Courting a Diaspora: Armenia-Diaspora Relations since 1998 (original) (raw)

Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks, 2003

Abstract

Armenia-diaspora relations have historically been problematic, and the post-Soviet period is no exception. Tensions plagued the relationship between the two parts of the nation to the point where an impasse was reached under President Levon Ter-Petrosian (1991–8). After Ter-Petrosian’s resignation in early 1998, the new President, Robert Kocharian, made the improvement of Armenia—diaspora relations a cornerstone of his economic and foreign policies. The tense relationship between the two components of the Armenian nation eased considerably, but there has yet to be any significant institutional linkages between the Armenian state and the diaspora. This chapter examines the relationship between Armenia and the diaspora during the presidency of Robert Kocharian (1998–). It focuses on two conferences organized by the Armenian government which sought to connect a discontented diaspora to the state. These two conferences encompassed the republic’s policy towards the diaspora. The events received much coverage in the Armenian press, particularly in communities abroad, but there has not yet been a systematic academic study which analyzes the conferences.

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