Latest posts by Onnik Krikorian from December, 2007
Caucasus: 2007 Blog Review
With 2008 less than a day away at time of writing, it seems only appropriate to take a look back at the blogging highlights in the Caucasus for 2007. Certainly, although blogging is still largely underdeveloped, the year has seen some major highlights, especially with regards to stories that also...
Armenia: Traffic Rules
With traffic congestion now adding to the insanity that is usually driving in Armenia, Raffi K at Life in Armenia offers his readers some tongue-in-cheek rules for motorists. Ironically, they are pretty much right on the mark.
Georgia: Election Polls
Comparing the situation with Armenia and Azerbaijan, Christine Quirk at Asking Tough Questions in Tough Places comments on the value that opinion polls might have during elections in the South Caucasus. The former head of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Azerbaijan turned political analyst says such polls serve a...
Georgia: Voter Lists
TOL Georgia says that in just four years the electorate has apparently grown by 2 million people even despite negative population growth. The blog says that in advance of the January presidential election, serious concerns should be raised about the voters list.
Armenia: Come on-a My House for New Year
Armenian Food reminds its readers of the 1951 hit by Rosemary Clooney, aunt of actor George Clooney, Come On-a My House. Written by two ethnic Armenians, one of which was American-Armenian writer William Saroyan, the blog says the song typifies the lavish tables that will be center stage for Armenian...
Armenia: Corrupt Politics
Martuni or Bust reminds it readers that the former judge now turned radical opposition activist as the February 2008 presidential election in Armenia draws closer has a few skeletons in his own closet. In particular, the blog quotes an interview conducted with this author on concerns that the judge in...
Georgia: Shakira in Tbilisi
After finding myself without the Internet at home for three days, I feel gutted that I missed out on Shakira's free concert two days ago in Tbilisi, Georgia. Writing on my Oneworld Multimedia blog, had I known I would have considered visiting Armenia's neighbor to the north for the concert.
Georgia: Opinion Polls
With the presidential election in Georgia two weeks away, Social Science in the Caucasus, looks at the reliability of opinion polls in the country. The blog says that opinion polls from every side are confusing the electorate and there is an urgent need for transparency.
Georgia: Sycophantic Poetry
Writing on his blog, This is Tbilisi Calling, the BBC's Matthew Collin recounts following Georgian president's motorcade around the country as part of his campaign for re-election in January's vote. The journalist and blogger reproduces a poem written especially for Mikhail Saakashvili by one elderly voter discovered en route.
Armenia: Aeroflot
Now that airline ticket prices have increased in Armenia, one ethnic Armenian from the Diaspora finally journeyed back home for Christmas via Moscow on Aeroflot. Raffi K at Life in Armenia says that avoiding the terrible service on Aeroflot is best advised.
Armenia: Campaign Politics
With the presidential election in Armenia less than two months away, The Armenian Observer is impressed by how seriously one candidate is taking campaigning for the vote.
Armenia: Yoga
The Armenian Patchwork posts photographs taken at a new Yoga center in Yerevan, the Armenian capital.
Armenia: Christmas Comes Early
The Armenian Observer says that while he can understand why international contacts and friends are wishing him Merry Xmas, he is irritated that Armenians are doing so as well. While the West celebrates Christmas on 25th December, Armenians will not do so until 6 January.
Armenia: Burning Bridges
Archuk's blog comments on recent hearings in the Armenian National Assembly on relations with Turkey and considers that focusing on potential financial reparations does more harm than good in the quest for “historical justice.” The blogger remembers that even a famous Armenian freedom fighter killed during the Karabakh conflict concluded...
Georgia: Election Pressures
TOL Georgia reports on allegations that students are being coerced into publicly supporting the Georgian president, Mikhail Saakashvili, ahead of January's vote. According to a personal source, students are allegedly being threatened with expulsion from their colleges if they do not comply.
Georgia: Analysts, Oligarchs & Russians
TOL Georgia comments on a recent analysis by analyst Vladimir Socor criticizing opposition presidential candidate and businessman, Badri Patarkatsishvili. The blog believes that Socor is incorrect in his assessment and has overlooked serious concerns that the January presidential election in Georgia will not be free and fair.
Armenia: Action Puts Bloggers In Media Spotlight
In countries such as Armenia where the mainstream broadcast media is firmly under the control of government-connected businessmen and/or officials, while the traditional print and online media largely reflects the opposition in the country, there is no doubt that blogs have an important role to play in the dissemination of...
Armenia: Hiking in the Mountains
Armenia and me posts a photograph and an account of a recent hiking trip in the snow covered mountains north of the Armenian capital.
Armenia: Election Differences
The Armenian Observer features a guest post by a Swiss ex-pat worker in Armenia who compares how elections are conducted in Europe with how they are conducted here in the South Caucasus.
Armenia: Another Blogger Outraged at Azerbaijan Event
Blogian weighs into the controversy that surrounded the opening of a Days of Azerbaijan funded by the British Embassy in Yerevan earlier this week. Supporting the action of those bloggers who protested the event in person, Simon says that such an event is unthinkable on the second anniversary of the...
Georgia: Authoritarian Tendencies
Resistance Georgia comments on the latest report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) which concludes that Georgia is veering towards authoritarianism. The pro-opposition blog thanks the ICG for using such words when the international community is reluctant to do so.