This is something that I just have to fume about before the passion of the moment dies.

It deals with the ineptitude and lack of vision on the part of the present RoA government in its dealings with the Diaspora. The problem, as many already know and some would care to disregard, lies in the person of the present Minister of the Diaspora – a longtime bureaucrat with a total lack of vision of what needs to be done to build bridges with the Diaspora and the lack of will to do it.   »»»»»

170,000 Armenians live in Turkey, of which 100,000 are illegal and not citizens of Turkey. Tomorrow, if necessary, we shall exile them from our country.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey. 16 March, 2010

Any claim of a hundred thousand citizens of Armenia living illegally in Turkey is baseless. One can at the most speak of 12 to 14 thousand citizens of Armenia living in Turkey today, of which a significant part is legally resident in that country. But they are not the subject under discussion, but the conduct of Turkey towards them and, in particular, the response of the international community. Or rather, the lack of one. »»»»»

By Tavit Asdvadzadourian

Turkey’s quest for Armenians to forget what happened 95 years ago and its manipulative suggestion to let this touchy subject to a handful of historians to discuss the matter in the next 95 years in dark libraries or museums does not sit well with any Armenian whose parents or grandparents survived the Genocide. »»»»»

The widow of writer Gurgen Mahari is too proud to ask for assistance despite hard times

“It hurts me when people say, ‘We respect her because she’s the wife of Gurgen Mahari’. If I can’t be appreciated on my own, then I have no need for the name of anyone else, if I have nothing of value that commands respect,” said Antonina Mahari, the wife of noted Armenian writer and poet Gurgen Mahari. »»»»»

Will Erhan Arik Succeed in Pricking the Conscience of Fellow Turks?

Erhan Arik was born in Ardahan, Turkey, and lived there till he turned thirteen. His ancestors were Meskhetian Turks who hail from the region now known as Samtskhe-Javakheti in southern Georgia. Erhan now lives in Istanbul but visits Ardahan every year. He has many close Armenian friends. »»»»»

Charles Lonsdale: “Not only open borders, but more open atmosphere in Armenia”

“I look back now and recall that there was a big sport field behind our house and how we used to run there. When I compare this to Yerevan I see how little opportunities there are for Armenian kids to play outside and then I really appreciate my childhood, how happy and lucky we were”, Charles Lonsdale says, recounting his childhood. »»»»»

29 year-old Mariam Harutyunyan, who sells women’s jeans and clothing accessories in s store called “Fashion Time” was charged with credit card fraud back in February 2009 after an investigation by the RoA National Security Service. She was indicted with using fake bank cards to withdraw and then launder large sums of cash from automated teller machines in Armenia. »»»»»

In this installment in our series focusing on foreign ambassadors serving in Armenia, we talked with Hans-Jochen Schmidt, appointed Ambassador of the Federal republic of Germany to Armenia in October, 2009.

Prior to his Yerevan posting, Mr. Schmidt headed the OSCE Minsk Office. During his long and distinguished career in the German diplomatic corps, he has served in Cairo, St. Petersburg and Kiev. »»»»»

Hetq is starting a series highlighting various members of the RoA National Assembly. This week we would like to bring to your attention MP Hrant Grigoryan who represents District 20 in Armavir Marz.

For the past month, Hetq reporter Natasha Harutyunyan has attempted to organize an interview with MP Hrant Grigoryan. He has never made a speech on the floor of parliament and once told a reporter that he doesn’t give interviews. »»»»»

First “Bjni” now “Byuregh”: Authorities seek to cripple opposition supporters

Khachatur Sukiasyan supported the candidacy of Levon Ter-Petrosyan in the 2008 presidential elections and has paid the price.

Even though he was “granted” his freedom after coming out of hiding, the preliminary investigation in his case continues. »»»»»

Japanese Scholar Researching Post WW II Armenian Repatriation

Rumour has it that you can bump into more than a few interesting and unusual characters at an opposition rally here in Yerevan. That’s exactly what happened on March 1, when by pure serendipity, I bumped into Takayuki Yoshimura. »»»»»

Last minute sponsors finance team’s trip to Canada

By a stroke of pure luck and dogged determination, a five member Armenian delegation leaves Yerevan today headed for Vancouver, Canada, to participate in the 2010 Paralympics. The games will host 1,000 disabled athletes from 40 nations. »»»»»

Humanity has existed from time immemorial and during the past 20,000-30,000 years gas was never burnt. Now look at what’s happening. People in Armenia are all emotional; they want to burn gas. Go to your homes and burn cow dung.”

The above statement was made by RoA MP Vardan Bostanjyan during a press conference after it was declared that the price of gas would be going up. »»»»»

After Interlaken ECHR Will Resemble Kafka’s “The Castle”

On February 18-19, in the Swiss city of Interlaken, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers met to devise ways to reform the overburdened European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). A joint declaration was issued setting the course for the future reform of the ECHR. »»»»»

MP Tigran Torosyan: “People must understand officials are not here to hand out favors”

Trying to reach the village of Vardenis, Aragatzotn Marz, especially during the winter, is an arduous and nearly impossible journey. Roads leading to the village, located just five kilometers from the town of Abaran, are covered with slick ice from the hardened snows. »»»»»

It’s the people of the RoA who suffer from “strained relations”

There’s a conference taking place in Washington D.C. these days on the state of Diaspora-Armenia relations during the past twenty years since independence. Now that’s a pretty big bite to chew off and digest in a few days, but I wish them success. »»»»»

Plans Underway in Syunik for Community Credit Consultants

Before I could even get my foot in the door of the Babayan house, three year-old Davit yelled out, “Kamo was here. He tore the rug from the wall and took off with it.” He repeated this a few times, probably hoping to hear some words of consolation from the unknown guest.  »»»»»

Mariam Sukhudyan and Friends Stumble on Some Disturbing Evidence in Forest

On February 20, a group of young people travelled to Dilijan for a hike in the woods. Upon entering the forest they heard a familiar but unwelcome sound. »»»»»

Inferior construction in Gyumri leads to new contract in Spitak

Two months ago, it became apparent that the buildings constructed by Glendale Hills with government money intended to house homeless families in Gyumri, were sub-standard. »»»»»

Raises Three Grandchildren in Hut Next to Town Garbage Dump

For the past two years Laura Tadevosyan has been raising her three young grandchildren next to a smoldering garbage dump in the village of Sasunik, Aragatzotn Marz.

This is where Carmen Ghahramanyan, the children’s mother, died in December, 2009. »»»»»

Building Hosts Village Weddings and Playground

Even in the dead of winter, pupils at the Vardenis village school in Aragatzotn have a place to play football.

The cold winds blowing through the broken windows of the gymnasium and the thick dust rising up from its crumbling floor doesn’t seem to bother the kids though. »»»»»