Armenians as Original People of Britain?

Now here's something to wrap your head around! On the first page of one of the earliest chronicles of English history, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, it is stated - rather explicitly - that Armenians were the first people of Britain. No, the RedBull you just had isn't playing tricks on your mind!

The island Britain is 800 miles long, and 200 miles broad. And there are in the island five nations; English, Welsh (or British), Scottish, Pictish, and Latin. The first inhabitants were the Britons, who came from Armenia, and first peopled Britain southward.

Whoa there! Are you telling me that Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Black Sabbath all have Armenian blood? Forget the deeper historical implications, that's great news! Well, maybe not so. Reading the Chronicle further - and you're free to do so yourself with the link on the bottom - we find that there may be a possible error.

We look at the footnotes and find this:

De tractu Armoricano." --Bede, "Ecclesiastical History" i. I. The word Armenia occurring a few lines above in Bede, it was perhaps inadvertently written by the Saxon compiler of the "Chronicle" instead of Armorica.

In other words, it is very possible - nay, probable - that whoever wrote that particular sentence and included "Armenia" intended to write Armorica.

But what the hell is Armorica?

Armorica or Aremorica is the name given in ancient times to the part of Gaul that includes the Brittany peninsula and the territory between the Seine and Loire rivers, extending inland to an indeterminate point and down the Atlantic coast. The toponym is based on the Gaulish phrase are mori "on/at [the] sea", made into the Gaulish place name Aremorica 'Place by the Sea'.

Since my efforts to find reliable maps of Armorica were fruitless, I thus conclude that the history of Armenia & Britain were purposely obscured throughout the ages by opposing forces. Therefore, Armorica never existed and it was indeed Armenians who initially inhabited Britain!

Another mystery solved.

Source: The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Armorica on WikiPedia

British Dancer Strips With Armenian Flag

I couldn't make this up even if I tried! One thing I do know, however, is that I would have loved to have been there. You'll see why.

While appearing at Stanislavsky State Theater before a full hall of about 600 dance fans, [Nigel]Charnock performed a dance that many in the audience said was like "from a strip club", making some uncomfortable and challenging conservative definitions of "art".

...trouble came when he wrapped his loins in a British flag, then covered his torso in the Armenian tricolor. He also danced on top of each flag. Charnock told reporters that he wore the Armenian flag because he "felt surrounded by Armenian friendship".

While ordering that Thursday’s performance be cancelled, [Ministry of Culture's Hasmik] Poghosyan said it was not a matter of censorship, but that: "He can stand, chew, swallow his flag, but it is forbidden to disrespect the Armenian flag and is punished by criminal law."

This is just too much fun! I don't know which part I like more: the fact that Armenians in Armenia most likely aren't aware of the word "art" outside of a museum or that there is a law in Armenia that prohibits "disrespecting" the flag, which is punishable under criminal law?

Frankly, the outcome of the elections has taken a back seat for me. Without freedom of expression, who the hell needs a democratically elected president?

On another note, turns out you can even email Hasmik Poghosyan, the Minister of Culture! I'll drop her a line and tell you if she responds.

Source: ArmeniaNow

Foreign Investments in Armenia Increase 32%

Well, we wanted some good news, and here it is!

Armenian national statistical service (Armstat) said the volume of foreign investments in the country's real economy sector in January-September of 2006 (not counting investments in the state management and banking sectors) rose almost 32 percent from a year ago to $297.5 million.

Armstat said the volume of direct investments was $149.4 million, 8 percent up from a year ago. It said investments from Greece declined 34 percent to $44.8 million, investments from Russia declined 5 percent to $34.4 million. Instead investments from Argentine grew 9 times to $58 million, 2 times from Lebanon to $56.2 million.

Investments from the USA and Great Britain made $17.6 and $21.1 million respectively, up 42 and 15 percent. Investments came also for the first time from China, Liechtenstein and Finland. Almost 34 percent of foreign and 23.7 percent of direct investments went to the communications sector, 23 percent of direct investments went to the mining and 16.4 percent to aviation sectors.

As long as these numbers don't hide a certain truth of fudging, this really is good news for Armenia. As reported earlier, this most likely means more Armenian assets are going to foreign companies/governments, which essentially means Armenains can't control their future. International conflicts and other such economic disturbances can possibly play havoc on Armenia's economy.

But since we're still growing rapidly, maybe this "initial wave" of investments - some 15 years in the making - is a good thing.

Source: ArmenPress.

Armenia's Biggest Chemical Plant Sold to British

A deal that has been in the making since mid-August is coming to a close: Armenia will sell a 90% stake in Nairit, Armenia's biggest chemical plant, to a British company called Rhinoville Property Limited for $40 million.

Movsisian said under the takeover agreement the new owner has committed to invest $120 million to modernize the plant.

Movsisian said the plant produces now 1000 tons of synthetic rubber a month, sold, apart from Russia, also to the USA and Europe. The new owner has committed also to increase the output from current 10,000 tons a year to 35,000 tons.

This is great. I think the Armenian government has found the best way to finance itself: sell off important assets as necessary! Is there anything we haven't yet sold? Pretty soon we're going to be foreigners in our own land.

It's obvious why any company would like to do business in Armenia. Sure! If they can pollute rivers and the environment, poison the people, and get cheap labor, while at the same time getting away with it all, why wouldn't any company want to do the same? It's always the bottom line that matters, but at what cost?

Original article here.