Pashinyan Meeting With Student Group Sparks Internal Dissent
Did Pashinyan come to New York to address the U.N. or split up Armenian university students?
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's September meeting with members of the All-Armenian Student Association (ASA) in New York has generated controversy within the diaspora organization. Several ASA leaders and chapter representatives objected to the meeting, citing violations of the group's stated apolitical stance. Tamara G. Nahapetyan, deputy director of the Eastern Region ASA, resigned in protest, and at least two other board members stepped down. Three ASA chapters issued statements distancing themselves from the decision to meet with Pashinyan. The ASA initially requested that students submit questions in writing, later allowing verbal questions following community feedback. An ASA statement acknowledging communication lapses garnered over 170 critical comments on Instagram. The incident reflects broader tensions between the Armenian government and diaspora communities over policy disagreements.
