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Dar Al-Hayat, Beirut/London
May 4 2005
Translated from Arabic exclusively for Armenian News Network/Groong
by Katia M. Peltekian
The Armenian Diaspora looks upon Yerevan prepared to move from the
dream homeland to the harsh reality
by Kamal Hanna
Yerevan - Mount Ararat stands high but far from the Armenian capital
Yerevan, from where one can see the snowy peaks, but not the lower
parts of the slopes of the towering mountain. At a 5800-meter
altitude, the mountain becomes an image that only eyes would enjoy...
At the Ani Hotel lobby, Kevin Ohanian, born in the Sudan and a citizen
of Great Britain for 25 years, says he is excited about participating
in the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. He is in Yerevan with his wife, child and
relatives. However, he is also disappointed that his homeland lacks
all the basic necessities of life. Ohanian, who owns a Mexican
restaurant in London, says that the basic necessities should include
strict implementation of rules and regulations that would also
guarantee the rights of the individual. `This is what I cannot see
here; although cooperation and harmony are present, they do not
compensate for the negative effects of the disorder.'
Ohanian adds that he would face many obstacles if he were to start the
same kind of business he has in London - opening a Mexican
restaurant. `That is why I have discarded the idea completely,
although my business in London does fluctuate and sometimes I lose a
lot of money.'
Armenia has endured a lot of losses as the diaspora quickly lost its
enthusiasm which had prevailed when the country gained its
independence after the fall of the communist rule in 1990.
After independence, Armenia has also lost a great number of its
population, which was about 3.8 million; many Armenians thought that
they could have a better and more secure life abroad.
Despite the abundance of European-style caf s, restaurants and
nightclubs in the streets of Yerevan, the majority of its people -
mostly the teenagers and the elderly - live below the poverty level.
Poverty turns into a reality in the suburbs of Yerevan and in the
remote villages which look almost deserted. There is constant danger
to the lives of the people of these regions - landslides occur due to
heavy snow or there is a complete damage of roads when the red and
black rocky hills collapse.
It is worthy to note that $1000 to $5000 is enough to buy a house in
these areas which are also susceptible to earthquakes. The earthquake
in December of 1988 resulted in the death of more than 25,000 people
and thousands were left homeless because the communist rulers were
unable to provide the necessary equipment for relief.
Along the road, one can see houses that look like they would collapse
at any moment. In front of these house, the residents sell different
kinds of pickled vegetables, preservatives, dried fruits, and bread
that the elderly claim is good for the health. They also sell flowers,
apples and apricots, the fruits the drawings of which adorned the
royal clothes.
This kind of lifestyle disappears completely in the capital Yerevan;
one would observe beautiful girls wearing trendy clothes and
cosmetics, taking care of their looks despite their financial
circumstances.
Diran Adjoyan, who was born in Latakia (Syria) but is an American
citizen, says that Armenian girls have always been known for their
elegance, even when they lacked water and electricity due to the
blockade that Azerbaijan has imposed between 1992 and 1994. For
Adjoyan, who works in computer programming, it means that the
Armenians have a strong will to face hardships and always look for a
better life and for self-determination.
Adjoyan is amazed at the changes that have occurred in Armenia since
his last visit in 1999. He says, `I remember staying at a dark hotel
which was lighted by a few lamps in the hallways. Most of the streets
were dark and there was no security. It is totally different now.
During my first visit in 1994, I had to use coal to heat my meals, and
many had to cut the trees in the parks to keep themselves warm.'
He describes the current progress as `fantastic' compared to the
financial abilities of the country. He expects that this progress will
continue at a faster rate, `maybe similar to that of Lebanon after the
war.' He asserts that with the current situation, and after much
thought, he is considering buying a house in Armenia although he says
he does not have many acquaintances here.
Adjoyan says this progress is due to the importance of tourism at
different sites. With a passion, he mentions Lake Sevan, which is 1900
meters above sea level. He says he enjoys the heat of the sun in
summer and sinks in its silence far from the sounds of the waves.
Adjoyan speaks with exhilaration about the natural beauty of Nagorno
Karabakh, which was the cause of conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan from 1989 to 1994, and until Russia mediated to establish a
cease fire between the two sides.
Nagorno Karabakh is considered to be the most beautiful region in the
west of the Caucasus. Its land is abundant with grape vines and
apricot trees; however, it also has mines planted in most of its
areas. And because there is no security forces in some regions, it is
considered to be dangerous for visitors.
It is worth to note that all the Azeri maps prior to 1920 show that
Azerbaijan included many parts of both Georgia and Armenia.
Therefore, Azerbaijan accuses the Armenians of `robbing' 50% of its
lands. Yet, what is more important to the Azeris is that they live in
the regions that are rich in oil and sell its bi-products to Armenia
although there is no diplomatic relations between the two.
What is more interesting is that Azerbaijan doubts the Armenians so
much that it has accused them of being involved in the September 11,
2001 attacks `because two out of the four planes involved in these
attacks took off from Boston, where the second largest Armenian
community lives, the first being California.' This led to
counter-accusations from Armenia that there were Azeri terrorists on
the aircrafts. Of course, it was proven later that the hijackers were
Arabs.
Both Ohanian and Adjoyan represent two examples of the diaspora who
does not know how to come down from the dream world of Mount Ararat to
the harsh realities of Yerevan.
May 4 2005
Translated from Arabic exclusively for Armenian News Network/Groong
by Katia M. Peltekian
The Armenian Diaspora looks upon Yerevan prepared to move from the
dream homeland to the harsh reality
by Kamal Hanna
Yerevan - Mount Ararat stands high but far from the Armenian capital
Yerevan, from where one can see the snowy peaks, but not the lower
parts of the slopes of the towering mountain. At a 5800-meter
altitude, the mountain becomes an image that only eyes would enjoy...
At the Ani Hotel lobby, Kevin Ohanian, born in the Sudan and a citizen
of Great Britain for 25 years, says he is excited about participating
in the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. He is in Yerevan with his wife, child and
relatives. However, he is also disappointed that his homeland lacks
all the basic necessities of life. Ohanian, who owns a Mexican
restaurant in London, says that the basic necessities should include
strict implementation of rules and regulations that would also
guarantee the rights of the individual. `This is what I cannot see
here; although cooperation and harmony are present, they do not
compensate for the negative effects of the disorder.'
Ohanian adds that he would face many obstacles if he were to start the
same kind of business he has in London - opening a Mexican
restaurant. `That is why I have discarded the idea completely,
although my business in London does fluctuate and sometimes I lose a
lot of money.'
Armenia has endured a lot of losses as the diaspora quickly lost its
enthusiasm which had prevailed when the country gained its
independence after the fall of the communist rule in 1990.
After independence, Armenia has also lost a great number of its
population, which was about 3.8 million; many Armenians thought that
they could have a better and more secure life abroad.
Despite the abundance of European-style caf s, restaurants and
nightclubs in the streets of Yerevan, the majority of its people -
mostly the teenagers and the elderly - live below the poverty level.
Poverty turns into a reality in the suburbs of Yerevan and in the
remote villages which look almost deserted. There is constant danger
to the lives of the people of these regions - landslides occur due to
heavy snow or there is a complete damage of roads when the red and
black rocky hills collapse.
It is worthy to note that $1000 to $5000 is enough to buy a house in
these areas which are also susceptible to earthquakes. The earthquake
in December of 1988 resulted in the death of more than 25,000 people
and thousands were left homeless because the communist rulers were
unable to provide the necessary equipment for relief.
Along the road, one can see houses that look like they would collapse
at any moment. In front of these house, the residents sell different
kinds of pickled vegetables, preservatives, dried fruits, and bread
that the elderly claim is good for the health. They also sell flowers,
apples and apricots, the fruits the drawings of which adorned the
royal clothes.
This kind of lifestyle disappears completely in the capital Yerevan;
one would observe beautiful girls wearing trendy clothes and
cosmetics, taking care of their looks despite their financial
circumstances.
Diran Adjoyan, who was born in Latakia (Syria) but is an American
citizen, says that Armenian girls have always been known for their
elegance, even when they lacked water and electricity due to the
blockade that Azerbaijan has imposed between 1992 and 1994. For
Adjoyan, who works in computer programming, it means that the
Armenians have a strong will to face hardships and always look for a
better life and for self-determination.
Adjoyan is amazed at the changes that have occurred in Armenia since
his last visit in 1999. He says, `I remember staying at a dark hotel
which was lighted by a few lamps in the hallways. Most of the streets
were dark and there was no security. It is totally different now.
During my first visit in 1994, I had to use coal to heat my meals, and
many had to cut the trees in the parks to keep themselves warm.'
He describes the current progress as `fantastic' compared to the
financial abilities of the country. He expects that this progress will
continue at a faster rate, `maybe similar to that of Lebanon after the
war.' He asserts that with the current situation, and after much
thought, he is considering buying a house in Armenia although he says
he does not have many acquaintances here.
Adjoyan says this progress is due to the importance of tourism at
different sites. With a passion, he mentions Lake Sevan, which is 1900
meters above sea level. He says he enjoys the heat of the sun in
summer and sinks in its silence far from the sounds of the waves.
Adjoyan speaks with exhilaration about the natural beauty of Nagorno
Karabakh, which was the cause of conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan from 1989 to 1994, and until Russia mediated to establish a
cease fire between the two sides.
Nagorno Karabakh is considered to be the most beautiful region in the
west of the Caucasus. Its land is abundant with grape vines and
apricot trees; however, it also has mines planted in most of its
areas. And because there is no security forces in some regions, it is
considered to be dangerous for visitors.
It is worth to note that all the Azeri maps prior to 1920 show that
Azerbaijan included many parts of both Georgia and Armenia.
Therefore, Azerbaijan accuses the Armenians of `robbing' 50% of its
lands. Yet, what is more important to the Azeris is that they live in
the regions that are rich in oil and sell its bi-products to Armenia
although there is no diplomatic relations between the two.
What is more interesting is that Azerbaijan doubts the Armenians so
much that it has accused them of being involved in the September 11,
2001 attacks `because two out of the four planes involved in these
attacks took off from Boston, where the second largest Armenian
community lives, the first being California.' This led to
counter-accusations from Armenia that there were Azeri terrorists on
the aircrafts. Of course, it was proven later that the hijackers were
Arabs.
Both Ohanian and Adjoyan represent two examples of the diaspora who
does not know how to come down from the dream world of Mount Ararat to
the harsh realities of Yerevan.