Stories about Armenia from March, 2008
Caucasus: Eurovision Song Contest Fever… and Politics
It might be considered a little cheesy, but the South Caucasus takes participation in the annual Eurovision song contest very seriously indeed. Not only does the competition represent the region moving closer to Europe, but given that this year has proven to be a political turbulent one it might also provide people here with a welcome break from rigged votes and post-election unrest.
Armenia: Alternative Religious Message
Unzipped posts a summary of a talk show broadcast earlier today on a religious radio station in Yerevan which featured an Armenian priest criticizing both the government and the opposition for the situation in the country. Regretting the media blackout which has accompanied the state of emergency, the priest found...
Armenia: Politics & Eurovision
Spectacular Self-Indulgence reports that the venue for yesterday's final to select Armenia's entry into the Eurovision Song Contest was changed because of the current state of emergency in the country. The blog is furious, but more about interfering with a Eurovision final than the political situation.
Armenia: Constitutional Court Ruling
Unzipped comments on last night's ruling by the constitutional upholding the results of the 19 February presidential election in Armenia. The blog says that it is not surprised at the verdict and alleges the court came under political pressure to reject opposition candidate Levon Ter-Petrossian's appeal.
Armenia: Circumventing Censorship
Nazarian posts a list of pro-opposition blogs and web sites currently circumventing restrictions on the media in place since the state of emergency was declared in Armenia.
Turkey: Armenian Hanging Clarification
Blogian posts a clarification on his site following information that the photos depicting what were initially described as the hanging of Armenians in Erzurum were in fact the hanging of Turks by Armenian bandits. Nevertheless, the blog still maintains that historical ethnic hatreds continue to be promoted in Turkey.
Armenia: Hypnosis & 2013
Armenia Now comments on statements from the Armenian Prosecutor General that opposition supporters had been “hypnotized” by former president, Levon Ter-Petrossian. The entry on the new blog also questions various actions and statements by opposition, government and international representatives and hopes that a leader worthy to lead the country will...
Armenia: Women's Day Demonstration
Unzipped reports that a demonstration was held today in Yerevan to mark International Woman's Day by approximately 30 women relatives of some or all of the victims that died in last week's clash between the opposition and authorities.
Armenia: Internet Domains Suspended
Nazarian comments on moves taken by the National Security Service (NSS) in Armenia to suspend certain .am internet domain names during the current post-election state of emergency. The blog says that as critical as he is of the United States, it is hard to imagine that the FBI or CIA...
Armenia: Conspiracy Theory
Archuk's Blog argues that the reappearance of former president Levon Ter-Petrossian to the political scene in Armenia as well as post-election unrest is linked to Kosovo's independence and attempts to find a solution to the longstanding conflict with Azerbaijan over the breakaway territory of Nagorno Karabakh. The blog sees the...
Armenia: Mourning
Nazarian joins bloggers marking 7-9 March days of mourning on the Internet for those killed during last weekend's post-election riot in Armenia.
Armenia: Souless State Department
The Armenia Now blog remarks on the arrival of U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza in Armenia in an attempt to defuse tensions after last weekend's post-election riot which left eight dead. The blog criticizes Bryza for his comments to president-elect Serge Sargsyan.
Turkey: Raising Murderers
Following on from photographs of young children watching mock hangings of Armenians in the Turkish city of Erzurum, Blogian comments on concerns expressed by some Turkish columnists that the nation is “raising murders.”
Armenia: Elections
Registan has posted an entry on the post-election situation in Armenia. The pioneering blog on Central Asia also touches upon the recent clashes on the front line between Armenia and Azerbaijan and appears to conclude that the overall situation is unpredictable.
Armenia: King Without a Crown
Faced with restrictions introduced under the current state of emergency in the country, the Armenia Now online weekly magazine has started up its own blog in an attempt to circumvent attempts to limit information to official sources only. In one of the first posts, an anonymous blogger compares the opposition...
Armenia: Reflections on Political Unrest
Blogian reflects on the recent political unrest in Armenia. The blog blames both the government and the opposition for clashes at the weekend which left at least eight people dead and criticizes the mindset which now exists that has turned Armenians against each other.
Turkey: Mock Armenian Hangings
Blogian posts some disturbing photographs of the celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the Turkish liberation of Erzurum. Claimed by both Armenians and Turks, the city featured re-enactments of the hanging of Armenian bandits which were viewed by children. The blogger notes that even nationalist Turkish newspapers were critical of...
Armenia: Samizdat & the Internet
After a 20-day state of emergency was declared in Armenia when clashes between security services and the opposition broke out on the streets of the capital, access to the media has been severely restricted. According to presidential decree, local media outlets can now only publish official news and political propaganda is banned. However, the situation has created an unprecedented opportunity for bloggers to move in to fill the gap.
Armenia: Eight Dead, State of Emergency Declared
Armenian bloggers respond to post-election turmoil and blood shed, after the political comeback of former Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrossian in the 19 February 2008 presidential election, led to violent clashes between police, soldiers and opposition supporters.
Armenia: Censorship Concerns
Blogian makes another post raising concerns about censorship and freedom of speech following the declaration of a state of emergency in Armenia. The blog already notes that various online media outlets are limiting or ceasing reporting on events in Armenia as a result, but wonders how blogs will be affected....
Armenia: Riots
The Armenian Observer updates its readers on the latest developments in the confrontation between the opposition and authorities in the Armenian capital. The blog reports that molotov cocktails are being used and police are firing into the air.
