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“Armenia and organizations engaged with providing help to the Syrian-Armenians have done and are doing everything to support the incoming population from Syria, yet the number of Armenians still residing in Aleppo are not keen to leave the city. This is the reality and I wonder what the reason is beyond that, publicist, editor at Arevelk newspaper Sako Arian said during an interview with Panorama.am

To Areian, the Armenians do not think of moving to Armenia despite the dire reality on the ground where the terrorists attack the Armenian schools, churches and used even chemical weapon.

“During the fierce military actions in September victims among children were recorded, followed by a consolidation with the government of Armenia and relief organizations when numbers of Aleppo Armenians moved to Armenia. The initiative launched that time aimed at providing assistance to those who wished to leave the city,” Areian recalled and continued: “Two months have passed since then, and our compatriots appeared to be not much prone for coming to Armenia. I knew many people who wrote to me asking for a transfer to Armenia, while today I receive no requests because, I guess, that is a matter of personal decisions. There are people who have money, house, property and are not eager to abandon and leave the city. They might have dozens of reasons for that. After all, they hope for successful operations of the Syrian army”.

At a remark that Syrian-Armenians are probably doubtful about the possibility to adjust to the Armenian reality or other challenges to settle in the motherland, Areian said: “Sorry to put this way, but we should show that Armenia is not a hell. Armenia first of all is their motherland out of the concept of the motherland. It is also a good place to live, since many of the Syrian-Armenian have established and are working efficiently. I hope much that we, as representatives of information sources, will show that side of Armenia, one can live here,” the publicist noted, pointing out to the hardships the Syrian-Armenians face wherever they establish – be that in Beirut, in Canada or elsewhere.
 
“I am not suggesting every single thing is great in Armenia, yet compared to the conditions in Aleppo today as well as with the view of the future, undoubtedly, and, thanks God, Yerevan is a good place. One can work and create here. After all, Armenia faces a demographic problem as well,” Areian explained.

The Armenian publicist is doubtful about the much-cherished hope of the Syrian-Armenians the war in Syria will end soon, since all the symptoms evidence the continuation of the military actions without any prospects for the settlement. 

The publicist next reflected on the announcements about preserving the Armenian community in Aleppo, saying it shouldn’t be done at the expense of people’s lives.

“Our relation with the Syrian disaster looks like a person struggling a disease. We have already reconciled ourselves with the ongoing situation. We suffer the pain and the part of our body is dying, while we are unable to save it. Surgery could perhaps save, yet we have no experience of it. On the other hand, other reasons, perhaps a stereotype prevails in the wish to preserve the Armenian community,” Areian said and asked rhetorically: “What is to say preserving the community. Preserving what – the ruins, the churches? I am surprised. Those churches served the people and not the other way. Let us preserve the community but the main question is at what expense”.

The publicist suggested the Hayastan All-Armenia Fund to come up with a program connecting Armenian families living in Los Angeles and the ones in Yerevan. According to that, each family living in Los Angeles takes care of one Syrian Armenian family established in Yerevan through concrete initiatives.

“It would mean a family in Los Angeles will adopt a Syrian-Armenian family in Yerevan for a less burden on the state,” Areian concluded.