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  • Bedkee Yertam Hima Armenia

    BEDKEE YERTAM HIMA ARMENIA

    Iain Dale's Diary
    September 8, 2009 Tuesday 4:46 PM EST

    Sep. 8, 2009 Today has been a whirlwind. Three very different TV
    interviews in Yerevan, a visit to the Genocide museum & memorial,
    a trip outside the capital to see a 1st century AD pagan temple and a
    monastry, a meeting with a dozen Armenian political bloggers, drinks
    with an organisation called Britain Connect and finally dinner with
    alumni of the John Smith Memorial Trust Fellowship programme.

    Everyone here keeps asking if I am going to blog about today. To
    be honest I am so knackered I'd rather go to bed, but I guess I had
    better do my duty. The other thing people are very keen to find out
    is what I think of Armenia. I have to be honest and say it is one of
    the friendliest countries I have ever been to, even if the drivers
    are absolute lunatics! It's also a country with a tremendous sense
    of national identity and pride. There's a real can-do attitude and
    a desire to learn how to do things better, which is why the JSMT
    programme is so well received here. I really think I will try to come
    back here for a proper visit - two days is just ridiculous.

    The TV interviews were mainly about the JSMT and internet
    politics. However, I was asked one curveball questions by an
    interviewer who is also writing next year's Armenian Eurovision entry
    (he hasn't got a hard act to follow). He asked where I thought
    Armenia would have moved to in 5-10 years. I was tempted to say
    that I suspected it would still be bordering Turkey, and Iran,
    but thought better of it. Instead I managed to compose a vaguely
    sensible answer about building better relations with Turkey and
    other neighbours. People recognise the value of restoring relations
    with Turkey, but Azerbaijan is a different kettle of fish. Travel
    between the two countries is almost impossible and there is a latent
    antipathy. For a landlocked country like Armenia, it is not good news
    to be at loggerheads with two such powerful neighbours. I understand
    the reasons, and they are perfectly valid, but bridges clearly need
    to be built.

    One great thing about Armenia is that they cannot abide John
    Prescott. Apparently he came here as an election observer and
    achieved the unique distinction of annoying both the government and
    the opposition.

    The genocide museum is located on top of one of the hills which
    surround Yerevan. It's location is superb. While it hasn't got
    the same emotional tugs as other genocide and holocaust memorials
    I have been to in Israel and Rwanda, its understatement is to its
    credit. It's not a large place and doesn't take very long to go round,
    but it does what it intends to. You emerge wondering how on earth
    it was allowed to happen. And you wonder at your own ignorance of
    the details. More than 1.1 million Armenians died. And finally you
    think to yourself, if only the world had acted to stop it, might
    the ensuing Nazi holocaust have been prevented. When asked about his
    plans for the "Final Solution " Hitler is reputed to have retorted
    "And who remembers the Armenians?" Well, I remembered them today.

    The trip to Garni, about 40 minutes outside Yerevan was the highlight
    of the whole visit. There hadn't been time for sightseeing,
    but last night the British Ambassador urged our British Council
    visit planner Mariam (who, incidentally, is brilliant at her job)
    to find a gap in the schedule to take me to Garni. She did so and
    we headed off there mid morning in a BMW 4 wheel drive jeep driven
    by an absolute lunatic. Armenian roads and Armenian drivers are
    second only to Rwandans in thei unique brand of danger which they
    jointly present. Three times I thought we were a dead cert for a
    head on collision. No matter, we got there. And back. The monastry
    at Geghard was worth the whole trip. Unspoilt by tourists (so far)
    it dates back to the first century AD. The pagan temple at Garni was
    similarly impressive and also fates back to the same era.

    We drove back for a meeting in the afternoon with a dozen Armenian
    political bloggers. They were a lively lot and it was interesting to
    see that we all experience similar issues. The Armenian blogosphere is
    in its infancy, and it is clear that there are issues of government
    censorship in Armenia, although the bloggers were at pains to say
    that it was more directed at the MSM. So far. Notes from Hairenik
    has blogged the event HERE. I promised them all a link, so here goes...

    Notes from Hairenik Onnik Krikorian Arthur Papyan Samvel
    Martirosyan (Kornelij) Tigran Kocharian (Pigh) Gegham Vardanian
    (Reporter_Arm)Artak Kirakosian Human Rights Armenia blog Karen
    Vrtanesian (Ahousekeeper)Shushan Harutyunian (Blansh) David
    Sandukhchian (david_sand) Mikayel Kazarian David Tevyants Vahan
    Ishkhanyan Artak Aleksanyan

    And there are more HERE.

    If I have missed anyone out, please leave a comment below!

    I head back to England tomorrow morning feeling that the trip has been
    worthwile, both from the point of view of its purpose of promoting the
    John Smith Memorial Trust but also because I learned a lot about a new
    country. One of the TV interviewers asked me my views of Armenia and
    if I liked it. At the end of my reply I said: "And in the words of
    Arnold Schwarzenegger, 'I will be back'". I meant it. Unfortunately
    the translator had never heard of Arnie and didn't both translating it!

    And finally, a few words of thanks.

    Firstly to Mariam (pic left) and her colleagues from the British
    Council who did so much to make this trip work. This was my first
    experience of the BC and I have to say I was impressed. I only hope
    the staff of the organisation in other countries are as efficient
    and helpful. And secondly thanks to the John Smith Memorial Trust
    for inviting me to go on the visit. I hope my "selling" skills
    were adequate! Aisling Conboy (pic 2nd left) has been a delightful
    travelling companion and has made a very good impression here on all
    the potential participants in their programme next year.

    PS Most unexpected sentence heard today from an Armenian: "Give my
    regards to Andrew Rosindell"!

    PPS I hope the headline is OK and I don't create a diplomatic
    incident. I got it from a website translation. It is supposed to mean
    goodbye. Someone please reassure me it does!

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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