An audacious and an arrogant mindset

Vaհe H Apelian

 

If not anything else, it is undisputed that arrogance is indicative of inflated, not to say insecure, sense of self-importance and superiority. 

An audacious and an arrogant mindset drove those who organized the most recent Paris conference If you have any doubt of the veracity of my claim and want to conceptualize the mindset of the organizers of this conference, all you have to do is to read the very first sentence of the closing message Daron Der -Katchadourian delivered on behalf of the ARF about the conference that purported to be for and about Diaspora. It reads, “The Diaspora demands that Armenia's policy be guided by national interests”. (Սփիւռքը կը պահանջէ, որ Հայաստանի քաղաքականութիւնը առաջնորդուի ազգային շահերով” 

I am not even sure if this conference was organized by ARF, as one can envisions the functioning of an organization, or it was put together by a vocal elements in the ARF, who have anointed themselves as the righteous guardians of all things Armenian. Obviously, the recent conference I referred to is the conference that was held in Paris from April 11-12, 2026. The organizers of the conference have labeled the conference “Diaspora Mobilizing Conference.” 

Nowhere I read that ARF has organized a conference in Paris, although the ARF press heralded it. Most of the participants of this conference appear to be members of the ARF or affiliated to it. Surely some were driven by the historic good name of ARF, took part in the panels.  I am not sure if they realized that this conference had an undertone, to help ARF prepare the Diaspora against the present government Armenia, who is running for election as the incumbent. If you doubt the veracity of this claim of mine as well, look for Murad/Patrick Papzaian’s recorded comment that predicts doom and gloom for Armenians should the citizens of Armenia elect Nikol Pashinyan led Civil Contract party. Although he did not make any reference, but it is a fact that ARF in Armenia is led the Robert Kocharyan and is a member of the coalition Robert Kocharyan leads and directs.

It is a fact of Diaspora life, that Diaspora is wearing out. This is not my claim. Nor it is a new claim It was a claim that Catholicos Aram made, according to records in 2017, in a sixth Armenian wide conference held in Yerevan, where he said, “Armenia is vacating and Diaspora is wearing out” («Հայաստանը Կը Պարպուի Սփիւռքը Կը Մաշի»). According to records immigration from Armenia has slowed down, especially after the popular revolt that brought the present government to power. But Diaspora wearing out is accelerating. Pick any standard that measures the heath of a Diaspora and ask for yourself. In which category of such measures, the Armenia Diaspora has made progress since 2017?. Also ask Youseff, if ARF does not bear responsibly in Diaspora’ wearing down. ARF cannot help in mobilizing Diaspora  to revitalize it, as long as ARF, as a matter of principle and conviction, does not unconditionally stand with the government the citizens of Armenia elect, which at the present is PM Nilol Pashinyan and the  led Civil Contract party he leads. 

Diaspora is too complex an entity for any organization. The organizers of this conference said, they will meet again in a few months. It takes time and finances to organize such a conference. As long as the organizers have the time and they can secure the finances, the Paris April 11-12 conference may be held again, in Paris or anywhere else, at the organizer’s hearts content. But, it will not serve the purpose it purports.