Turkey prepares for border opening while Armenia sleeps
To all those who are interested in the eventual consequences of the opening of the Turkish borders, please take a look at how Turkey is preparing its tourism agenda for the region of Kars: http://www.globalheritagefund.org/where/kars_page2.html
They have made sure to carefully revitalize the Armenian Town of Kars an by doing so, perhaps erasing much of the Armenian cultural remanence in and around the town. They make sure to name the town as Ottoman City without any reference to its almost entirely Armenian populated history.
AIPRG held a conference recently on the economic implications for both sides of the border after its opening. It is clear to us all that the closing of the border is called Blockade which is (as Richard Giraggosian put it) an act of war. The conference shed much light on some issues that required immediate attention. I am referring to Armenia’s plan in Gyumri. Much has been accomplished in the earthquake zones of Gyumri thanks to the efforts of non-governmental orgs such as the Urban Institute, Jinishyan Memorial Fund, Lincy Foundation and many more. However, the economic initiatives are still to be developed. Investment has been made in the clothing manufacturing and Beer industry, but they are too little to account as major investments. I think the conference has triggered some interest in the region and I am hopeful that big changes are on the way in Gyumri.
They have made sure to carefully revitalize the Armenian Town of Kars an by doing so, perhaps erasing much of the Armenian cultural remanence in and around the town. They make sure to name the town as Ottoman City without any reference to its almost entirely Armenian populated history.
AIPRG held a conference recently on the economic implications for both sides of the border after its opening. It is clear to us all that the closing of the border is called Blockade which is (as Richard Giraggosian put it) an act of war. The conference shed much light on some issues that required immediate attention. I am referring to Armenia’s plan in Gyumri. Much has been accomplished in the earthquake zones of Gyumri thanks to the efforts of non-governmental orgs such as the Urban Institute, Jinishyan Memorial Fund, Lincy Foundation and many more. However, the economic initiatives are still to be developed. Investment has been made in the clothing manufacturing and Beer industry, but they are too little to account as major investments. I think the conference has triggered some interest in the region and I am hopeful that big changes are on the way in Gyumri.
posted by Raffi N at 11:19 AM
4 Comments:
Gyumretsi writing..
the border opening is indeed crucial for Shirak region's (where Gyumri is) economic and social development... despite substantial donations to Gyumri and the earthquake zone, there are still thousands of people living in temporary homes, "domiks" - it's been 18 - EIGHTEEN years since the earthquake.. just think about it.. i know it is not a question of IF for Armenia and Gyumri, but a question of when.. but this when is taking too long and slow to happen...
thanks for the link Raffi - very interesting and alarming
Absolutely disgusting! I urge everyone to give a piece of their mind to the Executive Director, JEFF MORGAN (650) 325-7520
(in San Francisco)...
"..an Ottoman is Russians, ummm other people"...
I am new here.First time ever.A Good Forum?whatever..Now to the point!Border opening is NOT to our advantage.Firstly the West by persuation wishes to have Turkey open it (as though Turkey decided that,)wich is NOT true ..West ,thus having Turkey open the border would show to the rest(none Anglo-Ams )of the world/countries ..SEE TURKEY IS AT PRESENT different from what it was and has obliged us by opening-wishes to say has good neighbourly stance0 with RA.Untrue!!!
Harms that may ensue- Cheap,consumption dateline expired(with new labels on) stuff throw in the Armenian market place to compete with local products.
Solution? bring in Chinese products-similar to these(if borders are opened by west's incessant persuasion)- to overcompete with the turkish goods.Armenia today,2/13/07 has NEW MARITIME ROUTE via Russia -at much less sea-freight than the previous Ukranian one and thus ONE MORE TRANSIT ROUTE HAS BEEN ADDED and according to broadcast on RA H1 T.V. and at half freight cost. Now go back in time and remeber when some kind-minded(Baremid) not to say simple minded Armenians were lured to go and negotiate with turkey some 12/15 years ago to have joint access at Trabizon with "brotherly" turkey. Incognizant of the fact that only couple years or so prior to that Russian vessels were prohibited passage throughBosphorus/Dardabelles- a straight which turks cal "Bogaz" THROAT(intentionally so named of course, figure out why....Armenians wake up especially in diaspora .YOU YOUNGMEN YOUNGWOMEN go to Armenia to Tzaghgadzor in Winterimte to ski, Spring a nd summer to work all over Armenia /RA.Forget passing your vacations /free time else where. imagine what this can do for Armenia WHOLESALE not just a feqw groups of AYF or and and Culture people,whole charter aircrafts...
Read book by American Armenian author, Jaack Hashian, now dead-entitled " m a m i g o n " quite a bit more important than 40 days of Mussa Dagh...
my name "Shantagizoum"
I applaude the efforts of the mayor of Kars for his push to opening the Armenian-Turkish border. I think that it would help both countries economically (especially Gyumri and the rest of the Shirak region of Armenia) as well as strengthen their relations with one another.
However, I believe that Turkey and organizations such as the Global Heritage Fund should acknowledge Kars's Armenian past and its significance to Armenian history (as most of us already know, it once served as the capital for Bagratid Armenia). Such acknowledgement would entice Armenia to have a hand in helping revitalize the city.
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