!!!! A shame for our country and politcans!!!!! I came across this link to the YouTube video, which alleges that Armenian oligarch and head of ruling Bargavatch Hayastan (‘Properous Armenia’) party Gagik Tsarukyan stages this fight between his lions and a donkey. (or it was staged at his ‘private zoo! http://unzipped.blogspot.com/2009/10/armenia-video-shows-chilling-example-of.html

I can't believe the article is asking to 'give this guy a break'!!! This guy heads a criminal state. And he should not be given any breaks but he and his regime should be broken.

How ironic the similarities between Pakistan and Armenia. The fate of Pakistan in the hands of ragtag Taliban army. The fate of Armenia in the hands of a ragtag crude and obnoxious small clicque of happy go lucky traitors and turncoats. And all the time Armenians are sleeping. Go figure..

From the footage, it seemed that Mr. Sargsian was rejoiced that the Turks scored a goal. Whether or not it was sincere, we may not know. It is possible that he lacks basic emotional intelligence skills or he doesn't care what his compatriots think of him. But it sure seemed like an ugly thing to do - you may be polite to your hosts without seeming too eager to please them. One thing is sure, though - this definitely did not improve his likability among the Armenians (if he had any). Given the things he has done since before he was allegedly elected as a President, this is a very minor insult to us.

Sos, Read my comment attentively. I wrote a handshake AND a smile would have been appropriate. But there is a difference between smile and laugh.

Ber, If you watched the whole game, then you will have noticed that Serge did not a have a smile for the whole match!! Every time the camera was focused on him, he had a stoic look on his face. He actually reacted late to the goal, turned, smiled and shook hands. I am not defending him what so ever but what was he to do? Shake hands with out a smile?

Before writing this comment I watched that episode once more. It wasn't a "congratulatory smile". Nobody denies that a handshake and a reserved smile to the Turkish colleague would have been an appropriate gesture of diplomatic politeness. But Serzh was laughing! Why? I don't think he was very happy about Armenian team losing. But he should have been aware also of the fact that millions of people are watching him at that moment, especially in the light of rather political meaning of the game. So, maybe it was rather a lack of etiquette or simply lack of common sense. At any rate it didn't look good, it looked at least weird. And no surprise that many commentators tried to understand his funny behaviour and interpreted it so differently, because it is deprived of any logic. And no surprise that opposition makes comments on this incident. Who else if not the opposition should comment on mistakes and lapses of the authorities? P.S. I would suggest that "the guy" gives us and our poor country a break.

a buzz of absurdity amidst the deafening sound voices

a sound voice amidst deafening buzz of absurdity

A GENUINE relationship between Armenia and Turkey is ONLY possible after the PM of Turkey kneels down at Armenian Genocide Memorial in Tsitsernakaberd and askes for forgiveness, as the German PM deed in the past in Israel. Before that, it is all sham temporary political manoeuvres which will lead to NOWHERE. Before that Turkey is Armenia's no.1 enemy. Before that beware of any Turk.

I agree with the expressed opinion. The Turkish players demonstrated greater soccer skills and their goal was clearly "nice". Serge Sarkissian's nice gesture shouldn't be taken any other way thy than as "fair play". This is where politicians exploit anything and everything to score a political points.

Hi, everybody ! Soon Turkey will start a new round of “bargaining” and blackmail. Turkey will demand soon officially “release” of at least 5 regions around NKR, in order to ratify the “protocols”. Armenian government should but an end to all these talks and reports concerning “return” of territories etc... All this is creating panic within the society in NKR. First the status and security guaranties than comes the issue regarding territories which are part of “security belt”! I wish success for our politicians, by solving our pan Armenian issues but every thing is being handled wrongly and these authorities are not trustworthy! Unfortunately, Tashnaks were part of this regime for the last 10 years, but the political culture got from bad to worse. Levo´s ANC “fights” the “criminal” authorities and in the same time calls for the soonest ratification of the protocols. The ruling elite are determinate to stay in power by any cost. ! Soon there will be “black list” and every Armenian, who is against the “protocols”, will be called a “terrorist”. Like Turkey for whom every “Kurd”, who is not a Turk”, is being regarded “terrorist, PKK” (This is called "reconcilation"

Saro: It is not only Turkey and Germany and pan-turanism, etc. It is mainly the corrupt-criminal-gangster-oligarchic Armenian government, which thinks ONLY staying in power and getting richer and richer. These people do not have principles and love or worry about our homeland and its poeple.

Dear Khatchik I am against these protocols and against these ruling elite. Because the see no reason to inform Armenia Diaspora on time and so on … Still I would never think of “punishing” our sister and brothers living in Armenia!! I am against this regime and protocols (Historian commission) but in 2 weeks I am going to Yerevan! Lets us be a bit honest and realistic! I am aware of the fact that Armenia is being blackmailed by Turkey and these protocols being imposed on Armenia! These protocols and so called commission on “Historic dimension” is as, if Diaspora Armenians would to have deal with a couple of COLD winter ,without gas , electricity and good medicine (like the darks days in Yerevan in later 80´s beginning 90´s!!!)- What I like to save is. With join efforts ,we should start fighting any revision of history by Turkey and her ally Germany ( i mean certain forces in germany) and many other Genocide deniers… and try to understand that Armenia and NKR are fighting to survive Turkish blockades , Turkish Blackmails and Pan Turan!!!

Dear Khatchik: First- ArmeniaNow is sponsored by AAA and AGBU who support the so-called "protocols". Second- I wrote already here couple of times to people with your emotions. I do understand your emotions, as I am an East-Armenian living in Europe too and I and 100% against these protocols. But, your anger must be directd to the gangster-regime in Armenia, and NOT against Armenians in Armenia or against Armenia in general. Remember, the criminal oligarch regime in Armenia pressurs people and does everything to keep people in stalinistic fear. In Armenia all TV channels are controlled by state gang, except Yerkir media TV. Only 6 % of Armenians have access to internet. The newspapers are only distributed in Yerevan. In provinces the ONLY informtion saurce is TV. So, many people even do not know what is written in protocols, and the top gang and its manklaviks brainwash the people from controlled TV with their shameless lies. So, better you get over your legitimate anger and DO something to put down the criminal regime in Armenia and build a new Armenia after 18 years of gangsters' paradise.

Can somebody please translate the fallowing article and forward it to Serzh Sarkisyan, Artur Bahgdasaryan, Nalbandyan and to the so called rude speaker of Republican party of Serzh Sarkisyan ? http://www.welt.de/die-welt/kultur/article4826274/Wird-der-Genozid-relativiert.html The article is being published in a news paper close to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel! The article not only attacks Armenian Diaspora but the author put a big question marke on “Armenian Genocide! And the number of killed Armenians by referring to Genocide deniers like: Hikmet Özdemir /says more Turks being killed than Armenains) Norman Stone ( A genocide should be like Jewish Holocaust) Günter Lewy ( Bernard Lewis The author justifies his article because of agreed “historian commission”, which has to re-examinant Armenian Genocide! There is no reaction form Armenian Ambassador in Germany ! ..

Acceding to Erdogan every Turkish family should have at lest 3 children and beside this “assimilation” is a crime against the humanity. Assimilation - e.g. crime against humanity- refers for sure only to” Turkish families”! This might be sound strange but it should not. Maybe we should support Turkey to become EU member!! In the next 20 years Turkey will intensive her efforts to build almost across Europe “Turkish mosques” and big nad smal “Turkish settlements” .. as it was the case with plans of Sultan Adull Hamis for “moving Kurds” and “Muslims” to the historic Armenia e.g. West Armenia… A midified version for te "New European Anatolia" Either Armenia has not enough power, talent and resources to show the world (notably to EU) the true face of Turkey and “Turkish nationalism” and “Islamo-fascism pan Turan ideology ” or just EU and free world is not ready to listen to us and recognize and condom the Armenian Genocide. In both case Armenia should support the EU-membership of Turkey. In 20 or 50 years “Europeans” will be able to “understand” and be interested to know more about Turkish and the Armenian Genocide and start realizing and try to “understand” Armenians, what it means, to have a country like Turkey as “neighbour”!

The gestures were fine. but that's not the problem with Sarksyan's visit to Turkey. The problem is that he was made to go there and sign those papers by world powers that do not care a bit about Armenian aspirations and national interests but are simply in pursuit of the pipeline policies. Poor Armenia that you haven't born a single leader in 20 years to show what the Armenian spirit is. Singing prases to Turkish soccer team and diplomats and congratulating the Turks on spectacular goals isn't an Armenian spirit.

Why should anyone give this guy a break he gave Armenia away to Turkeys laps, the 95 years old straggle turned it into dust in mere minutes, who gave him this right, this was our history, our pain our struggle for justice. He could have been a national hero if he did not budge regardless of any sorts of pressure. Instead of waiting to receive optimum benefit for Armenia, after all, they are the ones wanting so badly to get into EU, this guy made it all easy for them, now Turkey has all its pretensions...opening borders for good will they say, then what other legitimate claims can Armenians have after this?

Mike D, As with any established publication it should be understood that the "we" in ArmeniaNow's editorials reflect the editorial staff (Editor in Chief and Managing Editors) and is either jointly written or endorsed by the editorial team. This is a common style world wide and one we practice with the understanding that our readers have the sophistication to recognize the tradition. Thanks for reading.

montecristo: What are you talking about? S.S. was very happy when Turkey scored BECAUSE...........? I think this moment alone already showed all his FACE. All his "Armenian" face. And the little boy E.D. showed his "Armenian" face there.

The protocol should not be passed by the Armenian parliament, if it does Armenia is finally sold to Turkey and those who dream Armenia without Armenians will soon be realized. Rotten politicians who have no principles, no faith they sold their souls to the devil. Poor Armenians. I wonder if Jewish people would have signed any "protocols" if Germany did not recognize the Holocaust. As one of our wised poets said "ashkharum misht el tuyl ne megavor".

Let me tell you why Sarkisyan's handshake pissed people off: It is like when two people end up not loving and then hating each other. Then every small deed of the other person just pisses you off. I think, there are a lot of people who hate Sarksiyan. Me, as a Diasporan, can't even see his face on a picture anymore. I hate the guy. In fact, I am struggling to keep some sympathy for Armenia itself which has kept these people in power for such a long time. So, yes, things are quite bad and there a lot of hard feelings.

Is this a way for Armenia Now to all of a sudden become neutral and balance the scales? Does this also imply that you are convinced that Levon Ter Petrosyan is desperately after the throne? Regardless I do agree that a handshake is merely what it is and does not even merit a comment - not in this context at least. Anger is just being channeled the wrong way.

Well here comes again, anonymous author claims to know for a "fact" who an obscure "we" wished to be a President. Is the "we" the author and his buddies? Or, is it the editorial staff of Armenia.com? Or, may be, by we, you mean all Armenians and claim to know for a fact what they wished for? This is another "journalistic" mediocrity. I cannot not to draw parallels between anti-Obama zealots, nuts, and loonies in United States that were celebrating Chicago's loss for Olympic games. The haters that say Obama did not deserve Nobel Peace Award. People like this hate a particular person more than they love their country.

I can not even look anymore at S.S. and E.N.. That protocol signing ceremony was such an embarrassment and humiliation for Armenia. We, with 3000year history, and they treated our "FM" like a 12 year old boy. It makes me so angry. What an injustice. AGAIN-those western powers (with Russia)-at Turkeys back: but this time open and shamelessly. It is more than obvious that S.S. and his little boy must go and go soon. I do not see them anymore as representatives of RoA.

Paul: He is not a davachan,but a DAVACHAN. Even Vasak would be surprised.

It is true that attacking a handshake is probably over the top. And I don't have a problem with a handshake. BUT, then to be fair I would also like to bring up the issue of boohoo of the Armenian national anthem. A few years ago, President Chirac was assisting to a football match and the Anthem got boohooed. He simply stepped out of the VIP section and waited outside until people chilled out. And then he came back in. It was a way of keeping his and his country’s dignity How did Sarkisyan react to the boohooing? In fact for the last several weeks no matter where Sarksiyan went he was boohooed. He was maybe getting used to getting insulted. So, you see there was a whole context in which this handshake happened and which explains why people don’t want to “give this guys a break”.

Agreed. I am no fan of Serzh but I have no problem with him showing congratulations to the President on a goal, of all the things to oppose that is hardly a concern. It is extremely petty and I'm really getting sick of all the 'davajan' claims.