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
