Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from March, 2007
Russia, Georgia: On Beggars
Darkness at Noon (Moscow-based) and Music and Life – Everywhere! (currently, in Tbilisi) reflect on street beggars and ways of dealing with them.
Armenia off balance: Government resigns over PM’s death
“Andranik Margaryan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, the chairman of Republican Party of Armenia died of heart stroke in his apartment on March 25, at 13:20.” (E-channel) Andranik Margaryan, the longest serving Prime-Minister of Armenia (in power since May 12, 2000), head of the ruling Republican party and one of...
Armenia: Prime Minister Dies
Oneworld Multimedia reports that the prime minister of Armenia has died.
Armenia: The Water's Fine
Notes From Hareinik says that Armenian mineral water is probably perfectly safe and says that the recent US ban on Jermuk brand water may have been politically motivated.
Armenia: Real Estate Up
The Armenian Economist reports that Armenia's real estate sector boomed again in 2006.
Kazakhstan: Kondopoga Trace
neweurasia's Adam reports on an apparent outbreak of ethnic violence in Kazakhstan between Kazakhs and Chechens, a country that likes to pride itself on ethnic and religious harmony.
Armenia: Aylentrank Demo
The CRD/TI Armenian Election Blog reports on this weekend's Aylentrank rally in Yerevan.
Tajikistan: Navruz in the Provinces
Tajikistan Journal shares photos of Navruz celebrations out in the provinces.
Mongolia: Knock-Offs
Alexa writes about name brand knock-offs in Mongolia, speculating that perhaps their popularity will build brand loyalty that will lead to success for genuine articles in the future.
Kazakhstan: Biden's Letter to Nazarbayev
Registan.net publishes the text of a letter from US Senator and presidential candidate Joseph Biden to Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev that the senator's office says should not appear in the press.
Uzbekistan: Blog Roundup
Tolkun Umaraliev surveys the Uzbek blogosphere.
Kazakhstan: Nauryz Photos
This week's Friday photos from Kazakhstan at neweurasia are of Nauryz celebrations in Almaty.
Prosperous Armenia party everywhere!!!
As early as “@ 2007-03-21 09:07:00″ Narjan (ru) reported that the word “DOD” is charcoaled on the wall of presidential palace in Yerevan, which was promptly cleaned up (ru) to spoil the joy of the bloggers, who nevertheless appreciated the efficiency of cleaning works. Later on 22nd March via CRD...
Uzbekistan: Outside Looking In
Ambar discusses desperately trying to feel part of the Uzbek family she married into, but constantly feeling like an outsider.
Tajikistan: Chopping -ov
Vadim reports that Tajikistan's president wants to remove the Russian -ov from his last name, changing it to Rakhmon. Further, he wants a general return in Tajikistan to traditional national toponymy.
Armenia: Yezidi Election Divisions
The CRD/TI Armenia Election Monitor 2007 says that Armenia's largest minority group, the Yezidis, are divided over the upcoming parliamentary election.
Kyrgyzstan: Military Mars Navruz
Gene Daniels says that the heavy police and military presence on the streets of Bishkek marred Kyrgyzstan's Navruz celebrations. There is speculation that the president ordered the heavy security presence to dissuade his opponents from staging protests.
Central Asia: Celebrating Navruz
Sue Sypko says that celebrating a holiday like Navruz is tough to do for a group because everyone disagrees on how to spell the holiday's name, how to decorate, and what food to serve.
Russia, Central Asia: Interview With Nathan Hamm
Andy of Siberian Light interviews Nathan Hamm of Registan (and also the Central Asia and Caucasus Regional Editor for Global Voices Online).
Armenia: Economic Developments
Armenian Blog Review reports on various developments in the Armenian economy, including a natural gas pipeline linking Iran and Armenia and poor localization for Windows XP, as discussed on Armenian blogs.
Kyrgyzstan: Svetlana Nazarenko
Tolkun Umaraliev reports that Svetlana Nazarenko, a native of Bishkek who is the lead singer of the Russian band Gorod 312 (ru), has been awarded the honorary title “Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic.”
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