ROLE OF THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF SYRIA

HAFEZ ASSAD GAVE SPECIAL IMPORTANCE TO THE ROLE OF THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF
SYRIA, STRESSED THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF ORIENTAL SCIENCES OF THE
ARMENIAN NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
13.06.2000 16.22
13.06.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. "I had the chance to meet twice with Hafez Assad and I am
well-acquainted with his position towards the Armenian community of Syria", informed in the interview to
MEDIAMAX the director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of
Armenia, Nikolai Hovanesian.
According to Mr. Hovanesian, during those meetings president Assad expressed gratitude to Armenians
for "that great contribution which had and has the Armenian community of Syria in the matter of
development of statehood in the country". Moreover, noted the Armenian scientist, Assad secured in the
Syrian parliament one permanent place for an Armenian deputy, provided conditions for worthy functioning
of Armenian educational institutions.
"Hafez Assad gave great importance to the development of relations with Armenia, believing that both
countries have common historical past, considering the tragic results of the Ottoman yoke towards
Armenia and Syria", stressed Nikolai Hovanesian. -0-