· February, 2008

Stories about Armenia from February, 2008

Armenia: Choice Between Two Evils

  10 February 2008

Blogger Artashes Boyajian expresses his concern with educated young Armenians planning to vote for either the prime minister, Serge Sargsyan, or former president, Levon Ter-Petrossian.

Armenia: Observing the Observers

  10 February 2008

Unzipped casts doubts on the credibility and neutrality of international observers monitoring the 19 February presidential election in Armenia. The blog says the way international observers initially reacted to Georgia’s recent presidential election has already damaged their reputation.

Armenia: Blog Top Ten

  5 February 2008

Now that a local radio station is interested in blogging, Global Voices Author Artur Papyan recently asked one of Armenia's most experienced bloggers, Kornelij, to compile a list of his top ten Armenian blogs. As The Armenian Observer, Papyan posts the albeit subjective assessment of blogs in Armenian, Russian and...

Armenia: Pop & Politics

  5 February 2008

BBC and Moscow Times journalist Matthew Collin reports on the use of local pop singers to campaign in support of the governmental favorite, prime minister Serge Sargsyan, ahead of the 19 February presidential election in Armenia. This is Tbilisi Calling says that while the authorities might be utilizing the stars...

Armenia: Decisive Rally

  5 February 2008

Unzipped comments on this coming Saturday's pre-election campaign rally by former president and candidate for the 19 February presidential vote, Levon Ter-Petrossian. The blogger says it is being billed as a “decisive” and expects the opposition to finally unite.

Caucasus: Political Roundup

  4 February 2008

Marilisa Lorusso's blog posts another weekly roundup of the latest political developments in the South Caucasus. This week the blog examines the latest events in the area of relations between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia with Russia.

Azerbaijan: Cultural Destruction

  4 February 2008

The Djulfa Blog posts photographs of what it says is evidence that the destruction of an ancient Armenian cemetery in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan was orchestrated and planned.

Armenia: Russian Railway Deal

  4 February 2008

Following the transfer of the Armenian railroad system to a Russian company, The Armenian Economist comments on the transaction and says that the railway is in desperate need of funding. However, the blog adds, why did it take so long to happen?

Armenia: On The Campaign Trail

  4 February 2008

With a little over two weeks to go until Armenia's presidential election, my Armenia Election Monitor 2008 posts photographs and an account of one of the largest opposition rallies held during the campaign period to date. However, with the election now entering a crucial stage, all attention is on whether...

Armenia: Hollywood & Reality

  3 February 2008

Going Home says that films such as Speed might seem believable in Hollywood, but the reality in Armenia is somewhat different. In particular, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, the blogger cites traffic, law enforcement and corruption in the country as just some of the reasons why nobody would ever plant a bomb on...

Armenia: Effects of Corruption

  3 February 2008

Bruce Tasker, an expat worker currently attempting to claim damages from the World Bank for blacklisting, continues to allege widespread high-level corruption in government and the international money-lending organization. His Blowing the World Bank Whistle now takes a look at the effects of that alleged corruption.

Armenia: Revolution in the Making?

  3 February 2008

Archuk's blog saysthat the return of Levon Ter-Petrossian to the political scene in Armenia for the 19 February presidential election is part of some external plan to normalize and stabilize the South Caucasus . The blogger asks “Who woke up Levon Ter-Petrossian?”

Armenia: On the Campaign Trail

  3 February 2008

Saturday saw the prime minister and still presidential favorite campaign on my doorstop. My Armenia Election Monitor 2008 has an account as well as photos from the free concert staged by Armenia's top pop stars, including this year's Eurovision Song Contest contestant, Sirusho in his support.

Armenia: Blogging Congressmen

  2 February 2008

The Armenian-American Political Action Committee, a new U.S.-based Diasporan lobbying group, has started its own blog. Unlike most Armenian blogs, however, those writing for it are two U.S. Congressmen, Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg. The first hasn't started posting yet, but Knollenberg has an entry on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Armenia: Asylum

  1 February 2008

Unzipped raises the case of a 16-year old Armenian asylum seeker in the UK and asks if anyone can shed more light on the case.

Armenia: Corrupt Justice

  1 February 2008

Nazarian, a blogger supporting the candidacy of former president Levon Ter-Petrossian in the 19 February election in Armenia, says justice is corrupt and cannot be taken seriously in Armenia. In particular, the blogger cites the case of four Ter-Petrossian activists who have been detained on suspicion of beating a heckler...

Armenia: Political Satire

  1 February 2008

With the media becoming as polarized as society is ahead of the presidential election due to be held in Armenia on 19 February, The Armenian Observer posts a satirical cartoon that the blogger believes represents the state of the local press.

Armenia: Aryan Boycott

  1 February 2008

Unzipped: Gay Armenia comments on the announcement by the ultra-nationalist Union of Armenian Aryans that they will not be supporting any candidate in the coming presidential election. The fact that the group says it can't find any common ideological ground with the choices on offer is a positive sign, the...

Armenia: Forgotten Circus

  1 February 2008

Leaving behind the “political circus” that is election time in Armenia, The Armenian Patchwork visits the real one which is attempting to make a comeback. The photo blog posts photographs and an account.

Armenia: On the (Unofficial) Campaign Trail

  1 February 2008

Thursday marked the annual celebration of St. Vardanants day in Armenia, but this being pre-election period it also represented yet another opportunity for the prime minister to enjoy a media moment or two in support of his presidential bid. My Armenia Election Monitor 2008 has photographs and an account of...