Life in Armenia

Fountains

noreply@blogger.com (Arina) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:29:00 +0000

Wow - it seems like forever since I last blogged. Most of you probably don't know me (or have forgotten me) by now :-) so here's a quick refresher: I repatriated to Armenia six years ago with the help of the Armenian Volunteer Corps June 2002, started working for an American non-profit organization by the name of IREX, got married, and had a daughter in January 2007 (how do such small beings have so MUCH energy... someone fill me in, please!)

During this time I've gone through a lot of ups and downs and am currently at an all time high of how much I love being here (though I am bummed by the upcoming departure of two of the "oldest" repats). Yesterday I took a walk to hraparak and saw a mesmerizing water fountain show where they synchronize water movements with super loud music. I will have to take a picture and post one of these days.

Also - did you all hear about Armenia's under 21 soccer team beating Turkey 2-1? I was at my apartment downtown and could hear the throng of fans screaming "Hayastan" for more than an hour!

It's a good time to be here!

site update

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi K.) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 04:25:00 +0000

Good news... I've taken the sites off the market - my news stirred some conversation with a good friend and we've talked a good deal about what the sites need and what ideas we have for the sites. He has the perfect setup to give the sites a lot of dedicated attention. Keep your eyes peeled for lots of good things to come :-)

If any readers out there want to join one of the 4 blogs on this site, let me know. Things have been a bit too quiet lately, and fresh voices and ideas might invigorate things.

Repatriation Making News

noreply@blogger.com (Arsineh) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:53:00 +0000

Not sure how this made AP news and then some, but here it is... found it on yahoo news yesterday, listed as fifth in top news items. I feel a strong upswing in Armenia on the way.

Long in diaspora, Armenians return home
By Maria Danilova

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — What would prompt a young family to abandon a comfortable life and move to a poor country where running water is still a luxury for many, politics are messy and the threat of war looms large?
For Aline Masrlian, 41, her husband, Gevork Sarian, and their two children, it was their motherland calling.
"It is something special when you live in your own land," said Masrlian, who moved here after her family had lived for generations in Syria.

Lured by the economic opportunities in a fast changing country and the lure of home, some people from Armenia's vast diaspora are moving to the land that their ancestors had long kept alive as little more than an idea. Longtime residents, meanwhile, are no longer fleeing the country in large numbers.

While 3.2 million people live in this landlocked Caucasus mountain nation — the smallest of the ex-Soviet republics — an estimated 5.7 million Armenians reside abroad. The largest disappears are in Russia (2 million), the United States (1.4 million), Georgia (460,000) and France (450,000), according to government data.

Most of the diaspora, like Masrlian's family, are descendants of those who fled the killings of up to 1.5 million Armenians in Ottoman Turkey during World War I — a tragedy Armenia wants to be recognized as genocide but modern Turkey insists was an inherent part of the war's violence.

Much later, others ran away from the economic collapse that Armenia suffered following the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union, when electricity was available only several hours a day, people had to chop down trees for heat, and bread and butter were strictly rationed.

The devastating conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, in which over 30,000 people have died, compounded the exodus. An estimated 500,000 people left the country in 1992-94, many heading to Russia.

However, over the past four years Armenia has registered an overall population inflow of 33,200, the first positive trend since gaining independence in 1991 with the Soviet collapse, said Vahan Bakhshetian, a migration expert with the Territorial Management Ministry. While it's difficult to tell how many Armenians are returning permanently, Bakhshetian said the trend offers hope.

"We are now seeing many of those who had left return," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Vladimir Karapetian.
Among the returnees are many from the Russian diaspora. Some are lured back by economic improvements here, while others are escaping growing xenophobia in Russia.

Garik Hayrapetyan of the United Nations Population Fund said Armenians also are no longer leaving in large numbers, but he cautioned that the emerging repatriation will not be sustained without economic and political progress.

For many, the country's biggest asset is its rich cultural heritage. Two millennia ago, Armenia was a vast kingdom stretching between the Black and Caspian seas. Eventually it was divided and absorbed by bigger states, including the Ottoman empire and czarist Russia, and later the Soviet Union.

Armenians like to brag that Noah's Ark came to rest in their country, on the biblical Mount Ararat — though the snowcapped mountain is now part of Turkey, overlooking Yerevan. The country is said to be the first state to adopt Christianity as its religion.

Still, in many ways Armenia remains an unlikely place to attract returnees. Despite economic progress in recent years, over a quarter of the population lives in poverty and the average monthly wage is a meager $275.

Outside aid is crucial. Diaspora Armenians send millions of dollars for investment and aid projects, and much of the population survives on individual money transfers from relatives abroad. The International Monetary Fund estimates that remittances make up 10 percent of the country's economy.

Those sending money are moved by the same love of country that draws Armenians back. James Tufenkian, an Armenian-American, has invested some $30 million in reviving the traditional carpet industry — largely destroyed in the Soviet era — building hotels and running charity efforts. Today, he provides jobs to over 1,000 people here.

Tufenkian, 47, said he decided to help after his first visit at the height of Armenia's economic decline in the early 1990s.
"I felt like I had a chance to do something to improve people's lives, that it was my homeland calling," Tufenkian said in a telephone interview from New York.

Today, Yerevan is slowly transforming itself from a run-down city into a vibrant, modern capital. The downtown boasts Western boutiques, expensive restaurants and young people in trendy outfits.

Yet the rest of the city, perched on steep hills, is a bleak mix of Soviet-era concrete apartment blocks and dilapidated two- and three-story houses with laundry hanging on balconies. The air is heavily polluted, mostly from the exhaust of the battered Soviet-era cars that clog the city. Some districts in Yerevan continue to have shortages of running water, which were common in the 1990s.

While Armenia is considered one of the freer countries among post-Soviet republics, its fragile hold on democracy became apparent earlier this year. Eight people were killed in clashes between government forces and opposition activists protesting election results. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict also keeps tensions high.

But ask Gevork Sarian about life in Armenia, and the emigre who returned from Syria with his wife and children talks more about finding a homeland than about the wider political climate.

The bearded, smiling Sarian attended university in Yerevan in the early 1980s and said he always wanted to return. The family moved back in 1998, and he started several successful businesses, including a lingerie store run by his wife.

Now 46, Sarian said he had felt separated from his Syrian neighbors. "Even if they look at you in a good way, you are still a stranger — this is the feeling of Armenian diaspora everywhere," he said.

His 15-year-old son Ardag added that in Armenia "you feel that it is your country."

Repatriation wasn't as easy for Aline Masrlian, the wife in the family. She recalled a middle-class life in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, with running water available 24 hours a day and the markets full of fruits and vegetables. In Yerevan, when the family first arrived, water was on just two hours a day, sometimes the only bread she could find was stale, and she missed the job she had loved, as a construction engineer.

But 10 years later, sitting in a new, spacious apartment decorated with family photos, Aline said she has no regrets. "I decided that this is my country."

More recent returnee Zorair Atabekian, 36, hopes for a similar future. He came back in 2005 after five years in Canada, homesick and hoping to go into business. Though he still earns far less selling jewelry in Yerevan than he did running an apartment design firm in Montreal, he said he knew his decision would eventually prove right.

"Today this country offers a lot of possibilities," he said. "That is why many diaspora are returning here to start up businesses."

Come here often?

noreply@blogger.com (Arsineh) — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:05:00 +0000

I am hearing troubling things about drops in tourism and volunteer numbers this year which I believe to be the result of a few things, as follows.

a) Election turmoil. Since I remember the immediate fear and reactionary caution people take in the US when hearing of any conflict taking place around the world, I can only assume that parents of these volunteers and tourists are taking precautions. My reaction: unnecessary. My mother is the most cautious, but there's no other way to say it than this... Armenia is safe as it was before. There is nothing to fear unless you plan on giving up your US passport, taking on only Armenian citizenship, becoming a journalist and protesting publicly and daily against the government. Even then, you're not likely to see a reaction unless you rally thousands of people to join you.

b) Been there, done that. There was a boom in diasporan travels to Armenia. It seems everyone has made their journey and are content with just that. That's good and all, but there is a lot more to do than what most people achieved in their 2 week visits, including extreme tourism such as hiking, biking, camping, and even hand gliding, skydiving (i think they do that here), etc. I just heard about a few Polish guys planning on visiting a second time specifically do complete the full Karabagh Janapar (www.janapar.org). It might not be for everybody, but there certainly is much to do that you might not have achieved the first time around.

c) Booming Prices. Can't argue with you there, many of us repats struggle the most with this since our local salaries barely reached the cost of 1 flight a year plus rent, etc. Food prices are through the roof and even eating at home and being cost efficient isn't helping us make ends meet. For this I have no answer, this depends on each individual. Sorry.

d) The Novelty is Over. What was it in the first place that we lost anyway? I've been fighting with this for so long. Back in the days when things were so much more tasking, difficult and uncomfortable, most people seemed to enjoy their visits more. Somehow the experience of just "being in Armenia" sent chills down one's spine. Now I see more and more people who spent months out of the year in Armenia, just packing their bags early and putting their houses back on the market for sale. Sorry, I'll remind you, I share the cold harsh truth here, don't look to me for complete optimism and sugar-coating. It's true. Lots of loyal repats and visitors are turning away. The rest of us feel it and are pained by the reality. So it's not a utopia, we finally figured it out. But as I stated in a previous blog, most of the vibe here is based on our mentality about it... It's still a great place to live, if for nothing else, the amazing people you meet every year from all walks of life... that and the AMAZING nature.

So, friends... to conclude, come here often? Come here MORE often. :) And yes, book progress is coming along.

April 23, 2008 in Yerevan

noreply@blogger.com (Arsineh) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:03:00 +0000

Every year, the ARF youth in Armenia organize a rally and march from Freedom Square (Opera) to Dzidzernakabert, about a 2-3 hour walk. Last year was my first year and for me, it was a new experience that sent chills down my spine. Some could argue about the relevance of it in Armenia, where tens of thousands of kids from all over the world gather in Yerevan, and go virtually unseen by the mainstream media. But I think it's just as important to show that this unified message is also coming from the capital of the Armenia world. This march begins the commemorations in Armenia, and lay the foundation of flowers around the flame that are so iconically seen around the world.

As we marched through the streets, more than 10,000 people chanted "Jananchoom!" (recognition), all the buildings along the path were covered in candlelight as the residents approached their balconies to join in with solidarity. Aside from the fear of hair bursting up into flames with all the torches dispersed around, there was a feeling of unity that hasn't existed since the election riots. Perhaps it was something we needed to feel complete again.

This year, I marched with a group from Dubai and Lebanon, what originally would have been in the hundreds, but dwindled down to 20 or so after the effects of election riot fears kicked in. Here are some photos.

A New Armenia

noreply@blogger.com (Arsineh) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:52:00 +0000

Most repats can tell you that the vibe in the air has definitely changed in the last few months, but what it means is unknown. This might not be a favored or popular blog with the audiences, but I'm a firm believer that to change something, you need to look at it truthfully. Just as there is an uncertainty of the future of Armenia in the diaspora, there is a confusion in the repat community about the direction of the country they so belovedly returned to so many years ago. The tension in the air, the anger, and lack of respect for one another seems magnified by all the signs that once meant progress. Protests have only brought out more doubt in the people, and clearer divides. Economic progress has led to more pollution and traffic in Yerevan's center with no visible intent to regulate the chaos (starting with noisy clubs in residential areas and ending with the worst gridlock you could ever imagine). But worst among all, prices of everything have skyrocketed, especially food, making it no longer more practical to live here than anywhere else.

I sat with some fellow repats yesterday on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, sitting outdoors on Abovyan drinking tea, something I once considered paradise. We contemplated what it was that changed our experience for the worse and I realized what changed for me. I've been coming to Armenia since 1994, and have lived here for the last 2 years. In the best moments, I remember feeling such an overwhelming feeling of hope and potential that was once limitless. It seems now that the limits are surfacing and they exist dominantly within our own mentality... collectively. The cynicism is outrageous and growing rapidly, affecting everything around us. Even within myself, I feel a hopelessness challenging my primary objective in moving to Armenia, or even my desire to pursue those objectives.

What's the answer? Well, it's not to buck up and leave, that's for sure. The US, while cheaper on some levels, is certainly not the ideal location at this time with it's suffering economy... I wont go down the list. There is no other destination more attractive, which is a sad state of the world to realize at a time like this. So I stay. What on earth do I do to change what's around me, though? My answer... be nice. Smile. Remove hatred from my day. Stop looking at people as though I'm ready to strangle their children (I admit everything), learn to make them laugh instead. Overwhelm people with generosity (element of surprise is powerful). I was in a shoe store yesterday and all the women who worked there were either looking at themselves in the mirror fixing their hair, or frowning on my presence. My friends and I tried to act silly just to crack a smile... unsuccessful (can't win 'em all). But usually just being a freaky spaz to get a laugh is enough to lighten the mood. I suggest we all do the same, because we don't have another Armenia right now. This is it... and we need it to meet our own standards in every way.

a new beginning

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:34:00 +0000

Today was the official swearing in of Mr. Serge Sarksian as the new President of the Republic of Armenia. It really felt like an important event because ALL the streets were blocked… lots of police escorts...

Congrats to all Armenians (in Armenia and the Diaspora) for the beginning of a smooth era!

what does human rights have to do with the olympics?

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:20:00 +0000

I recently read this text written by a very good friend of mine, Karine Macri:

Made in China: Genocide ad Nauseum
As China continues its policy of violence against peaceful Tibetan demonstrators, I recoil at the fact that the World Olympics are only a few months away from their official launch, taking place this year, in Beijing, China. With recent major newspaper headlines, calling the Spiritual Leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, “helpless” in stopping the Chinese from attacking the protesters, as a US citizen, I wonder about the perversely selective foreign policy of the United States concerning the subject of genocide. As usual, conflicting reports about the numbers of casualties have appeared, citing a difference of 86 deaths, depending on who’s reporting. On March 20th 2008, the Chinese finally admitted to shooting protesters and their numbers show that 13 people have been killed. The Tibetan figures show that 99 people have been killed (including those in Lhasa), most of whom are monks, demanding the return of their land from the Chinese. These figures exclude the scores of arrests.

At first blush, the current situation in Tibet does not qualify as genocide, because technically a few protesters have been killed in voicing their opinions. There is no apparent systematic approach to annihilating the Tibetans as a whole. But that’s why human beings have the gift of reason. Reason allows us to look at things in context and when we do, we see a long-standing history of genocide being committed by the Chinese against the Tibetans. Why China was even selected as a contender for hosting the Olympics is beyond any honest reason. Imagine Turkey winning a human rights award (not for violations but for progress in the name of...). This is tantamount to China representing the best our world has to offer. I am saddened to think that in this day and age, when everything and everyone seems to be for sale, China might actually be the best our world has to offer.

China continues its white (and red) genocide against Tibet. The Tibetan government in exile is forced to conduct its business from Dharamsala, India. I wonder if they too, like the Armenians look over the guarded border and exclaim, “my what beautiful mountains we have!” The BBC reported that Condoleeza Rice has urged China to show restraint and enter into a dialogue with the Dalai Lama. I don’t know if she was laughing while saying it or if she was busy patting Chinese President, Hu Jintao, on the back. I should like to see the foreign policy of the United States reverberate the message of our own Declaration of Independence, “that all men are created equal,” and by that all men should be afforded the same right of protection when being savaged by a ruthless neighbour intent on their annihilation, not just select Bosnian Muslims because they are the cause du jour.

Our job at the Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute (AGMI) in Yerevan, Armenia is not to cast blame nor demand retribution; there are other organisations that cover those areas. Our job is to show the course of events. To document what happened in such a clear way, that the mere sight of this atrocity shocks the observer into intelligent action, ensuring this barbarism is never repeated. We are, at best the “groundskeepers” for our ancestors and act as a time capsule for those to come. There is no heroism in being the first genocide of the twentieth century. Much like there is no pomp behind being the first nation-state to accept Christianity as a national religion. Many say it, few practice the teachings diligently. That is why we acknowledge not only our own genocide but also the others that came before and those that have sadly, come after. We are the repository of facts.

These events in Tibet are as relevant today as our own genocide was while it was happening. Darfur, Sudan, still ongoing. What precept of goodwill and peace will the Chinese be functioning under during the Olympics? Perhaps they will change their ways. I hope they do. In the meantime, two more Tibetans were killed.

The PEOPLE have spoken

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:56:00 +0000

I have stopped believing in anything I hear from any source. Yesterday, I decided to take walk to Opera and see what was really happening. I had heard that the police were forcing people out of the opera square. people, mostly women, had decided to lay flowers and light candles in the memory of those who have lost their lives and for those who have disappeared after the March 1 incidents. We got some calls saying that people were being beaten and women were being forced out by force (violence and electric shocks). Other sources later confirmed these allegations.

However, nearly an hour into the silent protest, where people were to forma long line from the Opera House to the buildings of the Italian and French Embassies, I decided, enough of this hearsay, I want to see what is going on. What we saw was a large number of people - many of them leaders in NGOs and businesses. young and old, some holding candles and standing near a lamp post, but most of them silently walking up and sown the line from the Opera to the Embassies. There was a heavy presence of police and military - mostly for the "in case" situation. I saw no violent acts. On the contrary, people were taking photo and video footage of the entire thing, and the police did not interfere.

This demonstration said loud and clear, that the people are not on the side of this candidate or the other, but they were rooting for the side of fair and just governance. There was no leader guiding the people in yesterday's march... it was just the people.

URGENT CALL

noreply@blogger.com (Lara A.) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:16:00 +0000

From http://marti21.blogspot.com/

An urgent call to support
the silent protest in Yerevan, Armenia
on Friday, March 21, 5pm-7pm

The announcement outlined below has been extended to the citizens of the republic of Armenia, the vast majority of which continue to live in a state of terror, violence, political persecution, intimidation and total information black-out. On Friday, March 21, 2008, many will form a silent, human chain from 5pm to 7pm to focus the attention of the international community, yet again, on their plight

As indicated in the guidelines below, the sole purpose of the Silent Protest is to mourn and to remember those who have fallen prey to a totalitarian and sick regime, and to do so with respect and dignity.It is the duty of all us to bow our heads before such courage and above all, to support their efforts to regain their human dignity. After all, none of us in Europe, the US and Canada would tolerate a life without dignity and civil liberties for a single moment.Time is of the essence. Express your views to the Foreign ministry, the Prime Minister's Office and the President's office of Armenia.

Invitation to participate in a human chain of silent protest

All the citizens of the Republic of Armenia willing to express their indignation against the brutalities and massacres organized by the authorities of Armenia in the morning and evening of March 1st, those who decry the unconscionable political persecutions, arrests and trials of peaceful demonstrators that continue to this day, and those who mourn the memory of all victims of the events of the March 1st, are invited to participate in a Silent Protest on Friday, March 21, from 5pm to7pm.

Protesters will stand in silence, in a single row. The line will extend from Liberty Square (where the carnage of March 1 against peaceful and unsuspecting demonstrators was launched) through Northern Avenue, Abovyan Street, Republic Square, Vazgen Sargsyan Street and Italy Street. In the latter section the line will be situated on the walkway facing the Prosecutor General's Office.

Participants are urged to adhere to the following strict guidelines:

1. Participants will stand only and only on those parts of the path that are free of vehicular traffic, and on sidewalks, so as not to disrupt the normal flow of traffic in the city;

2. Participants will stand approximately 1meter apart from each other (approximately the span of extended arms);

3. Participants will stand in a single row;

4. If the number of participants exceeds the number of people that can be accommodated in a single row, the group surpassing that number will stand on the opposing sidewalk under the same guidelines to prevent traffic congestions and, to prevent the authorities from condemning it as a mass gathering;

5. In those areas where no opposite sidewalks exist, participants will not form a second row.

To express your protest, it is advised to have with you:

1. The photograph or photographs of any or some political prisoners (with their names and last names displayed) and hold them visibly in your hands or attached to your backs. If possible, print a few photographs of political prisoners and give them to the participant near you. Some photographs can be downloaded from the following website: http://marti21.blogspot.com/

2. You may tie black ribbons on your arms in memory of the victims of the March 1;

3. You may carry candles, placed in glasses (not to be blown out by the wind) in memory of the victims of March 1. And, you may simply wear a black outfit in memory of the victims of March 1.

ABOVE ALL,

1. Please maintain maximum and strict order;

2. Do not be swayed by any provocation;

3. If you feel impending danger and threat of the use of force, please leave your location in the row (you may return to your location when the threat is gone)

4. Answer questions posed by the police, the public, journalists and others without agitation and with calm.

For questions and suggestions please contact: marti.qsanmek@gmail.com

AMOT

noreply@blogger.com (Lara A.) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:25:00 +0000

El inch assem...

What about the forceful dispersion of peaceful protesters in Liberty sq by special police force? restriction of media ? civil liberties ? battered civilians ?

As if what happened on March 1st and still continuing to happen is a very casual thing.

Ready to work with the 'newly elected government' ? which one ? the one with stolen votes and spread out terror among civilians ?

AMOT - HAZAR AMOT

For all the institutions who signed this statement. One thing is sure YOU do not represent ME and many other diasporans.

BOYCOTT Armenian Assembly, BOYCOTT ANCA, BOYCOTT AGBU and all the rest until they express in a more committed and responsible way their condemnation of all the injustices in the past events by a government against its people!

Here is the shameful statement (for those who did not receive it yet):

Joint Statement of the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian National Committee of America, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern/Western) and the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Eastern/ Western) on Recent Events in Armenia
As leading Armenian-American organizations, we stand in solidarity with the state and the people of Armenia as the nation confronts the current political crisis.We are deeply saddened by the violence, divisiveness, and deaths during the post-electoral street unrest in the capital and extend our heartfelt sympathies to all the families of the victims. We condemn all violent acts, including assaults, vandalism, and looting, and expect, consistent with due process of law, that the organizers and perpetrators will be brought to justice.We urge all parties to work peacefully within Armenia's civic and legal structures to address their outstanding differences and restore Armenia's political environment to a state of normalcy in as timely and responsible a manner as possible. We join with all Armenians in reaffirming our people's common commitment to the security of Armenia and Artsakh in a challenging and often dangerous region, and to cooperate toward our shared aim of strengthening an open and democratic Armenian homeland, based upon the rule of law, social and economic justice, freedom of expression and the media, and equal opportunity for all.As Armenian-Americans, proud and vital partners in the future of the Armenian nation, we are ready to cooperate with the newly-elected president and the government. We remain committed to doing our part to serve our homeland and the Armenian Nation as we have done throughout our long history. Armenia will continue to inspire and sustain generations of Armenians who have lived, as we do today, beyond her borders.

welcome back

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:53:00 +0000

Many of my repat friends were gone for a good period of time. others were simply traveling for work or pleasure... I am relieved that they have either returned or are on their way back.

... Armenia just isn't the same without them!

Spring Fever

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:02:00 +0000

Although Armenia accepts March 1st as the first day of Spring, in the west, we were always taught that it was March 21.

This year, Spring (usually symbolized renewal or rebirth) will come in more ways than one this year. It will be the first day after the end of the "State of Emergency". People will embark on the search for truth and justice. Others will go shopping for a new wardrobe. I, on the other hand, will have Good Friday dinner with my kids... and pray for peace.

Will we lose Karabagh?

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:33:00 +0000

I am not sure if this message will eventualy get me in trouble as teh phrasing of teh new amendments to the media and information is somewhat unclear. Nonetheless, I think this is very important for us to know.

you can read this news on several sites, reuters, google, yahoo.

On March 14, UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and demanding Armenian forces to withdraw:

The reolution adopted by UN General Assembly says:
1. General Assembly respected for sovereignty of Azerbaijan and recognized its territorial integrity within borders adopted by international laws.
2. General Assembly demands withdrawal of Armenian military forces from occupied lands urgently, completely and undoubtedly.
3. General Assembly recognizes the right on returning the population to their lands and paying compensation to them.
4. General Assembly supports to ensure security of Azerbaijani and Armenian Communities of Nagorno Karabakh and provide condition for their activity.
5. General assembly supports the activity of OSCE MG co-chairs within international legal norms and wished them to increase efforts to gain the peace.
6. General Assembly asked for UN General Secretary to make a report about execution of resolution on situation in Azerbaijani occupied lands in 63rd session.

Pakistani representative spoke on the behalf of Organization of Islamic Conference. He stated that they supported Azerbaijan’s position and noted that there were one million people exiled from their lands as a result of aggressive policy pursued by Armenia and stressed that Azerbaijani religious, historical heritage was ruined in Nagorno Karabakh. He noted that OIC condemned aggressive policy of Armenia every time and called members of organization to vote for resolution . Uganda representative stated that Azerbaijanis are the victim of the war and noted that they support them. Turkish and Ukrainian representatives stated the same position.
Armenian ambassador to UN Armen Martirosyan noted that official Baku caused damage to negotiations raising the resolution in UN. He protested position of Ukrainian, Turkish and OIC representatives. Irrespective of this, 39 states voted for the document, 7 sates voted against it. 100 states took neutral position. The states against resolution were Russia, US, France, India, Angola and Vanuatu.

Excellent customer care

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:16:00 +0000

In response to a previous log, I wanted to share a different reality regarding customer service in Armenia.

Lara and I returned to an old location from where we used to do most of our furniture shopping. Julianna is a relatively decent Furniture shop located on the strip along the highway leading to the Airport paralleling the numerous casinos (most of you who have traveled know the strip I am talking about). They offer a range of imported as well as locally made office and home furniture. They also do custom designed items... overall a one stop shop for furniture.

Gagik and Karen are two of the most knowledgeable, kind and service oriented sales agents I have ever seen. Without overdoing it, they were friendly enough, accessible but not stuck to you throughout your shopping, and get this... smiling ALL the time!

so, we ended up buying the necessary and left the store feeling happy and satisfied.

Interesting times

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:57:00 +0000

The March 1 incidents will go down as a turning point in Modern Armenian History. The clashes between peaceful demonstrators and police/military/special units and later "hooligans" which led to the call for an all out siege of the country by its government with a State of Emergency, will be remembered as First Day of a New Armenia.

Now what this New Armenia has in store for us is the real question. Armenians in the Republic and its Diaspora are more and more divided. To be honest, we have never been a united people (I am referring to ancient historic times up to recent politics).

See the following links as an example of what I mean:
http://unzipped.blogspot.com/2008/03/armenians-for-peaceful-civil.html
http://www.Armenia2008.com/

I am able to write this message since the President of the Republic of Armenia lifted the ban on information sharing. However, I want to remind the readers that journalists in Armenia are hesitant to go all out for fear of repercutions in future "state of emergency" cases. So read EVERYTHING (pro or con) with that notion in mind.

the worst censorship is the media censorship!

Learning a few things from Beirutsi's

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:41:00 +0000

The Lebanese are known to party and celebrate amidst an all out civil war.

Recently, a new pub opened its doors to young Armenians. Beatles"The Black Bird" as it is called, is located on Pushkin. Although I missed the event, it seems close to 200 people attended with all the "elita" present.

The performers of the night were none other than the young Bambir. And yes, the played Beattles music all night long.

So, to all those wondering how we are coping, I hope this tells you something about current life in Armenia.

Manoukians of the world

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:30:00 +0000

Alain Manoukian - famous French Designer :
Vatche Manoukian - Wealthy British Entrepreneur and Philanthropist (also HSBC in Armenia)
Andre Manoukian - French music composer-producer, also a jury member for the French version of Pop Idol, "Nouvelle Star"
Catherine Manoukian - Young violinist from Canada
Martiros Manoukian - Artist/Painter from Armenia
Andranik Manoukian - Minister of Transport and Communications of RA
Nicholas Manoukian - American Cpl. died in Iraq in 2007

but best of all is :
Guy Manoukian - Lebanese musician. Most recent work is with Wyclef Jean and Lucina - videoclip : www.guymanoukian.com

Qele Qele

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:01:00 +0000

Very soon, during the Eurovision competition, most of you will hear Sirusho sing one of the better songs I have heard coming out of Armenia. The song in called Kel kele... or Qule quele (in Hayastan). It is a dance song with rhythmic and Armenian folk nuances. Lyrics are in English.

This song was written and arranged by none other but, Harout DerHovakimian (Repat from Toronto). I know that he has worked hard to get the song all the way here and it must have taken a lot of convincing since he is not necessarily "in" the H1 crowd. What I mean is that there are several individuals who have a strong hold on what and who should appear on H1 (Hratch Keshishyan, Hayko, etc).

Once again, BRAVO to DerHova for providing such great work!

This will be the third year that Armenia is participating in Eurovision. in 2006 Andre was the representative of Armenia and Hayko wasteh rep for 2007. I think Sirusho is by far the best candidate for this show.

International Women's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:08:00 +0000

When I woke up this morning, I wanted to write about this topic... that damned saleswoman distracted me (see Happy Shopping).

So March 8 in Armenia has turned into a celebration similar to Valentine's Day where women expect gifts, chocolate and flowers from their male entourage (father, brother, uncle, boyfriend, husband, lover, employer, colleague, etc).

In reality, March 8 is a socialist holiday dedicated to honor the women's rights movement, which in itself assists in achieving universal suffrage for women. You can find very interesting historic details in the following links (especially in Wikipedia refering to Armenian traditions)

www.internationalwomensday.com/about.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women's_Day

Following this important day is Mother's Day, which is on April 7 in Armenia. So, tradition has called for celebrating womanhood and all that is feminine for an entire month (March 8 to April 7). Only in recent years, with the development of consumer society, these holidays have become extremely commercial offering discounts and promotions anywhere one can think of.

Bari Marti ut.

Happy Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:03:00 +0000

I am sure you could appreciate the fact that there is little that I can write about at the moment. I have many replies for all those who left me comments as well as new thoughts which I wish to share. I will wait for March 21.

In the meantime, I want to share a story. Just today, I experiences how the more things change, the more they stay the same.

At 11:40 this morning, I accompanied Lara to do some furniture shopping for her center. The first place we went was the store on Vardanats street where we usually get our stuff. It's close and has somewhat of a variety. We have spent more over 2000$ in this store in less than a year. Today, as Lara was looking around, I told the salesgirl that the 120$ office chair we bought about 3 months ago broke from the bottom part (where it should not have broken). She replied : "ed inch tsevi ek nsdel vor?" (what kind of way where you sitting). I smirked as I am used to this kind of arrogant answers by now. I told her with the usual sarcasm : "jishtn asadz vren eyi tsakrdum" (tell you the truth I was jumping on it). Then I walked further down to look for more chairs. I found one and asked if this was a better quality one. She told me well you are a fat guy so I don't know... she is litteraly trying to sell her products, she is not being obnoxious (or so she thinks). To that I answered, well perhaps you should write the maximum weight each of these chairs carry (always with the smirk). To my surprise, she started raising her voice telling me that I am not one to tell her what to do. I started getting annoyed and told her that I am the customer and that as a customer service tactic she shouldn't raise her voice like that if she wanted to make a sale (especially since we were actually there to buy and not just browse).

So far, this conversation may be typical to those who have visited Armenia, or have lived here for some time. Her following answer is what pissed me off most. I lost it and started yelling at her and at her male staff who had now gathered around her and were telling me that I should not talk to a woman like that. I don't care if today is International Women's Day (in Armenia, this holiday has become a celebration of beauty, not at all a celebration of empowerment and fight for equality) NO ONE should talk to me that way and utter such vile sentiments.

She said: "TSER YERGROUM E AYTBESS, AYSDEGH, YES VONTS UZUM EM AYTBESS EL GKHOSSAM"
(that's how it might be in your country, but here, I speak the way I want)

NOTE: I think I have earned the right to have replied to her that I live here and this IS my country.

So you see, the more "developed and civilized" we get, the more arrogant and resentful some (I stress on some) people get!

Turning point

noreply@blogger.com (Raffi N) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:42:00 +0000

Could this be a new turning point for civil society in Armenia? I have been hearing through many friends and peers that the demonstrations at the Liberty Square were dispersed and that people were beaten by police and that LTP has been under house arrest for over several hours ... but what is interesting is that people have finally come together and in big numbers to voice their collective concerns about the regime and the leadership of their country. I have not been to these sites and I have not seen any rioting on the streets myself, and the worst part is that I have not seen any news coverage of the events on the media.

The events started at 6:30 a.m. this morning, by 3:00 p.m., we saw the first police press conference aleging that they only attacked after the demonstrators started throwing rocks and yelling out words to overturn the government... They showed footage of guns and sharp objects collected from the surrounding areas of the Opera claiming that they were tipped on he arrival of truckloads of arms and other metal harp objects. To my disappointment, none of the TV stations attempted to cover any of the action that was taking place on he streets (near the French embassy and now at the Shahumyan square). H2 was off the air until early afternoon. H1 was broadcasting cheaply dubbed films, Shant, Shoghakat, Gentron, ALM, Yerevan, Hayrenik TV and Armenia TV (owned by Cafesdjian) were all carrying on with their cheasy video clips, reruns of poor imitations of American game shows, and more dubbed foreign films. Only Yerkir Media had the courrage to air footage and voice out their outrage of what was taking place in our country.

I am not sure what all this will lead to, but I know that Armenia will not have the same apathetic society it had for the past several years.

I am hopeful that the people will prevail and will build its country to have a more fair and just political and judicial system... or at least it will die trying!

Elections

noreply@blogger.com (shooosh) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:05:00 +0000

OK, here by popular demand is a blog about the elections. Honestly, I don't really know what to write about. Before the elections, I felt like MAYBE, just maybe , this time it will be fair. Everything said on the news sounds like the elections were nearly flawless. But, the streets (or should I say Opera) and various witnesses tell us that nothing is ok. Just check out the www.a1plus.am to get opposition news. The H1 channel showed Levon's sit-in protest at Opera today, focusing on how people are not really there to make a political point, but rather to smoke marijuana and engage in violent behavior. The sit-in has been in place since the 20th, and Levon has said he will be president soon. Kocharian fired varioius political figures (no reasons stated).

Who do we believe? Who is telling the truth? Who REALLLYYYY wants the best for Hayasdan? It is impossible to tell. The news is tainted, and gossip around town .... well, you all know how a grain of sand becomes a boulder in any Armenian community.

So really, I wasn't blogging because there is nothing to say. I drive past Opera to work, and then from work back home. The stores are open, Vernisage was bustling, there was a wedding at St. Sarkis today, and the marshots still drive like mad-men. This power struggle over being president will eventually end, probably for another 10 years. I'm not sure how I feel about all of it, because if I had a sliver of belief that somehow the elections were or would be fair... now I am convinced no one would give up the "president's chair". These guys have more money in their bank accounts than the entire country's yearly budget (someone told me-- don't know how true).

That's all for now... Oh ya, Spring is on its way.... HOORA!!! :)

Volunteers!

noreply@blogger.com (shooosh) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:25:00 +0000

As you know, I've started working at Orran as the Academic Coordnator, and so starting February I need volunteers to head activities for the following:

-Computer (excel, word, powerpoint, photoshop)
-Sewing/Knitting
-Drawing / Painting
-Film History
-Beading
-Martial Arts
-French
-Collage

Each activity will be once or twice a week, for about an hour each.

If you think you can help (but you have to know Armenian), then email me-- shooshigavakian@hotmail.com

:)

Anger

noreply@blogger.com (Lara A.) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:46:00 +0000

Imagine you’re a woman, married, with children, living with your in-laws in a small apartment.

Imagine that whenever you decide to go somewhere or to visit someone, for example your own mother, you have to ask permission first from your husband, then your mother-in-law then the rest and most of the time the answer would be no, because …there is always a reason or no reason it doesn’t matter at the end.

Imagine always having a big fear to voice your opinion even on simple things, fearing the worst…

Imagine that one day you had enough of all this and you decide to get help to leave or to change your situation…

And then imagine that there is nowhere you can go, that the whole thing is a big conspiracy against women and that the police will most of the time mock you for exposing your family life and problems to everyone…or the only Women’s Shelter for battered women will tell you that they are “sorry but the shelter is closed for lack of funding and empathy” or the help-hotline not answering your call for technical problems (the lines have been cut because of change of address for unlimited time).

Imagine all the looks, all the judgments and prejudice against you; in you own family, in your work place, at the market, from the neighbors…

Imagine a husband threatening you to take your kids away, and you are almost sure he will since it is possible to find a way to bribe the judge…since you don’t have more money to give a bigger bribe.

Imagine you are the director of a Women’s Center in Armenia and you meet women in these situations more and more and you feel completely helpless and most of all angry because you feel that what you are doing is not enough.

That is how I am feeling these days. I need to do something about it; we all need to do something about it…

Happy New Year!