partner news | U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |