March 20, 2003 - 21:33 AMT
IRAQI REFUGEES NOT TO FLOW TO ARMENIA BUT TURKEY AND IRAN
The office of the UN high commissioner for refugees did not give any instructions to its representation in Armenia, as other states - Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will receive the main flow of refugees from Iraq. Aide to the UNHCR representative in Armenia Emil Sahakian told "Arminfo" agency. At the same time, in his words, the Armenian government actively discusses the further fate of Iraqi citizens of Armenian origin, which will to all appearance arrive in Armenia soon. The Armenian foreign ministry has not held any negotiations with the UNHCR office in Armenia, but in any case the UNHCR position is that the Iraqi citizens of Armenian nationality should be immediately accepted. Moreover, a decision is made on the six Iraqis being in Armenia - a family of four people and another two men - to provide temporary accommodation for them in Armenia, Sahakian noted. Let us note that, according to various estimates, Iraqi Armenians total from 30 to 40 thousand.