Yesterday, “Hraparak” highlighted a new statement from a self-proclaimed “Hay Dat Organization” in France, in which the organization appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron, requesting the deployment of a military contingent to Armenia. The statement was endorsed by 122 prominent French figures, mayors, and a few Armenians.
The statement also referenced the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF) and the Armenian opposition. It criticized the CCAF co-chairs, who are supposed to represent Armenians in France, for supporting opponents of Prime Minister Pashinyan’s government, described as a minority in Armenia. The opposition, the statement claimed, refuses any agreement on borders based on the 1991 Alma-Ata declarations and could potentially reignite armed conflict, with disastrous consequences.
Among the signatories were notable French figures, including Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who has strong partnership ties with Murad Papazyan and has visited Armenia and Artsakh alongside him.
In yesterday’s “Hraparak” publication, Mourad Papazian commented that the idea of appealing to Macron was initially theirs, accusing others of stealing the concept. He implied that Diaspora Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan, who has been accused of dividing the diaspora and has faced rejection, particularly from the French-Armenian community, may have been involved.
“Hraparak” posed several questions to Murad Papazyan:
Q: Some people with whom you have strong partnership relations have signed this “new” statement from the “Hay Dat Organization.” Why did they join a statement that portrays you, the Armenian opposition, and the CCAF in a negative light?
A: “They did not sign that text. We gathered those 122 members, and they signed our statement. We appealed to President Macron to send military forces to Armenia to halt Azerbaijan’s aggression. Under that letter, 122 influential French politicians and elected officials signed to strengthen the appeal. This occurred a few weeks ago. The newly formed organization, which consists of only three or four people, stole the names of those 122 individuals and falsely attributed them to their statement. This is a deception intended to create the impression that these people endorsed their statement. Legal action is possible for this forgery; if even one or two of the 122 individuals take the matter to court, it will be clear that their signatures were forged. These are irresponsible individuals known to us, who act as tools and agents of the Armenian authorities and participate in the division of the diaspora. They do not want a strong diaspora. This organization was stillborn.”
Q: Have you spoken with those figures? Are any of them considering legal action?
A: “I have not spoken to them, and I am unaware of any developments; this situation is new. We do not encourage legal action; that is their decision. However, this manipulation was very ugly.”
Naira Vanyan (originally in Armenian at arfd.am)
