Man burns himself to death

Here’s shocking news. A man identified as Jivan Hakobian from the Armavir region, burned himself alive in front of a government building in Yerevan yesterday.

Apparently, Hakobian, a 44-year old father of four children, was crying out anti-government statements before he poured gasoline all over his body and set himself on fire. He died a few hours later in the hospital.

No one has identified what truly caused him to do this, but according to a few news articles, he had demanded a grant form the government ‘in compensation for his bank savings that had been wiped out by the hyperinflation in the early 90s.’ He had also, apparently requested to meet with Gagik Tsarukyan (Prosperous Party) related to this issue, but was shrugged off.

Who knows of so many other people who, like Hakobian, are completely irritated and feel helpless? I don’t think people will go to this extreme (i.e. burn themselves), but it’s an indication of how much frustration is built up in the citizens of Armenia.

Election Depression

The following is a comment on an election monitor website. I want to respond to this here to elaborate on a point:

"i am tired of how things are becoming worse and worse for the rank and file. i mean, look I am in the US teaching and researching a painful period in our nation’s history and doing what we call an azganpast thing and i don’t even have a freaking house but domik of a joke to live in when i am in armenia even 19 years after the earthquake? i don’t know if i am doing the right thing anymore. why should i stay in armenia? or worse yet, why i should i bring my children to armenia where it seems the government just does not give shit about the people? i am really really tired and disappointed. if anyone has a better alternative drop me a note."

Since my response is not directed toward the commenter, rather the general sentiment it represents, I wont mention their name. This is truly a sad situation and common sentiment, I realize. But here's the thing. NO government in the world cares about its people. It's the people who hold their governments accountable to the people that see results, and even then, no one is ever satisfied but at least you have a functioning society. So giving up on the elections is going to get us no where fast and guarantee a failed democratic system.

There are a group of young activists organizing now who are taking a positive approach to changing their country and this is the only hope we have to doing something. I realize people are afraid of their government and that's a valid fear as we've seen what they do when people speak out. But it's when people stop protesting that they know these methods are effective. I don't have the answers on what will work other than being an observer, but I can say that running scared will guarantee this countries fate.

The blog this commenter was reacting to was covering the man who set himself on fire in protest in the Republic Square while a group of others protested in front of the Presidential Palace. It's obvious that the masses agree that we need change. If only they were able to organize in the masses. I hope people aren't too pessimistic to see the potential in that.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP BILL PASSED

Yerevan, February 26, Armenpress: Armenia's parliament has endorsed today in the second and final reading a draft legislation allowing foreign nationals of Armenian descent to become citizens of Armenia. The bill was supported by 66 votes with 5 votes against and one abstention.

The legislation consisting of a package of bills on making changes to a set of laws regulates practical modalities of dual citizenship, which was introduced in Armenia in November 2005 as part of a constitutional reform. Just minister David Harutunian, who presented the bill, said a change made to the bill says that people with dual citizenship can take part in Armenian elections only given they are registered in Armenia as residents of the country. This in turn requires that they should be registered also by military commissariats.

The bill says that citizenship of Armenia may be claimed by people of Armenian descent aged 18 and more who have a three-year permanent residential record in the country, who are able to speak Armenia and who are familiar with its constitution. Besides, the citizenship may be granted to couples in which one of the spouses or their child is a citizen of Armenia.

The bill denies Armenian citizenship to people whose activity may damage the country's national interests. People with dual citizenship can participate in elections but will not be allowed to run for Armenian presidency and seek a seat in the National Assembly. People with dual citizenship may serve in the Armenian army, but they are exempted from it if they have served 12 months in the regular armed forces in the country of their primary citizenship or 18 months as alternative military service.

It also says citizens of Armenia who have received a second citizenship are not exempted from mandatory service in the Armenian armed forces. The legislation was opposed by five lawmakers from the pro-government United Labor Party because it stipulates that members of Armenia's government can be dual citizens. Party chairman Gurgen Arsenian argues that this means a partial loss of Armenia's sovereignty.

The passage of the legislation was hailed today by a representative of the ARF, Ruben Hovsepian, who described it as another chance for Armenians worldwide to rally around their homeland. "This legislation will allow our compatriots living in different countries to feel themselves full citizens of Armenia," he said.

But Andranik Hovakimian from the former ruling Armenian National Movement (ANM) said it will create only new problems, increase such vices as corruption and give rise to xenophobic sentiments in Armenia. "Only people who lived and continue living in Armenia must be eligible to decide the fate of their country and its domestic and foreign policies," he said, accusing the ARF of championing the legislation with one aim- to win more votes in national elections as it has many supporters among Diaspora Armenians.'

Source: Armenpress

Hayko at Eurovision 2007

Surprise, surprise ... Hayko is representing Armenia at Eurovision 2007 in Helsinki.

Eurovision Song Contest 2007

There is no doubt about widespread corruption in this country. Not only in government, but in EVERY sphere.

May 12 is the date of the forthcoming parliament elections, but on that same day we will see another event which I’m sure more youth are looking forward too than the elections … Eurovision.

These past 2 days we saw 20 songs performed in a national competition which will determine who shall represent Armenia in this year’s coming contest. (Supposedly they received 120 submissions.)

Sargis from Russia performed a song which I think would've EASILY gripped a spot in the top 10 songs (out of approximately 40 other countries that will participate), but of course our corrupt jury had to choose artists with close ties with the government instead.

Along with Sargis, Meri Voskanyan, a Pop Idol contestant from Germany, performed beautifully, but the jury didn’t choose her as part of their 2 choices. She was lucky though; the jury breached the rules and let her through as a so-called wildcard, stating, “She’s from Germany and lacks local support so we will support her and choose her as a third choice.” Why Sargis and Meri were not chosen over the other performers to begin with was blatant rigging.

Tonight, 7 out of the 20 performances will perform and the jury, NOT THE PUBLIC, will decide who shall go to Finland in May.

Let them send someone who does not deserve it and lose. These people need a major slap in the face to realize that in the end corruption hurts only us.

Here's the official Armenian Eurovision site where you can see who performed in the national competition, including lyrics, videos and photos.

Destination by choice - still a long way to go

Armenia is indeed expanding on all fronts. Just recently on a short visit to Dilijan, I noticed how Tufenkian is giving the beautiful old part of that town a BIG facelift. Come next summer, there will be a new destination on the “must see” of tourists.

I also took part in a one week training course to accredit trainers in Armenia who would in turn train the staff in the hospitality industry on the how to’s and standardization etc. Mostly this would teach Armenia to become more competitive for the traveling markets. Hopefully in a few years Armenia will be the destination of choice for any travelers in search of discovery, eco-tourism and just plain comfortable traveling.

opinios may differ but facts are facts

Although I see where Raffi K is coming from, and that this site belongs to him, I somehow feel that in order to better understand who we are right now we need to be able to talk about all the good and bad in our history. This means that some people may choose to highlight the positive aspects of an issue and others need to contest it - the fact remains however that Stalin was indeed a criminal but that during the soviet era developments did take place (urban planning of Yerevan, industrialization, evolution of the intellectual and cultural class). Now to assume what could have been or what should have been remains only a theory.

Having said this, I am not claiming that I support the fact that Stalin or the soviet regime was a triumph, but I do think there were some positive aspects that came out of it. For instance, at the end of the 19th C early 20th C when most of Yerevan was a big village and was hosting thousands of refugees from the realm of the genocide being carried out in western Armenia; when there was no transportation, energy, telecom or plumbing infrastructure in the country; when educational institutions were scarce; when most of the northern part of the country was populated by Giorgian and most of the Eastern and some of the southern part were populated by Azeris – to be honest, where was the government of that time was going to find the resources to build all of the above. OK, assuming that some money did come from the then small Diaspora, assuming that international grants could have been allocated, assuming that Armenians would have found the strength to evolve rapidly, assuming and more assuming…

I reiterate my thoughts from the first paragraph, facts remain and the rest is all left up for assumption.

Countdown to the (uh-hum) democratic elections?

So much is happening in Armenian now with the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Have you noticed the way in which the police force is currently working? The police no longer are stopping cars randomly to collect their daily bribes from drivers. Instead they have been told to stop drivers only when they drive recklessly and give out tickets without accepting pay offs. I tend to think that this ‘evolution’ is a game to help current authorities win the elections (I hope I’m wrong).

Also recently, the Central Election Commission has implemented a new strategy to help ensure that citizens actively participate during this year’s parliamentary elections. There are new announcements made through local Armenian radio stations encouraging citizens to register themselves for the elections. Citizens may go online (www.elections.am) to register themselves. But the majority of the population either does not have access to Internet or are not computer literate, so I’m not sure how this will help.

Opposition authorities insist that the current and amended Election Code is still very weak and allows for undemocratic ambiguities. But what is the general perception and opinion of the public? The Election Code may be amended and the general election and voting process revised, but what, many are asking, actually happens before the election process begins?

Several Armenians have told me that they are not registered to vote and when they have gone to register themselves (and have brought the appropriate documentation), they were given the runaround. Others have told me that they are registered but they refuse to waste their time to vote because their voice does not count and that votes are already pre-bought by local authorities (through bribes).

Whatever electoral amendments may have been implemented, and no matter how many international organizations monitor the election process, the question remains whether the public will have the political will and faith to actively participate in these upcoming parliamentary elections. Even if it does, it will remain to be seen whether there have been democratic, real and fair changes in the pre-election period.

Dual Citizenship inches closer...

I am happy to read that the provisions of dual citizenship are being discussed in great length in Parliament now, and it seems that despite large disagreements, the issue is being discussed and soon hopefully settled in a workable way. Of course residency, voting and holding office are some of the big sticking points.

Read the full article.

I'm glad I will be able to go to a KotaykNights event before heading back to Armenia. There's a gathering tonight for this group that encourages restaurants and bars to carry Armenian beer, and has a good time doing it!

Bring books and magazines...

For those of you visiting Armenia this year, with some extra space in your luggage, or thinking of what would make good gifts for people in Armenia - bring something that will help them learn English! Grab your old books, go to the Salvation Army or other thrift stores and buy good books for a dollar or less, save good magazines for people just learning (National Geographic, Readers Digest, etc), get books for younger readers (Hardy Boys, Disney, whatever), and give them out in Armenia. Give them to children, the young, give them to taxi drivers or waiters trying out a few words of English on you, give it to a school for their library, hell, just leave it out on a street somewhere. There really is precious little access to this type of material in Armenia and I think having more of these materials around will help both satisfy a need that is there, and create more interest and demand. There is no good place to go for cheap English books and magazines.

If you feel up for it, go to bookcrossing.com and print out some tags to attach to the books which tell people who pick them up to read them, then leave them out again somewhere for another person to read. The theory is that each person who picks it up will log in an share where they found it, what they thought of it, and where they released it. If that's too much trouble, write "FREE BOOK - PASS ALONG" or something like that all over the outside to encourage people both to take it (if you're just leaving it in say, Ijevan town square), and to give it to someone when they're done. If you're leaving it somewhere where expats hang out, you might include a note asking people to not take the book out of Armenia...

Anyway, just a thought. I'm shipping a few hundred books, most of them slated for "release" into the wild...

Raising the Bar

***A few words on the genocide resolution situation in DC. It seems the Turks have pumped up their muscles to fight the genocide resolution in and are bringing in heavy weights to fight their battle. I can't give details on this just yet, but when I have more information, I will share. There will be an advocacy day in Washington, DC focused on the Armenian Genocide and Darfur Genocide legislation, inviting people to direct their vocal intolerance for genocide denial and complacency to US Congress. This advocacy day will take place in March, I will share more info when I have it.***

On to raising the bar. I just had a discussion with a girl in my office who was born and raised in Armenia, briefly lived in Russia and returned. She has a very different life experience than I do which speaks true of the Armenian Diaspora in comparison to the current Republic natives. This is a difference she is trying to grasp in order to understand the nature of the Diaspora. I am trying the same. She asked me a question: do I wish I was born and raised in Armenia. My answer was no. I made the conscious decision to move to Armenia at a very strategic time in my life, but my experiences as a Diasporan were integral to my appreciation for the Armenian world, education, and consciousness. I am convinced that if she lived in my shoes, she would be the same as me and I her. If I was born and raised here, I don't think I could or would do what I do now, and the same probably goes for most of the thriving Diaspora. The simple truth is that so many talents were deprived of opportunity due to circumstance, a misfortune I'm glad I didn't have.

So what does this mean for our differences? Nothing at all. It just means our experiences will take us elsewhere. I'm a big believer that it's okay for locals to travel abroad and see the world, learn from it, and learn what it is to be Armenian in a strange place. That struggle in itself is valuable in itself to learn the appreciation for your identity. And frankly, the world is a beautiful thing that should be embraced, not feared.

I also had a great conversation with someone with far more experience in life, around the world, and Armenia than I. We revelled in the fact that Armenians around the world are fascinating people with so many varying success stories and talents. The beautiful part of it all is that the Armenian identity has stayed with so many of them and ties them to a little place called Armenia for reasons no one can explain. The fact that we have this independent country offers a place to channel extra energy. Armenia is a breeding ground for knowledge, talent and expertise and the reason is that locals and Diasporans alike are combining their experiences to create a unique quality. There are times where advancements in Armenia shock Diasporans. For example, someone once suggested that Armenia should draw in the film industry to come film in Armenia. With all this open beautiful land, its such an opportunity not tapped. Another said that if musicians make immaculate recordings in Armenia, it can draw international musicians to come to Armenia to do the same and expose both Armenia and the international world to each other.

I'll give an example. Our dear friend Raffi Meneshian on the Diaspora side made contact with top notch Italian classical guitarists, brought them into his originally Armenian music label, brought me into the production end, and we are now making a quality product musically and professionally. Hopefully, we can bring these guys to Armenia to perform, they will see what Armenia has to offer and Armenia will see what the world has to offer.

So many people around Armenia are marvelled at the incredible fast pace which Armenia's economy is advancing and it's these small stories which are adding up. It's by raising the bar on all levels that this trend will continue, and if it does at this rate, there's no telling where Armenia will continue to grow in the region, even in the world. We are already getting there as it is. I mean, there is an Apple Retailer in Armenia just months after I thought about how much I wish there would be an Apple Retailer here. Granted it's extremely expensive, but none the less, it's here. Even in my work with various clients around the world, they are learning what it is to work with professionals in a place like Armenia... often much more beneficial than their next door neighbors. This isn't a pro-globalization speech preeching that Americans outsource their jobs to under-developed countries at all. Rather, it's an observation that we have enough to offer in order to compete in any industry we chose to bring to the table. Diasporans and locals can both play a role to make Armenia an incredible place for... life.

Finally, I just wanted to share a new photo from my trip to Italy. Loved it.

Shipping to Armenia

One of the bloggers here has been using a great service to ship stuff to Yerevan, and I finally got a chance to use it. So far, I'm extremely impressed. You pick up as many boxes as you need (there are two standard sizes) - and the box I got can be filled with ANYTHING you like for $35. Anything? Yup, weight is not an issue. I filled a big box (I'm guessing 18x18x18 inches) full of books, it weighed a ton, and they didn't mind at all. They handle all the potential customs headaches and bring it to your door in Yerevan. BUT, it does take a few months, since it is shipped by sea. Other things to note, you have to get the stuff to them in their little old office in North Hollywood, and the only way to contact them appears to be by phone, and the only payment accepted is cash or check.

So what, you say? You don't live in LA? Well if you live elsewhere you can send stuff to them, or mail order stuff to their address, and they'll just measure it and charge you by volume (likewise you can always drop off odd sized boxes to their office and they will measure it and charge accordingly). They have a Yerevan office, so in theory you should be able to order stuff online, have them ship it to Yerevan, and you pay the Yerevan office. An interesting theory, which I will have to test, despite my fears of the complications involved.

So the magical contact information is:
Bravo Travel and Shipping
12011 Victory Blvd. #103
N. Hollywood, CA 91606
818-572-6306

Good luck to all of us!

Genocide legislation enjoys 170 co-sponsors so far

Guys, I couldn't help but just copy/paste this one. With everything going on, now is really the time to push this resolution through the House, into the Senate, and wipe the White House clean. See below and call your Congressmen in the US (info below is for the East Coast, do your research for the rest of the US.):


Hello everyone,

The Turkish opposition is continuing to grow. They are meeting with members of congress, sending personal letters to their Congressman, and inviting them to “visit Turkey.” Please continue to get your activists to call. If your Congressman has already signed on, please see who else in your state has not signed on, as well as helping to contact other areas/states that might need help with calling. If people can help make phone calls into Ohio and Florida, that would be great. We are hoping to move the legislation into committee in the coming weeks. Once it comes out of committee, we will be unable to attain more cosponsors. I am attaching a list of congressman we still need to contact. There are over a dozen that were signed on to H. Res 316, and have not signed on to H. Res 106. There names and tel. numbers are in the spreadsheet.

As we speak Turkey’s foreign minister, Gul, is meeting with Congressman, encouraging them to oppose this legislation.
I am attaching the Turkish files that have been going around Congress. Please pass it on to activists, to help motivate them to make in calls. I am also attaching the file for all the current cosponsors, including the West Coast. You can also go to this link: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:1:./temp/~c110vMRDiR:: to get the most updated list of cosponsors, and information on the legislation. Can’t open this link, go to www.thomas.loc.gov, and search 106 or Armenian Genocide.

ATTACHMENTS: (Arsineh's note... this wasn't sent to me, so I can't attach them, but I'll try to do so soon.)
Turkish lobbying- denial mail
Current cosponsors as of 2/7/07 1500 EST
“Low Hanging” Congressman we need to call

Phone script below

EAST COAST CONGRESSMEN
SPONSORS: Schiff, Radanovich
Armenian Caucus co-chairs: Pallone, Knollenberg
Arkansas
Rep Berry, Marion [AR-1] - 1/31/2007
Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] - 1/31/2007
Connecticut
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] - 1/31/2007
Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4] - 1/31/2007
DC
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] - 1/31/2007
Florida
Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] - 1/31/2007
Rep Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [FL-21] - 1/31/2007
Rep Diaz-Balart, Mario [FL-25] - 1/31/2007
Georgia
Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [GA-2] - 1/31/2007
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] - 1/31/2007
Rep Scott, David [GA-13] - 1/31/2007
Illinois
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] - 1/31/2007
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] - 1/31/2007
Rep Lipinski, Daniel [IL-3] - 1/31/2007
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 1/31/2007
Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] - 1/31/2007
Rep Bean, Melissa L. [IL-8] - 1/31/2007
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 1/31/2007
Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] - 1/31/2007
Rep Weller, Jerry [IL-11] - 1/31/2007
Rep Costello, Jerry F. [IL-12] - 1/31/2007
Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 1/31/2007
Rep Shimkus, John [IL-19] - 1/31/2007
Indiana
Rep Visclosky, Peter J. [IN-1] - 1/31/2007
Rep Souder, Mark E. [IN-3] - 1/31/2007
Kansas
Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3] - 1/31/2007
Rep Melancon, Charlie [LA-3] - 1/31/2007
Maine
Rep Allen, Thomas H. [ME-1] - 1/31/2007
Maryland
Rep Sarbanes, John P. [MD-3] - 1/31/2007
Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] - 1/31/2007
Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 1/31/2007
Massachusetts
Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] - 1/31/2007
Rep Neal, Richard E. [MA-2] - 1/31/2007
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 1/31/2007
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 1/31/2007
Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] - 1/31/2007
Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] - 1/31/2007
Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] - 1/31/2007
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] - 1/31/2007
Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [MA-9] - 1/31/2007
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 1/31/2007
Minnesota
Rep Walz, Timothy J. [MN-1] - 1/31/2007
Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4] - 1/31/2007
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 2/5/2007
Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] - 1/31/2007
Michigan
Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] - 1/31/2007
Rep Rogers, Mike J. [MI-8] - 1/31/2007
Rep Miller, Candice S. [MI-10] - 1/31/2007
Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] - 1/30/2007
Rep Levin, Sander M. [MI-12] - 1/31/2007
Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. [MI-13] - 1/31/2007
Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] - 1/31/2007
Rep Dingell, John D. [MI-15] - 1/31/2007
Missouri
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 1/31/2007
Rep Carnahan, Russ [MO-3] - 1/31/2007
Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5] - 1/31/2007
New Jersey
Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] - 1/31/2007
Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [NJ-2] - 1/31/2007
Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] - 1/31/2007
Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5] - 1/31/2007
Rep Ferguson, Mike [NJ-7] - 1/31/2007
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 1/31/2007
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] - 1/31/2007
Rep Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. [NJ-11] - 1/31/2007
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 1/31/2007
Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13] - 1/31/2007
New York
Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] - 1/31/2007
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] - 1/31/2007
Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] - 1/31/2007
Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] - 1/31/2007
Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] - 1/31/2007
Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] - 1/31/2007
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 1/31/2007
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] - 2/5/2007
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 1/31/2007
Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] - 1/31/2007
Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] - 1/31/2007
Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] - 1/31/2007
Rep McNulty, Michael R. [NY-21] - 1/31/2007
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 1/31/2007
Ohio
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] - 1/31/2007
Rep Jones, Stephanie Tubbs [OH-11] - 1/31/2007
Rep Ryan, Tim [OH-17] - 1/31/2007
Pennsylvania
Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] - 1/31/2007
Rep English, Phil [PA-3] - 1/31/2007
Rep Gerlach, Jim [PA-6] - 1/31/2007
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] - 1/31/2007
Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] - 1/31/2007
Rep Dent, Charles W. [PA-15] - 1/31/2007
Rep Holden, Tim [PA-17] - 1/31/2007
Rhode Island
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] - 1/31/2007
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 1/31/2007
South Carolina
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] - 1/31/2007
Virginia
Rep Cantor, Eric [VA-7] - 1/31/2007
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 1/31/2007
Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] - 1/31/2007
Wisconsin
Rep Ryan, Paul [WI-1] - 1/31/2007
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 1/31/2007
Rep Kind, Ron [WI-3] - 1/31/2007
Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [WI-5] - 1/31/2007


PHONE SCRIPT
Hi my name is (insert name here), and I'm an Armenian activist in Cong. (insert name here)’s district. I was calling to see if Congressman/woman (insert last name here) will cosponsor the new Armenian Genocide legislation, H.Res 106. The resolution is an exact carbon copy as the previous genocide resolution, H. Res. 316. (if you’re Congressman cosponsored H. Res. 316, mention that here). If he/she would like to cosponsor you can contact Tim Bergreen/Chris Herndon (see below for explanation). There are currently over 160 representatives signed on to the legislation, and we're hoping the Congressman/woman will sign on to it. We look forward to working with you in the 110th Congress. If you have any questions, you can contact the Armenian National Committee of America at 202-775-1918.
Thank you

****NOTE: You are only asking the Congressional staffer to call ONE of the following 2 people depending on the party affiliation of the Congressman you have called****

1 – If you’re calling a Democrat Congressman’s office, his/her office should contact Tim Bergreen at Cong. Schiff's office at timothy.bergreen@mail.house.gov

2 – If you’re calling a Republican Congressman’s office, his/her office should contact Chris Herndon at Cong. Radanovich's office at chris.herndon@mail.house.gov

New Turkey-Georgia Railway exposes a wagonload of manure.

From RFE/RL: Leaders of Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan signed an agreement Wednesday to build a railroad line that will link the three nations and provide a new route for trade between Turkey and the Caucasus Mountain nations.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the deal in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi...

Construction is expected to start in June on the $600 million rail line...

Well this news article says so much about other headlines - and their believability.

First of all, let me clarify to those of you who weren't aware, there already IS a railway connecting Turkey to Georgia and Azerbaijan - but it happens to pass through Armenia, which means Turkey has closed it down.

Rather than simply reopen it, they plan to spend SIX HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS - money that certainly all three countries could use elsewhere.

So what do the new headlines stating that Armenia and Azerbaijan are very very very close to a peace deal mean in light of this news? That Azerbaijan is not really serious about sealing the deal at all. Otherwise they could easily depend on the old rail line functioning before the ink on the peace deal even dries.

What does it mean in light of Erdogan's post-Dink assassination comments? He's full of shit. This was his big chance to announce he is opening the border with Armenia. Instead, he is tightening the last screw he possibly can in isolating Armenia further. He says all the right things to the public, the media and the west. Then he does what he means to do. I wish the Armenian community of Istanbul would take the huge step of publicly demostrating against this now. Stating it is NOT what Hrant Dink would want. The publicity would be immense and there would have to be some kind of a reaction.

What does Saakashvili's comment later on in the article, stating "We are witnessing huge changes. We do not want any neighboring country to be left outside these processes." mean? Well he's a politician... actions speak louder than words.

Repatriate! Don't listen to your parents!

It's funny that one of the top reasons young American-Armenians cite for not moving to Armenia is their parents complaints. Along with the weak job market, this is one of the top 2 reasons I hear from young Armenians who would like to move to Armenia.

What the hell? I grew up hearing my parents generation moaning about how if only there was an independent Armenia... if only Turkey gave us back our lands. Just 50 years ago, hundreds of thousands of Armenians from the middle east repatriated to Armenia. SOVIET Armenia. Now that was pretty crazy, but they did it because it was the only Armenia we had.

Today, Armenia is independent, safe, is "connected" (lots of flights, cheap to call, internt), has loads of business opportunities, is affordable, and offers a lot more... but Armenian parents in the west either can't stand to see their babies so far (well they can retire in Hayastan too) or they consider it a bad career move. Oh come on. We are not the broken nation we were after the genocide where we have to worry about where our next meal is coming from. We can afford to do something more with our lives than fill another corporate slot in the US if that isn't for us.

Yes, moving to Armenia isn't for everyone, but if a young Armenian is thinking about it... I find it unimaginable that it is the PARENT that is the primary obstacle. Thinking that they're doing the right thing, but instead depriving their kid and Armenia of something that is irreplaceable.

For some reason I needed to get that off my chest this morning. I wish Armenian parents would be more supportive of such a decision, and in fact more encouraging. Perhaps more parents can start thinking of getting a place in Hayastan and semi-retiring in Armenia themselves...

Rant over.

Italian Alps

Went to Italy for the day yesterday, just wanted to share a quick photo... ain't she purty?

Baja

I just got back from a 2 week camping road-trip in southern Baja California, Mexico. It was breathtaking, exhausting, warm, cut-off, and many other things. I only got online for 15 minutes once to make sure the world was still there, but otherwise had no time. Covering about almost 1,000 miles, much of it off-road takes some serious time - despite the fact that Baja's dirt roads are like superhighways (for the most part) compared to Armenia's. That is probably in great part due to the extremely dry climate there that does not wash out the dirt and erode the road, but the government was obviously very serious about maintaining both the paved and dirt roads which get smoothed by tractors. So many comparisons it's impossible to get into them. I landed in Cabo and left the next morning - getting back on my last night and flying back. So although I tried at 4:50pm my last night to meet Mike, the only Armenian in Cabo, the scuba shop was closed. Eh, next time. So now I am left sorting out my actual mail from spam - over 1,000 emails to sort through, find out what happened in the world while I was gone, and post some pictures eventually on flickr...

As they say in Armenia, gamats gamats. Tonight I'm checking out the Mission District in San Francisco. It's nice to be clean, online, connected and comfortable again!

Floating in Geneva

The mood, the air, the vibe in Geneva is enough to give a natural high. No wonder the Swiss are so relaxed all the time. I arrived in Geneva just yesterday and have been eating so much chocolate, I might turn into a chocolate nugget myself.

I'm here on a photo shoot with Raffi Meneshian from the Diaspora blog, photographing two Italian classical guitarists for their next album. They are true characters.

While I'm here, I managed to pick up a few copies of the Time Magazine Europe copy for the DVD they inserted about the Armenian Genocide. I haven't had a chance to watch it, but wow. Back to back the story unravels. Hrant Dink's murder brings the genocide issue to the front headline of all major news outlets, then the US House introduces legislation recognizing the genocide, now Time Europe inserts a documentary on the genocide in the magazine for free. What's next? Villagers start handing over the dees back to Armenian families in Western Armenia? Yalla, I'm waiting. I believe my grandfather's family originated in a small village called Shoushan in the Van province.

Anyway, let's put the focus back on the House resolution in the US. Many hints reveal that Speaker Pelosi's staff is standing strong on passing this resolution to the floor for a vote, and all signs point to it passing with an overwhelming majority. The next step is Senate... and then Bush. The way things are going, it looks like Turkey might beat them to it. I hear from some Bolsahyes in Armenia talking about how politics in Turkey has been turned upside down because of Dinks murder. We'll see.

Anyhoo, back to the wonderful scenery of Switzerland. Tomorrow we travel through the Alps for nature shots. Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Yerevan's First Retrospective Party

Fellow bloggers Raffi N, Arsineh and I are hosting the first ever Retro 80's (and some 90's) night on February 10. If you are in the city, come check it out!