very interesting phenomenon. my colleague brought this survey to work (an in depth sociological survey to asses ones feelings on armenia, the government, the diaspora and the future) and my answers were very very close to the locals as opposed to the diaspora. after living here, i must say that i have changed my perspective on many things.

for one...

i do not believe in armenian citizenship for the diaspora. i would be scared if the diaspora, who has an idealized and romanticized version of what armenia is and or should be should have voting power. their children will not fight in the war, if one results from the decisions they make. their children will be safely tucked away at universities in america... attending the genocide rally and a handful of armenian socials a year. the boys here however, starting as early as 15 years old will be forced to fight a war they may or may not believe in. if we as the diaspora do not live on this land, if we are not BOUND to this land... if we have OUTS that these citizens do not have, how can we consciously vote... or make decisions on behalf of these people, this country.

i do not know what i would do GOD FORBID push comes to shove... i would like to say that i would stay here and give this country my all... but the difference with me... is that i have an option... i CAN get on that next plane towards LAX, my colleague sitting next to me, adis, CANNOT. it would be unfair for me to have lived so far away with feelings of hate towards turkey and force adis to actualize that hate that i feel, through my ideas of what armenia/turkish relations should be. perhaps adis shares those feelings, perhaps the current stability is more important for him, ultimately it is him who should decide as it is him... who will suffer the reprocutions.

i am not saying that the entire diaspora does not understand armenia, or that the decisions that the diaspora makes is always wrong. i am not saying that a select few like monte would not come here to fight from their diasporan lives. i am just saying that as a majority their decisions are not based on any sense of responsibility except a spiritual and cultural one. the responsibilities that adis has SURPASSES those of spiritual or cultural responsibility. they include his son, his children, his livelyhood, his life, his pregnant wife, his EVERYTHING, how could you compare that.

i have been toying with this citizenship idea i just spelled out for a while. i am convinced that it is not in Armenia's best interest, one that perhaps we can re-consider after a treaty is established with azerbaijan.

many diasporans fight with me on this. i have a relative who lives here in armenia and is from the diaspora and is a loud screamer for citizenship... but escapes the winters as they are too cold.

i do agree that there should not be such heavy fees for diasporans where visas, or residency are concerned. the government should help diasporans repatriate and should encourage relations, any relations, as much as they can. but are adis and i the same, definitely not.

raffi hovhannisian gave up his american citizenship and is now an armenian citizen. if anyone wants it that bad... let us follow his lead.
i wonder how many people would be screaming for citizenship then.

i do not know if this is how i would feel, if i did not move here. i think this has developed in me since my move. i feel like i have a better grip of these things. more insight.

this is just my personal view. sorry if i hurt or offended anyone.