Notes from the Armenian Blogosphere
While the Diaspora and nationalist parties turn their attention to the rise of ultra-nationalism in Turkey, increasing racially motivated violence against Armenians and other nationalities in Russia continues to be ignored even by those parties that say they will protest the killing of Armenians anywhere.
“The Armenian youth can never put up with the terrorist acts against any Armenian in any country. The murders of Gourgen Margaryan and Hrant Dink tell us one thing: Turkey is still not ready for constructive dialogue with Armenia”, said Abraham Gasparyan, member of “Nikol Aghbalyan” youth union.
Truth is, they mean only if Armenians die in Azerbaijan, Georgia or Turkey because it suits their political interests. Anyway, apart from a few ethnic Armenians that protested outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Russian Embassy in Yerevan last year, there have been no protests of any note staged anywhere else.
In London, only two attended a protest. As mentioned in the comments section of this post, they even had to take turns taking photos here and here. Still, after recently returning from Russia, local blogger Zarchka at Life Around Me has made two posts here and here on what she experienced while visiting Armenia’s “strategic partner.”
Amazing that there is little interest in this matter anywhere else in the Armenian blogosphere.
We take metro, my station is the last one, so I farewell my friends in the half way. As I get to the final point I try to get through my relative who is supposed to meet me at the metro exit. But I’m out of coverage, so I can’t call her. As I reach the final steps of the underground I notice a group of young Russians at the exit. My phone still refuses to work.
“It’s dangerous, never walk alone in Russia” as I remember people’s advice to me. I’m well aware of the innocent deaths of many Armenians […]
[…]
Am imagining people living there with fear in their hearts, fear for their children, with fear that they may be killed one day by a group of nationalists. With fear that one day their children might not come back from school and later their bodies will be found with nationalistic laces around their necks…
It is not a life… It’s a nightmare… When is the sunrise?
[…]
[…] A middle aged man with a brief case, sitting in front of us is looking at us strangely. […]
- Do you know that Georgian girls are being caught here as well?, - he asks with as if nothing meaning but mean smile. […]
- But we are not Georgians,- answers my relative with a smile and we again go on talking to each other.His smile disappears for a moment. He leans back. After thinking for a moment on “how can’t they be Georgians with such black hair and dark complexion”, he again sits on the edge and calls us to his attention with his forefinger.
- But you are from Caucasus, right?
[…]
He leans back again with the same mean smile on his face. He gets ready to leave as it’s obviously his station. For the final time he sits on the edge and says:
- Aaah, you are Armenians….. What’s the difference?!, - and leaves.
I suppose being foreign is the only thing that matters to nationalists in Russia and Turkey. However, why does the Diaspora only concentrate its attention on the latter? That’s a rhetorical question, btw.
Armenian killed in Moscow
30.01.2007 16:38 GMT+04:00 Print version Send to mail In Russian In Armenian
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During a skirmish an Armenian was killed on the North-West of Moscow. According to Moscow Prosecutors’ Office, near Khimkinski avenue in front of the enter of a house an unknown opened fired from automatic gun and killed the man who was leaving the building. “The victim died of wounds on the spot. It was Armen Manukyan born in 1962,” RIA Novosti reports citing the Moscow Prosecutors’ Office Press Service. A case was brought under 105 article of Russian Penal Code. Investigation is being carried out to find the murderers.
Comment by Onnik — January 31, 2007 @ 11:00 am
Comment by Onnik — January 31, 2007 @ 8:03 pm