IRAQI ARMENIANS EXPECT MORE AID FROM ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian community of Iraq expects more aid from Armenia, stated Narek Ishkhanian, a pastor of an Armenian church in Baghdad. Thereupon Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Ruben Shugarian told RFE/RL that the Armenian government had already discussed the question of providing assistance to Iraqi Armenians, adding the contribution forms are being specified at present. In his words, resulting from the war in Iraq 29 Armenians moved to Armenia for permanent residence. The overwhelming majority of Armenians of Iraq found refuge in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The Deputy Minister also reported that the Armenian community of Iraq had asked the Armenian authorities not to send troops to Iraq in order not to set the Iraqi population against local Armenians. As it is known Armenia is going to send physicians, sappers and drivers to Iraq. However, in R. Shugarian's words, the terms of their departure are still being specified. At present over 20 thousand Armenians live in Iraq, mainly concentrated in Baghdad, Basra, Mosul and Kirkuk. In the words of priest Narek Ishkhanian, the Armenian Church assists the most needy of them. A women philanthropic organization is also formed, which patronizes some 300 indigent families, providing medicines to them for free.