YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Before closing on September 23–the Armenia-Diaspora Conference adopted a Declaration and a statement concerning the Karabakh problem.
A decision was made to have the Commission for Forum Preparations continue its work and form working groups that will continue discussing for 2-3 months issues related to advocacy–Diasporan’structures–information technologies–the economy–culture–and national identity. All the expenses of the work will be covered by the government. Prime Minister Vazgen Sargssian said that although there is a gap in the budget–it will endure these expenses.
At its evening plenary session on September 23–the Armenia-Diaspora Conference issued the following communiqu:
"Today–on the threshold of the new millennium–representatives of all parts of the Armenian nation have gathered in the capital of the Republic of Armenia to discuss the challenges brought before our nation and to establish universal priorities under the circumstances which face us today.
"We have a common history–common fate and common goals–and we must achieve an even greater unity of our forces in order to achieve these goals. To act in closer cooperation–we must learn to compromise and accept any peculiarities of the Armenian community and juxtapose our activities with far-reaching initiatives.
"The growing strength and upheaval of the Republic of Armenia proceeds from the interests of all Armenia’s–as Armenia is the homeland of all Armenia’s. An Armenian–no matter where he is–feels common responsibility for ensuring the economic and spiritual progress of the Republic of Armenia…
"The Republic of Armenia is ready to assume its share of the responsibility to ensure the participation of the Diaspora to realize these goals. Our state will utilize all of its institutions to render assistance as needed for the progress of the Diaspora’.
"All component parts of our national integrity–the Republic of Armenia–Karabakh and the Diaspora–are interrelated.
"We find that the Republic of Armenia and its state structures need to revisit their role to champion the interests and aspirations of the Diaspora…
"Armenia’s can’t be "strangers" in their native land and the Republic of Armenia pledges to remove the constitutional hurdle banning dual citizenship to enable each Armenian to establish his permanent presence in his Motherland…
"We reaffirm our desire to defend the historical rights of the Armenian people through combined efforts. We vow to achieve the international affirmation of the 1915 Genocide of the Armenia’s through combined efforts.
"We believe and are full of resolve in realizing our national goals–aspirations–dreams in common unity in order to ensure the proper development of the Armenian people in the new millennium."