A group of Syrian-Armenians who have recently arrived in Armenia have taken the local press to task for making unwanted and unfounded remarks about the situation of the Armenian community in Syria. What follows is their statement.

A reporter from Armenia, who had recently visited Haleb, , organized a press conference upon returning to Yerevan and had the gall to make a series of general statements regarding the issues confronting the Armenian community in Aleppo.

According to the reporter, Syrian Armenians “are hostages to the so-called national community leadership” and that “those leaders do not allow the community to develop by taking logical decisions” and that it’s a result of ignorance or a planned conspiracy.

At this crucial time, such attempts to drive a wedge between Armenia, the Syrian-Armenian community and the leaders of Syrian-Armenian organizations can’t be regarded as sincere by us Syrian-Armenians.

Those who have spoken out regarding the attitudes of the Syrian-Armenians include Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, Armenia’s Ambassador to Syria Levon Sargsyan and ARF Bureau member Hrand Margaryan.

They have stressed on numerous occasions that the Syrian-Armenian community has no intention of leaving Syria.

These are individuals who are intimately acquainted with the Syrian-Armenian community and not those who have visited for a few days.

The stance of the RA Minister for the Diaspora, shaped through daily telephone conversations, meetings and consultations with appropriate individuals, expresses the attitude of the vast majority of Syrian-Armenians.

We, a group of Syrian-Armenian youth now in Armenia, can confirm that it’s impossible to speak in generalities culled from a few days’ experience on the ground.

There are no anti-Armenian tendencies in Syria and no violence directed towards the Armenian community.

The community now has its joint coordinating committee, comprised of the three spiritual dioceses and representatives of the political parties and unions.

We can proudly say that the community has never been more united and, during this difficult time, the coordinating committee is confronting all challenges confronting the community.

We find it intolerable and painful for any one individual to speak on behalf of the community or attempt to hurl accusations against the community leadership, political parties, or other responsible individuals.