In an interview with Tert.am, writer, publicist Sako Arian touched upon the statement of Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan that the lives of Armenians in Syria are at risk and nobody knows what will happen to them and said it was appropriate. “What can the Ministry or Armenia do when it is up to each person to decide? The most important thing is that it is clear to everyone that Armenia opened its doors a long time ago and will do everything it can to make sure those wishing to leave that hell, receive assistance and move to Armenia,” he said. According to Sako Arian, the Government can’t force people to get on a plane and come.

Tert.am: Mr. Arian, Minister Hranush Hakobyan says the lives of our compatriots in Syria are at risk and nobody knows what will happen to them. Wasn’t it possible to implement a policy a couple of years ago to have Syrian-Armenians move to Armenia when the situation wasn’t as devastating as it is now?

Sako Arian: The fact that our compatriots’ lives are at risk is nothing new. Even in Aleppo, schools are urged to remain closed for a few days since children were killed in one of the districts of Syria on Saturday. Nevertheless, I don’t understand the position of Armenian national authorities in Aleppo. How can they open a school when there is a problem with safety? The Minister’s observation is appropriate. She is right. Everyone knows that Aleppo is still the center for military operations, and nobody knows what will happen and nobody can ensure the safety of our compatriots. What can the Ministry or Armenia do when this is something that is up to the person? Neither the authorities of the Republic of Armenia nor the leaders of the Armenian community of Aleppo are to blame since nobody knows anything. Syrian-Armenians must decide for themselves and move. Armenia is doing everything it can with its resources, even through international grants, but many Armenians of Aleppo are still clung for various reasons. It is subjective, and nobody can claim the opposite or blame them. The most important thing is that it became clear that Armenia opened its doors a long time ago and will do everything it can to make sure those wishing to leave that hell, receive assistance and move to Armenia.

Tert.am: What can the Government of the Republic of Armenia do at this moment?

S. A.: What can our government do? It can’t force people to get on a plane and come. The people who weren’t aware of what is going on blamed the government, but they have seen how the government is doing everything to open doors for the Syrian-Armenians, purchase tickets for them and intervene. The problem is that out of the 60,000 Syrian-Armenians who have stayed in Syria, 8,000 probably have serious reasons for not moving to Armenia. They might have financial difficulties, or are worried about their safety. So, it is a matter of having or not having something to do. I think there are only two classes of society left in Aleppo-those who can’t decide and are afraid to leave, and those who have properties and want to stay and protect them. However, I think this will take time, and the past five years of the Syrian war showed that the events are unpredictable and nobody can ensure the life and safety of our compatriots.

Tert.am: So, you are saying that the statement that everyone wants to come, but can’t, is inappropriate?

S. A.: To those who wish to come, Armenia is purchasing the ticket. Whoever goes to the airport receives $105. In addition, Armenia pays the rent for one year, and Syrian-Armenians can address Mission East, Aleppo Organization, the Evangelical Community and other organizations coordinating Syrian-Armenians’ issues and ask for help. The Syrian-Armenians don’t come and say they will wait another two days to see what happens. So, nobody can decide whether they should leave Aleppo for Yerevan or Beirut or somewhere else. They need to decide. I am saying this based on my personal experience.

Tert.am: But are Syrian-Armenians disposed to think that the situation in Armenia is unstable, the conditions are poor and that their businesses fail and they have to move to other countries?

S. A.: Yes, anyone who leaves a country in war always complains, even in Sweden and Canada. So, what can the Armenian authorities do? It has done what other countries haven’t done. There are hundreds of thousands of refugees in Lebanon who live in horrible conditions. They are prohibited from going out after 21:00, but the Republic of Armenia is doing everything it can. Armenia also has problems, and I think, over the past three years, Syrian-Armenians should feel lucky that we have this state-something that we didn’t have during the Lebanese Civil War. Our compatriots truly lived as migrants and in difficult condition. Syrian-Armenians aren’t in the same situation in the Republic of Armenia. They are able to live and earn a living. Most citizens of the Republic of Armenia have serious social problems, and not only the Armenians of Aleppo.

Tert.am: Do we have statistics on how many Syrian-Armenians have come to Armenia and then moved to other countries?

S. A.: In 2011, there were nearly 70,000 Armenians in Aleppo. Today, there are only 8,000. Out of the 70,000, 15,000 are in Armenia, nearly 15,000 are in Beirut, 8,000 are in Aleppo, and the rest are scattered in Sweden and Canada, as well as Arab countries, but there are few people who have gone to Arab countries. As for Yerevan, 25,000 Armenians have moved here from Syria, 10,000 of the population of which are constantly moving. There are people who go to another country and rip the passport that was issued to them in the Republic of Armenia, but when they find out that they are second class citizens, are left out. There are also such issues, and this is also a major factor. For some, the Republic of Armenia is still a transit road to move to other countries, but I am certain that, and I am not saying this because of patriotism, it is much easier to start a new life in the Republic of Armenia than in Toronto where Syrian-Armenians live as migrants and are seriously restricted. This also needs to be taken into consideration, but nobody talks about that because the Syrian-Armenians don’t want to say that they don’t live the good life in Canada. Many people are discontent, but they have no way out. However, I will let you in on a secret. The Armenian Evangelical Association is undertaking a new initiative to build an apartment complex. I don’t know where, but the goal is to provide homes for Syrian-Armenians to work, pay through installments and become landlords. If a person has a home, he can start a new life. For that purpose, we are undertaking this initiative. We hope it works out and not 15,000, but 25,000 Syrian-Armenians will live and work here. I am not saying they shouldn’t go back to Aleppo. It is their problem. However, the locals know very well that Aleppo is in a very bad situation and that there is still a long process for return. It is still unclear as to whom Aleppo will belong-the opposition or the Syrian government. In the meantime, it is important to ensure the safety of our compatriots.