Opinion Poll: Who Is The True Friend of Armenia?

[Sip]

Re: Opinion Poll: Who Is The True Friend of Armenia?

... Ես ճեզնից շատ բաներ եմ սովորել եվ կշարունակեմ սովորել:

Oooo a brand new member that already knows an old member really well and now they can serve as support structures for each other's claims. Love it when that happens.

I am sure the NSA's computers are going bezerk trying to keep track of this latest development in "Armenian Nationalism"

[Lucin]

Re: Opinion Poll: Who Is The True Friend of Armenia?

No ... I was "upset" because they reduced OUR Armenian lessons from several hours every day to less than 1-2 hours per week in OUR Armenian schools... and even that, came after a very long and hard fought battle thanks to our very strong and tight knit Armenian community in Iran that really stuck together and FOUGHT for our rights. I am "upset" because they forced us to learn the Qur'an and Arabic instead of Armenian in OUR Armenian schools in Iran. I am "upset" because a potentially wonderful country with a lot of promise for growth and advancement took a step back, several centuries, where civil "liberties" are now dictated by a fundamentally religious set of wackos rather than something more fitting of the freaking 20th century or even the 19th century for that matter. You think Armenians are free in Iran? That is laughable. I would just dare any woman to walk down the street without that rediculous head scarf ... mini skirt? LMAO yah just try that too (as a man).

If it weren't for the generocity and the intelligence of the Iranian people, those idiots in charge would have wiped out all non-islamic minorities at the first chance they got. But the Iranian PEOPLE are the ones who wouldn't allow it.

I hear you but the Islamists that 'some' hate so much want to see a 'strong' Armenia in the region, for their sake, it's just in their interests, as simple as that. As the famous saying goes "mer achkeri ashugh@ chen".
Our good relations have got nothing to do with religion and everything to do with common interests.

Regarding Iran's internal issues and the revolution, I have always wondered why an ISLAMIC revolution in Iran, in a country where her people are not hardcore Muslims (generally speaking). I really can't figure out, but I think it was just a response to the atrocities the West was pushing upon Iran and the Iranian people, via the Shah.

Ps: By the way, we didn't learn Koran at school, did you really, at your time?

[Sip]

Re: Opinion Poll: Who Is The True Friend of Armenia?

Regarding Iran's internal issues and the revolution, I have always wondered why an ISLAMIC revolution in Iran, in a country where her people are not hardcore Muslims (generally speaking). I really can't figure out, but I think it was just a response to the atrocities the West was pushing upon Iran and the Iranian people, via the Shah.

Ps: By the way, we didn't learn Koran at school, did you really, at your time?

I have also often wondered the same. It just seems that the country was headed either towards communism or what happened. And I am not sure which one would have been better. I still have a lot of hope for Iran though, and exactly for what you said ... the people are almost all very good and not really represented by the "Mullahs" that took charge.

As far as Koran .. they tried really hard. This was in the mid 80s when they tried to shut down the schools completely and totally remove Armenian in all its forms. I was in "Vache Hesepian" back then ... I was a little kid but I definitely remember when we had to demonstrate outside the school (the details are somewhat vague) and all the fighting that went on with the parents and whoever was in charge. One of the "compromises" was that instead of an official Quran class (we just would NOT have that), there would be couple hours of "Arabic" per week and then there would also be this "military training" class (I forget what it was called). Actually the military training class wasn't that bad (except for the brainwashing of how wonderful it would be to go and die in the war ) ...

But yah looking back at it, I remember we had at least 2 hours of Armenian a day which was cut down to like 1 hour per week. I am just glad that at least in the couple of years before I learned to read/write Armenian at school otherwise I doubt I would know it today. Certainly after the 1 hour per week thing, it wasn't going to happen ... how is it now? Do they still limit how much Armenian instruction there can be in the Armenian schools that much?

By the way, I recently found a few pics of Ararat Marzavan on the web .. man I had so much fun at that place!!!!! That is one of the places I really really really miss from my childhood days.

[Lucin]

Re: Opinion Poll: Who Is The True Friend of Armenia?

As far as Koran .. they tried really hard. This was in the mid 80s when they tried to shut down the schools completely and totally remove Armenian in all its forms. I was in "Vache Hesepian" back then ... I was a little kid but I definitely remember when we had to demonstrate outside the school (the details are somewhat vague) and all the fighting that went on with the parents and whoever was in charge. One of the "compromises" was that instead of an official Quran class (we just would NOT have that), there would be couple hours of "Arabic" per week

I have not seen a 'thing' for some obvious reasons, but later I have been told about the details. Note that during the Shah the Moron, all Armenian schools were shut down for FIVE YEARS! So relatively speaking, in my opinion, Armenians have enjoyed more freedom during the current regime rather that the Pahlavi regime, when it comes to Armenian issues.

As for Arabic, after all, we have to learn Arabic, since for the university entrance exam there are a few questions in Arabic, furthermore learning Arabic wasn't a big deal for me.

and then there would also be this "military training" class (I forget what it was called). Actually the military training class wasn't that bad (except for the brainwashing of how wonderful it would be to go and die in the war ) ...

I think the military training class you are referring to is 'amadegi defai', but it is obligatory now.

But yah looking back at it, I remember we had at least 2 hours of Armenian a day which was cut down to like 1 hour per week. I am just glad that at least in the couple of years before I learned to read/write Armenian at school otherwise I doubt I would know it today. Certainly after the 1 hour per week thing, it wasn't going to happen ... how is it now? Do they still limit how much Armenian instruction there can be in the Armenian schools that much?

It depends on which level you are, 'tarrakan', 'ughetsuyts' or 'mijnakark' but overall, I had two times a week Armenian, 2hours for reading/grammar/literature and 2hours for kron( Christianity). It's not enough at all and not even comparable to when you had 2hours a day.

No, it's way too better now, the Persian principals have been (or are being) gradually replaced by Armenians, if not, an Armenian is assigned as a supervisor.
By the way, Vache Hovsepian has been lately transformed into a kind of cultural centre, hayagidakan centre and also a small hotel. (I was at the school next to Vache, Kushesh Davtian and later Arax.)

By the way, I recently found a few pics of Ararat Marzavan on the web .. man I had so much fun at that place!!!!! That is one of the places I really really really miss from my childhood days.

Yeah, good memories… Ararat has been renewed and kind of modernised; so you may not recognize it, this time you come here.

[Sip]

Re: Opinion Poll: Who Is The True Friend of Armenia?

Thanks for the info Lucin!

For the record, I am not a "Pahlavi" regime fan by any means. So when I complain about the current regime it's not because I want the Iran to have stayed the Iran of the "Shah" regime (it was before my time anyway).

It's kind of like the US ... just because one doesn't particulary like Bush, it doesn't mean one was a big fan of Clinton either As long as Iran doesn't do anything stupid (like fire a missile towards Israel), and if the regime uses a bit more tact and diplomacy to approach the rest of the world, I really think it can be the most promising country in the mid east.

My dad used to teach at Sharif for many many years and even to this day I see a lot of really amazing engineering students come out of there and come to US to do their graduate studies.

[skhara]

Re: Opinion Poll: Who Is The True Friend of Armenia?

and if the regime uses a bit more tact and diplomacy to approach the rest of the world, I really think it can be the most promising country in the mid east.

Actually all evidence points to the fact that they do precisely that. When they have to deal with naked aggression and threats against their national interests they have to take measures to defend themselves.

[Sip]

Re: Opinion Poll: Who Is The True Friend of Armenia?

How about when Ahmadinejad stands up and barks "the Holocaust is a lie" ... is that very "diplomatic" in your opinion? or is that measures of defending Iran?

[skhara]

Re: Opinion Poll: Who Is The True Friend of Armenia?

How about when Ahmadinejad stands up and barks "the Holocaust is a lie" ... is that very "diplomatic" in your opinion? or is that measures of defending Iran?

Or how about "We will wipe Israel off the face of the planet with a nuclear HOLOCAUST unlike their fake holocaust before.

Anyway, their opinion is that "Holocaust" as described by the west is a myth. Besides the fact, what does that have to do with anything when it comes to diplomacy? The government hasn't taken any official position.

Israel officially denies the Armenian Genocide, has that got any bearing on their diplomacy?

Iranians express an opinion with regards to "Holocaust" -- anyone can diplomisise all they want with them.

Either way, I believe that Iranians position with regards to "Holocaust" is the most balanced and realistic one that I have seen. Not neo-nazi "skinhead" type and not the western holocaustianity.

So what are you saying, Iran must first submit to holocaustianity and submit to ridiculous lies that don't even make practical sense spread about them.

[Sip]

Re: Opinion Poll: Who Is The True Friend of Armenia?

Israel officially denies the Armenian Genocide, has that got any bearing on their diplomacy?

I don't understand what this has any bearing on what Iran's leadership is doing. I am telling you Iran is being stupid and you are trying to justify it by saying Israel is being stupid ... how does "two stupids" make a right?

So what are you saying, Iran must first submit to holocaustianity and submit to ridiculous lies that don't even make practical sense spread about them.

I don't know what "holocaustianity" means but I think at the very least they should try to distance themselves from extremist "towl head" mentality of "we will kill you if you don't see things our way". That is not what Iran has ever been about and I think it is a wrong path for them. I know a typical response to this is "oh well that's what Bush and the US are doing" but let's now now try to justify Iran being stupid with US being stupid

[skhara]

Re: Opinion Poll: Who Is The True Friend of Armenia?

I don't understand what this has any bearing on what Iran's leadership is doing. I am telling you Iran is being stupid and you are trying to justify it by saying Israel is being stupid ... how does "two stupids" make a right?

My point is they are not being "stupid" and neither is Israel (at least not with the issue Armenian Genocide). And my point is that this has no bearing on anything. The more they put themselves in stronger positions, the more "diplomatic" their enemies become. In fact, Washington declared they want to meet with Iran again recently.

I don't know what "holocaustianity" means but I think at the very least they should try to distance themselves from extremist "towl head" mentality of "we will kill you if you don't see things our way". That is not what Iran has ever been about and I think it is a wrong path for them. I know a typical response to this is "oh well that's what Bush and the US are doing" but let's now now try to justify Iran being stupid with US being stupid

Actually I don't see a whole lot of that from them, no we will kill you blah blah blah. On the other hand, they do use the rhetoric of "Great Satan" and of course, there has to be such type of rhetoric for the sheeple, it would be naive to think that their spokesmen figureheads drive any kind of strategic policy.