Robert Haddejian, editor of the newpaper Marmara in Istanbul, cultural specialist Movses Herkelian, and writer Toros Toranian, all from the diaspora, expressed their displeasure today at the draft bill now being studied in Armenia that would allow for the establishment of foreign language schools. The voiced their amazement that such a bill was even being proposed in Armenia. Mr. Haddejian said that such discussion was "superfluous" and that he knew from his experience in the diaspora that Armenians generally worshipped all things "foreign" and that if such schools were to open, many parents would desire to have their children attend. "There are 18 Armenian schools in Istanbul, but the number of teachers and students is dropping daily," he said, adding that the reason was because parents wanted to send their kids to foreign language schools. Toros Toranian, who hails from Syria, said that thinking in Armenian was very important and while he is obliged to speak Arabic, he crafts his thoughts in Armenian. Movses Herkelian, who lives in Beirut, said that there are many foreign language schools there and that one’s national consciousness suffers as a result. "When you ask people there what they are, they don’t say they are Lebanese. Rather they say they belong to this or that religion or party." All three said that Armenia would become weaker due to the reopening of foreign language schools and that the diaspora is already weak, since Armenian is losing out on a daily basis.