Stories about Armenia from March, 2008
Armenia: Life Continues…
The Armenian Patchwork reports that life continues in Yerevan even though a state of emergency has been declared. Indeed, the blog posts photographs of the opening of a new Beatles’ themed bar and a rock concert by a local band in a club whose enclosed cafe was used by the...
Armenia: Moving Forward?
Unzipped comments on an op-ed co-penned by president-elect Serge Sargsyan and former parliamentary speaker Artur Baghdasarian published by the influential Washington Post. The piece is in response to another op-ed published in the same newspaper by opposition leader and former president Levon Ter-Petrossian.
Azerbaijan: Karabakh Resolution
Archuk's blog comments on the success of an Azerbaijani-sponsored resolution adopted by the United Nations condemning the Armenian occupation of territory inside the republic and recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The Armenian Observer also carries the news.
Armenia: I am Karabakhtsi
In light of divisions between ethnic Armenians from Armenia proper and the self-declared [Armenian] Republic of Nagorno Karabakh which were exploited and further encouraged by the opposition during last month's presidential election in the country, Archuk's blog proudly displays a banner stating that he is a Karabakhtsi. The idea for...
Armenia: Official Response
Unzipped reports that there has been an official response to video circulating which shows security services shooting directly in front of them rather than into the air as the authorities claim. The blog notes that although prosecutors are seeking independent verification, they are already casting doubts on the authenticity of...
Armenia: Ter-Petrossian Press Conference
The Armenian Observer posts a video of a press conference held by radical opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian currently under de facto house arrest. The blog also provides a summary of what the former president said.
Armenia: Media Restrictions Eased?
The Armenian Observer reports that restrictions on the media under the current stage of emergency might now be eased. News reports indicate that because there have been few violations of the emergency regulations, the outgoing president might allow media outlets to return to near-normal operation.
Armenia: Economic Fallout
The Armenian Economist examines the possible economic impact of post-election unrest in Armenia. The blog likens the situation to that following the disputed 1996 presidential election and says that depreciation of the dram might occur.
Armenia: Political Ranting
The Armenian Odar posts some thoughts on the bloody aftermath of the 19 February presidential election in Armenia. The blog says that while government propaganda and control of the media is sickening and the situation needs to change, it is not convinced that the radical opposition led by former president...
Armenia: Former President Surrounded
Unzipped posts some remarkable photographs of former president and radical opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian surrounded by security forces after police dispersed the overnight demonstration which had occupied Yerevan's Liberty Square.
Armenia: You Tube Accessible
My Armenia Election Monitor 2008 reports that YouTube is no longer blocked and is once again accessible in Armenia. The news comes on the first Online Free Expression Day launched by Reporters Sans Frontieres to protest internet censorship.
Armenia: Human Rights Protection Questioned
ArmeniaNow comments on the existence of a video which clearly shows that security forces fired directly ahead of them while advancing rather than in the air as the authorities claim. The video raises some urgent questions about democracy and human rights in Armenia, the blog concludes.
Caucasus: Ali and Nino
The Armenian Odar Reads posts a review of Ali and Nino by Kurban Said. The book, now considered a masterpiece after its rediscovery long after its publication in 1937, is a love story and centers around Nino, a Georgian, and Ali, an Azeri. The book is also considered an interesting...
Armenia: Blogging Revolution
Hrag Vartanian takes another look at the idea that blogging is the new Samizdat, adding that art blogs also have a role to play in challenging dominant official narratives. Meanwhile, Profy also deals with the same subject and says that blogs are a necessity in countries such as Armenia.
Armenaker Kamilion
With the re-emergence of samizdat pro-opposition propaganda via the Internet during the current state of emergency in Armenia, Armenaker Kamilion is translating and posting the material in English.
Armenia: Serge Sargsyan Online Q&A
With the opposition seemingly winning the information war on the Internet during the current state of emergency in Armenia, my Armenia Election Monitor 2008 posts details on government attempts to fight back. On Thursday 15 March, president-elect Serge Sargsyan will respond to questions submitted via the Internet on his own...
Armenia: YouTube Blocked
Various blogs report on the blocking of YouTube under current state of emergency restrictions in Armenia. Hrag Vartanian asks perhaps rhetorically why this has happened, Blogoscoped posts an email and screenshot from a reader in Armenia confirming it has happened, while Blogian says that it at least proves the Internet...
Armenia: Baby Boom
Blogian says that with emigration and low birth rates common for Armenia in recent years he is happy that at least nine of his relatives are expecting babies. Although this means more expenditures in terms of presents for his relatives, the blog says that the news is very important and...
Armenia: Protest Internet Censorship
Given that various media sites as well as YouTube have been blocked in Armenia since the declaration of a state of emergency in the country last weekend, my Armenia Election Monitor 2008 says that Reporters Sans Frontieres’ first International Online Free Expression Day on 12 March is somewhat timely.
Caucasus: Internal & External Problems
Marilisa Lorusso's blog rounds up the latest political and geopolitical developments from the South Caucasus and says that all three republics are preoccupied with seeking solutions to unresolved internal and external problems. The blog also notes that despite state of emergency restrictions on the media, activity on the Internet continues...
Armenia: Video Evidence
Unzipped posts a video apparently proving that police fired directly at protesters during last week's clashes between the opposition and authorities in downtown Yerevan. I say “apparently” because as YouTube has been blocked as part of state of emergency restrictions on the media, it can't be viewed in Armenia.
