I just called Armenia’s International Airport and talked to a friend, who works there, about the situation.

It is 10:41 a.m. 3 May 2006 in Armenia, and most office employees have just arrived to the Airport.

The office of Armavia, the company whose airplane just crushed and killed 113 people, is located 200 meters away from the Airport. My source says that the gates of Armavia’s building are closed and the members of the victims have surrounded it. Voices of cries and anger are heard everywhere at the Airport.

I asked why Armavia was closed. “Because the families of the victims [are so angry that they] would kill Armavia officials.”

Zvartnots (Armenia) International Airport on an early spring morning with Mount Ararat in the background (April 2006)

Several Armenian authorities (I am not sure if my source was referring to the Mafia) have been on the plane. I was not told the names of those individuals over the phone, but Armavia will most likely get into a lot of trouble and face a possible shutdown.

The Armenian TV stations, I was told, are not reporting that the plane was crushed due to the weather. The families and friends of the victims are not inclined to believe to that version, and the Armenian Public TV has said that the cause of the crush is being investigated.

The crush has happened in the territory of Russia, a country where racist crimes against Armenians and other minorities are too threatening in the last weeks.

Also everybody knows in Armenia that Armavia’s planes are old [and not safe?]. This could be THE reason…

There have been no delays in other flights because of the crash.

I just visited www.news.google.com and the first headline was "Armenian jet crashes near Sochi."
100 people have been killed, including five children.
Most likely not a terrorist takeover nor a Turkish bomb.

BBC 3 May 2006
Armenian jet crashes near Sochi

The plane was en route from Yerevan to Sochi
A passenger airplane flying from Armenia's capital, Yerevan, to the city of Sochi in southern Russia has crashed over the Black Sea, officials say.

The Airbus A-320 plane from Armenia's Armavia airline was carrying about 100 people, when it disappeared from radar screens about 0215 (2215GMT Tuesday).

Debris has been seen in the sea, about 6km (four miles) from the coast, says Russia's Emergencies Ministry.

Bad weather conditions are making the search for survivors difficult.

Life jackets have been found in the accident area, although no people have been found, said deputy head of Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry, Viktor Beltsov.

Among those on board were eight crew and five children, he said.

Sochi is a popular Russian seaside resort, near the border with Georgia.

A reliable source just informed that the Library of Congress does not use the word “genocide” in cataloging sources about the Armenian holocaust. Why? The U.S. Department of State does not authorize so!

I will post documentation once I receive it from the source.

If you are a fan of www.yerevannights.com and you still don’t know who the hell 51B are, blogian is the only place to find it about at.

It is now morning in the United States and 9:30pm 1 May 2006 in Armenia. I just visited Yerevannights.com, the online Armenian radio, and found out that 51B is Top Ten artist (second place!) with its “Haverj Khishenq” (We Shall Remember Forever) song. The list includes Tata Simonyan (first place), Arsen Safarian (fourth place), Forsh (eight place) and Charles Aznavour (last place).

So who the hell 51B is and why is this "band" only available at YerevanNights?

Here is the secret of the century: 51B is the 2003 (number B) class of 51 Secondary School in Yerevan, Armenia. The song was the official song of the graduation show (verjin zangi handes) of class B. Lyrics are written by my sister, Arpi, and myself. The idea was my sister’s, and the organizational efforts were largely mine. I am also one of the “main” singers in the song, the rest are my classmates Anahit, David, Haik, Satenik. We recorded it in May of 2003 at Russkoe Radio (Russian Radio), if my memory is not betraying me.

The song was meant to be a private one, but since I volunteered for Yerevan Nights at the beginning of its establishment, I shared the song with the Radio, and now it is Top Ten!

In short, 51B is blogian and friends.

Via iArarat. The famous Time magazine has published the names of 100 individuals “whose power, talent or moral example is transforming our world.” The list includes great and evil people with all of them with a common characteristic of being one of the most influential individuals in our days. One of those great people (he is under the list of people "who do the right thing"), according to Time, is the “Teller of the Awful Truth:” Orhan Pamuk.

It is not only eggs from Turkish nationalists that followed Orhan Pamuk’s reference to the Armenian genocide: he is now considered one of the 100 influential people of the world by Time magazine. If you remember, last year Time distributed a Turkish propagandist DVD denying the Armenian genocide. Though the magazine apologized for the offense, it did not take an affirmative action. A reason for nominating Pamuk could be the fact of “feeling guilty” for genocide denial (CEM TURKEL/AFP/Getty Images).

Pamuk’s awful truth was a simple sentence that stated over a million Armenians were killed in Turkey. The simple reference to the Armenian genocide, nevertheless, was close to cost this famous Turkish novelist’s life.

Truth did not take Pamuk’s life away, but rather made him one of the most 100 influential people on the planet Earth.

The truth shall set you free; the truth shall make you famous.

…Pamuk, already the most famous author in contemporary Turkey (Snow; The Black Book), became a global cause celebre early last year after he pointedly criticized his country's all-too-willful historical blind spots: the genocide of Armenians in 1915 by the Turkish military and a similar suppression of the country's Kurdish minority…

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/…1187233,00.html

Madeleine Albright was the keynote speaker of the 88th International Convention of Phi Theta Kappa in Seattle last week. I expected her to be a better public speaker: her speech was monotone and the style was more of a press release than an address.

Albright speaking at the 88th International Convention of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society in Seattle. 21 April 2006. One of the few things about Bush’s foreign policy that the former U.S. Secretary of State likes is the Millennium Challenge Compact, a major recipient of which is Armenia. Photo by me

Her statements, however, were well-judged and very bright. A particular anecdote she told us is still in my mind. When Iraq’s former president Saddam Hussein called Madeleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State at the time, a “snake,” the latter wore a snake pin while meeting the Iraqi ambassador.

Calling the Iraqi invasion “a war of choices,” Ms. Albright was confronted with the question whether there was anything in Bush’s foreign policy that she endorsed.

Asked if there was something that she did wrong while she was the U.S. Secretary of State, Albright said, “Rwanda.” She said she was directed to vote “no” on sending U.N. troops to Rwanda while thousands of Tutsis were being butchered. Photo by me

Among three things that the first female (and immigrant) U.S. Secretary of State approves of Bush’s foreign policy is the Millennium Challenge Compact that supports developing countries to end rural poverty by providing large amount of grants.

As I have mentioned before, Armenia is one of the major recipients of the Millennium Challenge Compact.

Many Jewish intellectuals recently harshly criticize the Israeli government for its official denial of the Armenian genocide. A newest article, “Denying the Undeniable,” appears in Haaretz’s 28 April 2006 issue.

“For interests of realpolitik, Israel is guilty of complicity in denying the Armenian genocide. Thus, how can we accuse other nations of debasing themselves by denying the Holocaust for reasons of realpolitik?” writes Yossi Sarid. He goes ahead to say that Israel not only has to change its sinister policy of denying the Armenian genocide, but also must champion establishing a United Nations day for commemorating the Armenian martyrs’ day.

Yair Auron's famous book has been finally published in Hebrew

Israel has many times been labeled “Holocaust denier” by Israeli intellectuals, and lately it is becoming very popular in that country to confront the government about its double standard policy. And it is not only the Armenian genocide that is ignored in a country established as a result of the WWII genocide: Jewish high school students don’t even learn that Gypsies were also the victims of the Holocaust.

But it is not only some arrogant Jews and Israel denying and ignoring the Armenian genocide. Many arrogant Armenians have similar approach to the Holocaust, though not on official level. The essay that has won me America’s highest college award deals with the issue of genocide awareness within people who have witnessed genocide. I am posting it here with the expectation of receiving hate e-mails by some people who will not like the idea of me saying that many Armenians are ignorant toward the Holocaust (and I have known Holocaust deniers in Armenia…). This is the reality and we have to face it. We must learn how to learn about others.

Simon Maghakyan
Arapahoe Community College

The Worst Human Choice

from USA TODAY

“Genocide is not an accident. It is a choice. It occurs because human beings make it happen and let it happen.” Professor Emeritus Roger Smith ended class with this final thought last August. Among twenty students attending a graduate course in Canada was I: a descendant of the Armenian people who had suffered this “worst human choice” during WWI. My heritage leads me to advocate preventing humans from making the worst choice.

Roots of my genocide awareness project go back to Armenia. I began by studying, then writing, then publishing articles. Moving to America in 2003, I found a greater need to speak and write, promoting awareness. Supported by ACC’s International Student Organization, I screened the notorious genocide film, Ararat. In April 2004, I attended a national conference in Washington, D.C. In workshops I learned lobbying, then visited Congress to advocate for genocide recognition. While I was in Washington, the Arapahoe Observer (college newspaper), Daily Targum (university newspaper in New Jersey) and Gorizont (Colorado-based Russian newspaper) published my columns on the Armenian genocide.

Initially, I imagined the Armenian genocide as unique. But a program I conceived and directed at ACC became a learning experience for me. I know now that genocide is not unique; it has happened in all the parts of the world, and it happens now. When Hitler mentioned Armenian massacres as examples of getting lebensraum in 1931, many were skeptical that genocide might ever occur in Germany. The same behavior can be seen today: many ignore the genocide in Sudan, thinking our society is safe from facing crimes against humanity.

How did I learn of the Parallel ignorance exists among people who have faced genocide, yet do not want to learn of others’ experiences. Both Armenian and Jewish communities generally think “their” experience unique. But on April 21, 2005, the Armenian and Jewish communities of Colorado were invited to learn of each other’s tragedies and donate money for the genocide survivors in Sudan.

The idea of having a remembrance event came to me early in 2005. What resulted is the most moving educational experience I have had at ACC. Supported by my Phi Theta Kappa chapter and Armenian and Jewish groups, I organized, coordinated, publicized, and hosted ACC’s first Genocide and Holocaust Commemoration. I spoke, a survivor of Auschwitz spoke, and an Armenian scholar spoke. Student attendees learned history; Armenians and Jews discovered that they were not alone in their tragedies. Everyone listened, cried and prayed together. A week after the event the Holocaust speaker wrote to me: “I want to include pictures of the Armenian genocide in my presentations. Let me know where to get them.”

A month later, our school screened Hotel Rwanda. We again collected donations for Sudan. Many of those who came knew of the Genocide and Holocaust Commemoration. Again, I spoke out: the genocide in Sudan is not over. To make “never again” reality, we need to work, work harder and work together, we: the Armenians, the Jews, the Rwandans and the rest of us. We are all human, and only we can prevent ourselves from again making the “worst human choice.”

Below is the official press release regarding my recent national awards in the U.S. In short, I was awarded with America's most prestigous student award. Only top 20 community college students get the award every year.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
4/26/06
Cindy Murphy, Communications Specialis
Arapahoe Community College
Phone: (303) 797-5709
E-mail: [email protected]

ACC’s Maghakyan earns national honors

Arapahoe Community College (ACC) student Simon Maghakyan, of Littleton, has been named to USA Today’s All-USA Community College Academic First Team. This honor, co-sponsored by USA Today, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, was bestowed at the April 24 AACC convention in Long Beach, California.

Opening of the American Association of Community Colleges Convention on 22 April 2006 in Long Beach, California

Maghakyan, originally of Armenia, received an All-USA Academic Team medallion and commemorative trophy, as well as a cash award. Annually, 20 students are named to the First Team out of approximately 1500 nominees from two-year colleges across the nation. The nominees must have a 3.25 GPA and an extensive record of community and campus activities. Judges considered how well the students applied their academic and intellectual skills in the various communities in which they live, work and learn.

While attending the AACC convention, Maghakyan was also the community college student representative for the State of Colorado and honored as a New Century Scholar along with 49 other students.

Receiving the New Century Scholar award on 23 April 2006 in Long Beach, California

Prior to attending the American Association of Community Colleges Convention, Maghakyan was recognized as a Guistwhite Scholar at the 88th Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Convention in Seattle, Washington. He was selected to the 20-member group out of 600 applicants.

Receiving the All-USA Academic First Team award on 24 April 2006 in Long Beach, California. From left to right, Bert Glandon, Arapahoe Community College President; Simon Maghakyan, All-USA Academic Team member; Bob Dull, former Executive Editor of USA Today. The latter opened his introductory speech about me by mentioning the importance of April 24, the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day, to me.

Maghakyan served as president of ACC’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society chapter during 2004-2005, and is currently leading ACC’s Student Leadership Council. One of his academic successes was the completion, in summer 2005, of the graduate-level “Genocide and Human Rights Studies” course organized by the International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies in Toronto. His participation in the program was made possible by a full scholarship from Colorado-based philanthropists Kaloust and Arous Christianian.

Maghakyan will be graduating from Arapahoe Community College on May 13 and plans to continue his political science studies at a four-year university. USA Today published Maghakyan’s photograph and biography in the April 24 issue.

While I was in Long Beach (California), my cousin Arman picked me up and we went to the Armenian Genocide commemorative march in Little Armenia (aka, LA) on 24 April 2006.

After moving to America in 2003, I had not seen so many Armenians in one place; it was very moving. With tears on my eyes I was watching the young and the elderly getting ready for the walk. Tears, not only for those one and a half million, including my own relatives, who perished 90 years ago, but also tears for those present who had no chance of mourning.

They do not have the time to mourn since they must “demand justice;” they do not have the ability to remember in silence since they have to fight the Turkish denial of the Armenian Genocide.

What happens if Turkey admits the Genocide? Are Armenians ready for that moment and what are they going to do next? With these and other questions in my mind I keep walking.

Confused feelings; sadness for hearing English speech from the mouths of Armenian children when they talk among themselves: after all, wasn’t the Genocide to kill what was Armenian? Isn’t assimilation equivalent to the long-term purpose of genocides?

Then I cannot hide my admiration of the beautiful Armenian eyes that are walking around me. I look at them with fear in my heart for those of us in Armenia: what if Turkey does it again? What if Turkey invades the current tiny Republic of Armenia?

This is when I swear “never again” in my heart; this is when I know that one day I will return to Armenia and not leave it ever again in order to make never again a reality…for at least during my lifetime.

[written on an airplane from Long Beach to Phoenix, 24 April 2006; all photographs by Simon Maghakyan/blogian.hayastan.com]

I will be traveling from Thursday, 20 April until Tuesday, 25 April 2006; therefore I will not be able to update blogian during this short period of time. To find out WHY I will be traveling, check out America’s most circulated USA TODAY daily’s 24 April 2006 (Monday) issue under Life > Education section.