How Can We Help Armenia?

[Crissy]

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

Who decides who is to be elected? The People? Doubt it. The country was corrupt even during the soviet times. As for the Mafia, with or without them it'll take a long time for the country to rebuild itself. It'll take a long time for people to change their ways to improve. Someone suggested that Armenian needs to learn to do business like they do in America, they can't do it because the police (kaxakayin, not sure how to say it in English) the mafia they all will want to take "their share" from the business.

Everyone wants to help, but no one seems to know how, Even if the countries debts were paid off, we need the corruption to stop so that the country can improve.

As for individuals that would like to help? I suggest a volunteer program. One of my friends, who speaks no word of Armenian, moved to Armenia and is working voluntarily at the mental hospital and lectures at one of the universities. Every little bit helps

[Dite]

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

Clean Armenian needs (somewhat depends on) fair international monetary practices, also.

People in the US can DEMAND that foreign debt from Armenia (and MANY other countries) be forgiven.

The US has spent OVER a TRILLION on the Iraq 'war'

That is Trillion, not billion.

Four billion would provide ALL people on the EARTH with basic food, medical and housing needs according to the UN (as I know.)

Yet, Armenia is going into major national debt over the relatively minute 'loan.'

Lots of details left out, but that sounds a bit like indentured servitude, to me. Many nations of the world are in the same situation. Thank goodness things are starting to change! I hope that continues.


"Armenia's aggregate foreign debt grew by 13 percent in 1999 and now stands at $876 [1999]
million, slightly less than half of GDP, RFE/RL's Yerevan
bureau reported on 1 February, citing official statistical
data. The authorities estimate that the figure will rise to
$938 million by the end of this year. The Armenian government
and Central Bank will spend a total of $78 million on
external debt servicing in 2000. That figure is roughly one
fifth of projected government revenues. Last year, a total of
$61.6 million was spent on external debt service....i"

[MrLeftyHye]

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

If we have some Armenians with courage lets start helping & making Armenia cleaner.

[armoblog]

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

I think Armenia needs to be educated about a few things: Western-style business, the ill-effects of tobacco, safe sex (AIDS rates are up), and so on. We can't change the government, not even with an election, but what we can do is empower people to make do well, even if the local government often prevents anyone from doing so.

However, the most important thing: end monopolies at the state and local level. Let market forces dictate success of failure of business. This is out of our control, however. Short of a revolution, that is.

[MrLeftyHye]

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

good points. corruption and all that aside, we need to keep in mind Armenia is still landlocked with unfriendly neighbors, limited natural resources, etc. not trying to make excuses, i think even if corruption was not an issue there would still be problems in development.

Ya gmd you can only do so much to improve a 3rd world country.

[gmd]

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

My dad and sister went to Armenia last summer and they loved it. They said it's so much better now then it was when I went in 1999. I saw all that too when I went, but you really can't compare Armenia to the USA, because the latter has had so much more opportunity to improve itself, whereas the former has gone through a lot of crap during the last decade.

good points. corruption and all that aside, we need to keep in mind Armenia is still landlocked with unfriendly neighbors, limited natural resources, etc. not trying to make excuses, i think even if corruption was not an issue there would still be problems in development.

[armo_origin]

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

My dad and sister went to Armenia last summer and they loved it. They said it's so much better now then it was when I went in 1999. I saw all that too when I went, but you really can't compare Armenia to the USA, because the latter has had so much more opportunity to improve itself, whereas the former has gone through a lot of crap during the last decade.

[gmd]

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

What was the recent stat .. something like 70% of the men smoke in Armenia? It's one of the worst in the world (something like 6th if I remember correctly in terms of total smokers).

Do they count me in that stat too, even though I am in California?

[Sip]

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

What was the recent stat .. something like 70% of the men smoke in Armenia? It's one of the worst in the world (something like 6th if I remember correctly in terms of total smokers).

[MrLeftyHye]

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

I guess so but maybe because its a smaller place you see the majority of people doing the same thing. Yes thats everywhere but I dont know how to explain it, Armenias just diffrent.