What is the real power of the Armenian diaspora?

Hamid Hamidov
Day.Az

The Armenian diaspora, or Spyurk as referred to by Armenians, which we have heard about many times in the past few years, is actually far from the image which it creates for itself.  The myth about the strength of the diaspora is well- known around the world.

In part, the individuals who once formed this myth also came to believe in their assertions. But it turns out this is not the case at all.

First, let’s look at the figures. According to Armenian sources, the number of Armenians in the world is about 8-10 million people. This is a miserly figure compared to the 50 million Azerbaijanis who live around the globe. Those who say not quantity but quality is important are partially right. However, to dismiss an indicator such as quantity is impossible. For example, the number of the Jewish community in the U.S. alone is several million according to official U.S. sources. The power of the friendly Jewish diaspora is known to all. Quantity plays a major role in this case.

Secondly, let's see what the diaspora is doing. Is its main goal to provide humanitarian assistance to its compatriots around the world? No, not at all. Maybe, it aims are to establish warm and neighborly relations with Armenia’s neighboring states and their diaspora organizations? No again.

The Armenian diaspora’s first of two main goals is to achieve the recognition of the so-called Armenian "genocide." The second goal is to gain the recognition of "NKR" as a second Armenian state.

Let’s imagine that Turkey and Armenia have somehow solved the question of the "Armenian genocide" and Turkey has finally recognized the country? What is the use?

What will the diaspora deal with then? What will be its next target? The recognition of "NKR?" Okay. Imagine that Azerbaijan and Armenia have also reached an agreement on the occupied territories on terms favorable to Azerbaijan. What will the diaspora do? It will growl, growl and then stop.

What will be the next step? The recognition of the "genocide,” the main national idea, and the Karabakh problem will be solved. What will the diaspora do then? It seems the diaspora will do nothing. Of course, there is still the separation of the Georgian lands Samtskhe-Javakheti and turning them into the second Nagorno-Karabakh. But, first, Georgians, who became wiser through the bitter experience of Adjara, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and seeing the example of Karabakh, will never allow this to happen. Second, such a desire is not so much a priority for the Armenian diaspora. So, they will not particularly fight for this idea.

The diaspora will assist Armenians in Zimbabwe. As surprising it may sound, according to Armenia’s official sources,  28 Armenians who speak the Western Armenian dialect live in this country, known worldwide for its phenomenally high inflation reaching two million percent in a year.

The diaspora may also finance 10 (according to the same sources) Armenians in Nicaragua in an effort to further involve them in rebel movements or it may provide military aid to 900 Armenians in Honduras so they somehow influence return the overthrown President Manuel Zelaya to power to force him to recognize the Armenian language as the second official tongue in this country.

There are plenty of options. But the Armenian diaspora is interested in none of them. They will not spend money on those kind of things while they allocate their hard-earned money for the recognition of the “genocide” and “NKR.”

So, once the inflamed ideas of the "genocide" and the “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic” are realized, the Armenian diaspora will simply lose its significance and effect. It will become null and void and remain in the past. It will go away quietly without leaving a trace…