Recently, the mayor of the city of Plesi-Robinson in France (six kilometers away from Paris) and MP of the Otde-Sen region Philip Pemezeki and his delegation paid an official visit to Yerevan. The purpose of the visit was to sign a contract with the Arabkir community based on the memorandum signed long before (Arabkir and Plesi-Robinson are “sister” communities) and visit the monument dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The delegation took a trip around the community with community head Hovhannes Shahinyan, got acquainted with the issues and the future projects, as well as discussed the first steps to be taken.
There are 50 Armenian families (approximately 220 people) living in Plesi-Robinson, which has a 22,000 population. With the purpose of strengthening ties with the Armenian community living in the small city, the Plesi-Robinson community installed a monument of Commander Andranik in 2004 and head of the Military Police of Armenia Vladimir Gasparyan was present during the installment. F. Pemezek is also the author of a new bill, which not only condemns the Armenian genocide, but also punishes those who deny it.
F. Pemezek is a close friend of the minister of internal affairs of France Nikola Sarkozi and shares his opinions. He hopes that Sarkozi will win in the upcoming 2007 presidential elections.
– You are nominating Nikola Sarkozi to be elected president during the 2007 presidential elections. What are his main ideas?
– Sarkozi is the only true leader who can steer France in the right direction. If you take a look at the map of today, you will see that Europe, in particular France, is the only country in the world where citizens are not provided with jobs and where there isn’t any economic growth. So, there is a need to stop the politics which has been led up to now. France must develop its potential so that it can once again turn into the country that it was and has always been-the flourishing, dynamic and economically strong France. Currently, the country is facing hardships, as well as the pressure by the authorities and ideologies. There must be some kind of conflict in the country and I think that Sarkozi is just the person with the desire to make many reforms. He always says:
“I say whatever I think and do whatever I say.” He has many chances to make it in the political field and he will fight until the end. I hope that he will win in the elections.
– France doesn’t set any limits on immigration. As of today, many ethnic groups have formed big communities in the country and are doing good business. What do you have to say about this?
– Yes, today France is facing a major problem concerning immigration and we haven’t regulated that to this day. This is not a wave that threatens us, but more like an endless tsunami. Anyone who knows how to speak a little French makes his way into France and takes advantage of all the goods that the country has to offer. I think it’s time to take some action towards solving this issue. This must be stopped and we must set some regulations, just like other Western countries do. For example, Canada has strict regulations. When a country needs 15 butchers, it won’t take in 20 locksmiths or 50 surgeons. We have to let the people we need immigrate to France and have to accept them well. Today, there is no control on immigration. We can’t transfer French values to the immigrants. They are the ones insisting on their religions, cultures, something which we don’t want. It’s unacceptable for us. Our democracy needs to force them to respect our culture and politics. France has to let the people who will help strengthen the work force.
– You suggest choosing immigrants based on their professions or nationality?
– Profession, first and foremost. I have researched many statistics and have come to the conclusion that last year, France has let 61,000 foreigners immigrate to the country rather than the needed 17,000. Now what France must do is either set limits on immigration, or accept foreigners based on whether or not they have any relatives here.
– How did you establish contacts with the Armenian community of France?
– I established contacts with the Armenian community thanks to my friends Mr. and Mrs. Hovhannes and Zhaklin Minasyan (they are representatives of the Armenian community in the city of Klamar next to Plesi-Robinson-K.T.). They introduced me to the people who gave our city the statue of Commander Andranik, which we placed in one of the squares of our city and where we commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide each year. The next event will take place on April 29th.
– What made you decide to work with the Arabkir community of Yerevan?
– We wanted to further strengthen ties between the two nations and, as a matter of fact, the French and Armenian communities really bond. So, we decided to take the next step and chose to work with the Arabkir community.
– How will that tie help the Arabkir and Plesi-Robinson communities?
– Intimate ties are always constructive. There are many projects. For example, yesterday Arabkir community head Hovhannes Shahinyan and I decided that it would be good to have Armenian foresters come to France to train. We have great professionals in this field, thanks to whom Plese-Robinson won the highest European award for forestation last year. This is just one example and I believe that we can collaborate in other fields as well. This is just the beginning.
– What is the bill that you have presented to the French parliament about?
– France has recognized the Armenian Genocide, but the goal is to punish anyone who denies that France has actually recognized the genocide. In general, I believe that there is no difference in what kind of genocide it is and the perpetrators of genocides must be brought to justice. I am the author of this bill and it will be discussed in the French parliament on May 18.
– What are your impressions of Armenia after your first visit?
– I have great impressions. I am happy that I finally discovered this country of which I had always heard so much about. I am especially amazed at the patriotism and hospitality of the Armenian people. I am leaving with wonderful impressions. They even call me Pemzekyan here as a joke.