With good intentions and forthright impulses, the initiative of a "sacred tax" is short on details and practical steps: Yes, by what mechanisms will decisions be made, priorities set up; funds disbursed and accountability ensured? But the initiative raises even more questions by what it leaves out, perhaps disregards, as unimportant: the problems of the diaspora--from schools threatened with closure because of dwindling funds, to immigrant families impoverished by war and climate change, to cultural projects that never see the light of day because of lack of financial support. The diaspora often lives at the edge of our (meaning, we who live in the diaspora) collective consciousness, merely a younger sibling or provider, certainly a mere appendage to the State, with all its “power” and “resources” at the service of the republic (at least, so goes the rhetoric!). If half of the 360 million dollars/euros were used for diaspora projects, we would certainly have a stronger diaspora--stronger for its communities, groupings, and individuals, and also more equitable and productive for itself and for Armenia. That, too, will need mechanisms of accountability and democratic engagement.

Is this a picture of three French-Armenians or three ignorant dummies? How can you say let's send more money to Armenia when the people don't ever see that money? Your money was used to buy homes in Glendale, London, and Rolls Royce cars by government officials! How foolish and naive can these French-Armenians be?