In January 2004, an 'Ad-Hoc' Parliamentary Commission initiated a study into the World Bank financed Municipal Development Project. The Authorized Representative of A. Utilities was involved in a wide-ranging program of Fraud and Corruption, plus a scheme to Embezzle Tens of Millions of Dollars of Public Funds
Click the link for more …………… Municipal Development Project
Living in Armenia since 1994, as a member of an Armenian family has not only been a most pleasant experience, but an ideal way to muster an insight into the Armenian Way of Life; its history, its culture, its people, the problems, the joys, and what is always foremost on peoples minds - its politics.
In1994, Armenia was a New Independent State with a recently elected President, trying to revive a collapsed economy after independence from the Soviet Union, which led to a hard-fought war over Nagorny Karabagh. At that time,
My time in Armenia has been spent Writing and Implementing Humanitarian Programs; helping to Build a Precious Mineral Processing Plant; being Adviser to a Prime Minister; Managing a Program to Re-Establish the Armenian Sugar Industry, including a USTDA Feasibility Study; and later Designing and Piloting a Water Project, for Government Approval and Implementation. But my year studying the convoluted workings of the Government for a Parliamentary Commission led to the realization that the Government is more akin to a State Conglomerate, with the Armenian people as its Captive Market, rather than a Custodian of State Assets, serving the needs of it’s electorate. Not surprising that
Today, with these experiences, and together with my Local and International Associates, we continue to fight the cause of the common folk by promoting the Establishment of a New Ethanol Industry, a Major Agricultural Development Project, to substitute the wanting sugar industry, and using the same Sugar Beets as the Agricultural Feedstock. But the road ahead is not easy; the State Dominates all worthwhile enterprise, so what may be desperately needed by Armenia’s farmers, and what may be important for real economic development, is not necessarily of value to those in power.
Armenia has come a long way since 1994, and although the economy is ‘Apparently’ booming, there is increasing anxiety that life for Armenia’s common folk is not developing altogether in the right direction?
Rafik and Haik Growing up
Haik runs after Rafik and eventually after asking a few friends on the street, Rafik finds a pharmacy
The lady asks - Who are the Tampax for?
Rafik says - They’re for my little brother Haik.
The lady asks - How old are you?
Rafik says - I’m eight and my little brother is four.
So, Balik Jan, what do you need the Tampax for? - Asks the lady.
The lady says – Balik Jan,
Rafik exclaims – Haik can’t do either!!
Rafik and Haik doing business – Armenian style
Rafik asks his brother Haik for a loan.
Here’s a little Ditty that I thought I’d include about Haik and Rafik – But then it came to me that this is exactly the type of story that Armenians would find offensive, whereas we Brits don’t mind making fun of ourselves. So this one is a typical example of the differences between English and Armenian humour - and it’s not about Haik and Rafik, it’s about Lord Spencer and his chauffeur.
One afternoon Lord Spencer was riding on his way home in his limousine when he saw a man bending down along the roadside. He ordered his driver to stop and he got out to talk to the man. My man, he said, What are you doing down there? The man looked up and said – I’m eating The Lord asked - But why are you eating grass? The poor man replied - I don't have any money for food, so I have to eat grass. Lord Spencer said - Well then, you can come with me to my house and I'll feed you. The man replied - But sir, I have a wife and two children with me. They are over there, under that tree. The Lord asked – What are they doing? The man said – They’re eating too In disbelief, the Lord asked – Are they eating grass too? The man replied – Yes Sir. The Lord said - Bring them along too. The man gathered his family together and as they climbed into Lord Spencer’s Limousine, he yelled – See you later Mike. Lord Spencer asked - Who is Mike? The man said - That’s my friend, he’s in among the trees. Lord Spencer asked - What is he doing? The man said - He’s eating grass. The Lord said - Well let him come with us. The man called Mike and said – Come on, were going with his Lordship for something to eat.
The man came out from the woods and said in a pitiful voice - "But sir, I have a wife and four children with me! - Lord Spencer answered - That’s not a problems, bring them all.
Mike and his wife and four children all climbed into the car, which was a bit of a squeeze, even for a car as large as the Lord’s limousine. On the way, one of the wives said to the Lord - Sir, you are so kind. Thank you for taking all of us with you The Lord replied, Glad to do it. You'll really love my place. The grass is almost a foot high.
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