No Vacations in Turkey - Newsworthy?
I read in the news that the Armenian Prime Minister has told important members of government not to vacation in Turkey - which is becoming a very popular destination for Armenians due to the low cost... this request seems sensible enough, considering the lack of diplomatic relations/open border, but is it something that really needs to be reported? Is this not something that Turks will jump on and try to focus on when the real issue is indeed the lack of an open border and relations? Now I am the first one to say that stuff which makes Armenia "look bad" in the west SHOULD be reported on, people need to know and it is the first step to making things better - but only if it is a bad thing that ought to be fixed. In this case, and others in the past, it is better just to pass along to the next story. This is not news that people need to know.
posted by Raffi K. at 9:55 AM
21 Comments:
On the 'official' side it is a fact that Turkey embargos Armenia. So why to take Armenian money to Turkey? Tourism is an export.Lets not forget the harsh early 90s when Turkey was blocking the food supply to Armenia and had it's army ready for a quick invasion. This might be a case in any other time.
On the social side it always surprised me that how one (Armenian) can go to Turkey for a vacation? I mean go to RELAX and have fun in such an environment. What a people? And now ask others to respect us. Well.. many stopped already. A Greek Cypriot struggles to save an armenian school (Melkonian) or an Armenian old cemetary (in Nicosia) in Cyprus from the destruction by the same Armenians.
Who cares what 'West' says and thinks, let that same west recognise the Genocide. There are things that shouldnt be mixed with diplomacy and one of them is the Armenian genocide. You can not put it on a bargaining table.
I just couldn't imagine vacationing there... but apparently people in Armenia will take ANY vacation spot if it is cheap enough.. even Turkey! YUKH!
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I’m not exactly sure why Mr. Prime Minister made up this rule, but he could've made up ANY reason to make Turkey look bad, ie. for the safety of government officials, etc. (Probably a stupid suggestion, but it's better than not mentioning any reason.)
I think an Armenian should open up a resort on the Black Sea coast of Georgia and advertise like mad, trying to steer away Armenians from going to Turkey.
Just imagine, even if only 5,000 people from Armenia go to Antalya a year, that's at least $2-3 million in the pockets of the Turks, plus any shopping they do there. (By the way, these vacation packages cost $600/person.)
Too bad Lebanon is too expensive for many of these locals and Syria is underdeveloped. Egypt was also an option, until the increase in terrorism this past year. Dubai? BORING! But A LOT of locals go there as well.
Damn it! We need Cilicia back!
All news needs reporting and it is an interesting item. State officials holidaying in Turkey and the Prime Minister allegedly telling them not to.
Perhaps the point about news is not whether to report it because the news should not be about propaganda, it should be about information. We should not be forced to live in a vaccuum.
Now, the importance given to a specific news item by an editor is another matter. Nevertheless, we all have the right to choose what news we read and what news we don't.
After that, the only problem with the news from Armenia is whether its well written and researched.
Incidentally, Adjaria is apparently swamped with tourists from Armenia because would you believe not only can they cater for tourists better (service is much better) but it is also significantly cheaper than going to Sevan or Jermuk. I know this because my wife and son are off with friends today to Georgia/Asjaria for their holiday. Me, I'm stuck in the heat of Yerevan working. :-(
Still, last night's Bambir II concert was absolutely awesome and I was glad to see a prominent figure from the Diaspora there as well as three foreigners interested in youth. The place was packed and boy, what an atmosphere. Garo has a review of the gig over at Notes from Hairenik:
http://noteshairenik.blogspot.com/2005/07/bambir-rocks.html
Hopefully, I should have some pics posted of the concert in a few hours at
http://oneworld.blogsome.com
I wouldnt really like to go there. Turkey is somewhere I may one day visit, out of interest, but when I even hear its name, images of relaxation and enjoyment are the last things that come to mind.
Saying that, I know that probably 8/10 people I know have taken their family holiday there this summer.
I'd love to go to Turkey, but not for a vacation. The idea of giving the Turks money to spend time to relax on the land they stole from us and reep the benefits from? I'm ill at the thought.
As for newsworthy... Onnik... you nailed a HUGE issue for me. The concept of reporting facts is a hot debate here, but only because 99% of what you see in mainstream news is opinionated and deliberate propoganda. Both sides argue this and both sides are right... it's so obvious when you watch the news how they spin things.
The other day I was watching the O'Reilly Factor on FoxNews (for kicks) and O'Reilly made comments about the BBC using the word "bomber" instead of "terrorist" when reporting on the London attacks, and totally criticizing them for being the least credible news organization. BBC responded saying that it is because the word "terrorist" has been devalued by over usage. For the next 10 minutes, he had a guest on (reporter from FoxNews) talking about the subject and why BBC basically sucks. He admitted it was biased, but continued to do so because BBC refused to go on his show. The idea of split screen debate, quick analysis and spin has consumed the media here, and the line between factual journalism and propoganda has completely blurred.
Moral of the story, we NEED to prevent this from happening in Armenia. THAT is newsworthy.
Arsineh, you ever read Chomsky?
Some, but I'm always mocked for being a crazed left wing liberal or communist when I do. He has few friends in this town. Anything in particular you recommend?
Manufacturing Consent.
The documentary, which I saw in England on TV (BBC2 or Channel 4, I can't remember) was also interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_Consent:_Noam_Chomsky_and_the_Media
I still say all news does not need reporting. Sometimes it is even in the public good to not report, or else you create copycat crimes or other public hazards... I remember when the National Guard was called up during the LA Riots, the news reporters actually mentioned they do not have bullets or something to that effect. Just ridiculous.
We definitely need Cilicia back!
Also, I guess it's true. We could be more like Israel and not care what the world says. (As long as we're doing the right thing, and not terrorizing innocent populations!)
I believe news need to be reported but in a professional way. When you read www.indymedia.org you find out that how much of important news is not reported by The State (99%) regulated media.
visit that site and you will find out lots of things that is not reported.
Arsineh you can also read Michel Foucault eg like Madness and Civilization. Also explore Slavoj Zizek. By the waI think American population is more of a left wing than any other thing. It's foundations and early stage was based onc ommunities. Community Spirit is a term that is still widely used. unfortunatly Capital and fetichism is replacing the human factor.
Okay, point taken about holding back some details when it comes to things like public safety and national security etc. However, was speaking to some people here about the holiday ban and it was pointed out to me that what the Prime Minister has done might actually be beyond his constitutional and legal powers to restrict the movement of private individuals in their own time. Perhaps Markarian could have "advised" them not to as other states "advise" against travelling to certain regions or countries.
Anyway, there is no law or decree issued that forbids this and anyway, a side issue is that of having publicly accountable officials.
Interestingly, regarding propaganda use by Turkey, it was also pointed out to me that this story isn't as significant as another one -- the arrest and detention of a Turkish academic who might have been purposely smuggling historical documents out of the country but who anyway, was the first Turkish historian in the Armenian archives. You can imagine how the Armenian press would cover that story from the perspective of the Ottoman archives if it had happened to an Armenian historian in Turkey.
I will never spend a red cent in Turkey.
Meneshian
The Turks maintain that the Armenian archives are not available to them. And the Armenia arrests a Turkish historian who was examining these same archives.
It's a nice political move by the Armenian government. Too bad the historian had to be a tool in this.
Meneshian, I suppose it depends. I think many of us have spent money in Turkey. I spent it when I was working on minority human rights in South East Turkey (basically, Kurds) in 1997 and Raffi K., Lena, Jacob and others went to look at Armenian historical monuments and stuff. Meanwhile, various government officials and oligarchs are making money from the import of Turkish goods into Armenia and are (or were) taking their holidays there.
Not sure what this all means. Firstly, we all have our own reasons for going to Turkey but at the same time, none of us went for recreation although I know that many Diasporans in Europe choose Turkey over Armenia because its cheaper and the tourism infrastructure is better.
Regardless, sooner or later, borders will be open and relations will be normalized. To be honest, I think propaganda is evident on both sides although of course, the Genocide is a serious matter that needs addressing. However, Armenia can not choose its neighbors so what's the solution?
Despite this ban by the PM, Kocharian and Serzh Sarkisyan as well as the oligarchs are known to favor relations without preconditions with Turkey. Ironically, what seems to have changed the situation a little is not Armenia or Turkey but rather Europe raising the Genocide not for moral reasons but rather for politically expedient purposes.
That said, I know Turks who believe that Turkey must recognize the genocide if the country is to develop democratically and with a respect for human and minority rights. On that I would not disagree.
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I hear you Onnik, and don't neccessarily disagree. But, for me, I have no interest in stepping foot on that land. It's just a personal choice. Maybe my preference will change over time. But, right now, no. I tend not to go to places where I am not wanted...
Meneshian
Incidentally, there is a group of expats in Yerevan planning a trip to climb Ararat this summer, and they were explicitly told not to bother have anyone with -ian/yan. Permission would not be given for those individuals.
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