At a press conference today, American-Armenian businessman Vahakn Hovnanian was asked if he felt safe in Armenia coming from the diaspora, especially in light of the fact that the body of missing American-Armenian businessman Nazaret Berberian was found the other day and that all signs point to foul play, Mr. Hovnanian said that he knew Mr. Berberian well but didn't know the details of the case. "He was a good friend and a successful man who returned to Armenia to help develop the country. I feel terrible about what happened but I never think about what might happen to me. You can never anticipate the future, whether you're from the diaspora or a local Armenian. Envy is to be found everywhere," Mr. Hovnanian said. When asked by reporters if, as a diaspora Armenian, he has felt any impact by the creation of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Hovnanian said it should have been created long ago. "They also say negative things about Armenia overseas. There is no positive publicity. People who leave Armenia in disgust only spread negative information about Armenia to justify their actions. It's as if they had to. They must be silenced. Of course, it's not a shame to work overseas but one shouldn't smear the country. The Diaspora Ministry must show the world that Armenia is a place where one can live," Mr. Hovnanian said. Mr. Hovnanian also said that the global crisis was extensive but that it would pass in time. "We will survive," noted Mr. Hovnanian, who specializes in housing construction and is best known in Armenia for the "Vahagni" residential community on the outskirts of Yerevan. Mr. Hovnanian noted that the fluctuations of the dollar had severely impacted his business. "Businessmen must govern themselves in these conditions. They must not spend to excess since the climate is still uncertain." The builder said that home prices at "Vahagni" hadn't experience a drop due to the crisis. He noted that 67% of home buyers are local Armenians with the rest being Armenians from the diaspora and foreigners.