Latest posts by Onnik Krikorian from April, 2009
Georgia: Opposition protests on hold, new concerns emerge
With the Russian military reportedly mobilizing within striking range of Georgia, many online commentators are becoming increasingly worried by the tactics employed by the opposition as it continues its campaign to force the president, Mikhail Saakashvili, to resign.
Azerbaijan: Freedom of speech, censorship and expulsions
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines comments on news that a student activist has been expelled from his university. The blog says that the move is most probably connected to his political activities and wonders when the cycle of repression and intimidation will end.
Azerbaijan: Operatic Sheki
Sheki, Azerbaijan says that while the government has started to publicize the history and culture of her country abroad, there is still much to discover. For example, she reports, the first female opera composer in the Orient was not only Azeri, but also came from her home town.
Armenia: Obama, Turkey and… Unzipped
Unzipped comments on recent reports that Armenia and Turkey might be close to finalizing the first stage of a deal to normalize relations. In particular, the blog gives its own opinion on how the long-running dispute over the massacre and deportation of as many as 1.5 million Armenians from the...
Georgia: Concerns emerge over opposition protests
As the opposition blocks off main roads in Tbilisi, some bloggers and other online commentators are starting to question the tactics employed by protesters in the Georgian capital. Nevertheless, most are thankful that the protests have not resulted in major clashes.
Azerbaijan: Turkish music banned?
Following reported progress towards normalized ties between Yerevan and Ankara, In Mutatione Fortitudo comments on unverified pro-government news reports and blog posts in Armenia which quote questionable sources alleging that Turkish music has been banned on Azerbaijani TV and radio. The blog, based in Baku, says that nothing could be...
Georgia: Opposition protests enter fifth day
Despite dwindling numbers over the weekend, the opposition in Georgia has once again rallied an estimated 20,000 supporters in the capital, Tbilisi. Although well down on the 50,000 that demonstrated on Thursday, the number of those openly calling for the resignation of the Georgian president, Mikhail Saakashvili, did at least match those taking to the streets on Friday.
Georgia: Civil disobedience
As a new wave of anti-government protests continue in Tbilisi, Georgian human rights lawyer Anna Dolidze explains why she believes a campaign of civil disobedience is necessary. In a second entry posted on her Resistance Georgia blog, the former head of the Young Georgian Lawyer's Association comments on last night's...
Georgia: Tbilisi protest update
Radiobedniereba’s Blog reports on the incident which occurred last night outside the Georgian parliament. The blog says controversy surrounds surveillance camera footage of 50 men destroying computers and sound equipment belonging to the opposition.
Georgia: Opposition rally attendances wane, tensions increase
Yesterday, thousands of demonstrators once again rallied in Tbilisi for a third day of protests demanding the resignation of the Georgian president, Mikhail Saakashvili. Bloggers continue to report on events as they unfold.
Georgia: Citizen media and the Tbilisi protests
Writing on the Frontline Club blog, Global Voices Online's Caucasus editor says that the online coverage of two days of protests in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, by student and professional journalists has set new standards for citizen media in the South Caucasus.
Georgia: Opposition ultimatum passes
An hour after an opposition ultimatum for the Georgian president to resign went unheeded, thousands of people continue to protest in the country's capital, Tbilisi. Bloggers report from the scene.
Georgia: Keeping an eye on Tbilisi protests
Frontline Club blogger Guy Degen posts an update on the opposition protests in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. The media blogger also is also posting live updates from his mobile phone on Twitter (text), Utter (audio) and Qik (video).
Georgia: Opposition protests in Tbilisi (Updated)
Twenty years after clashes with Soviet troops outside the main government building in Tbilisi left 20 dead, the Georgian capital today braced itself for possible problems as the country's opposition staged its first major rally since the August war with Russia. Bloggers are posting from the ground.
Georgia: Tbilisi braced for mass protests
This is Tbilisi Calling, the blog of Al Jazeera English's Matthew Collin, posts video and a report on tomorrow's planned opposition rally in the Georgian capital.
Georgia: April 9 protest coverage
As part of an online project, the GIPA Journalism School Blog will be covering tomorrow's planned opposition protest in Tbilisi. In the first post, Sako's Blog says that most residents of the Georgian capital are unhappy with the president, Mikhail Saakashvili, but will not necessarily participate in the protests.
Azerbaijan: The view from Baku
Following U.S. President Barack Obama's speech in Ankara on Armenian-Turkish relations and the need to resolve the conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh, Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines sums up and comments on the view from Baku.
Azerbaijan: Reflections on Obama visit
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines hails Obama's recent visit to Turkey as a success and says that despite threats from Azerbaijan, a country still effective at war with Armenia, no retaliatory actions have been taken yet. The blog concludes that the visit could yet spell real change for the Caucasus.
Armenia-Turkey: Mixed reaction to Obama speech in Ankara
Mindful of the delicate state of negotiations between Armenia and Turkey to resolve the past, U.S. President Barack Obama avoided referring to the massacre and deportation of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire as genocide during his visit to Turkey this week. Reaction from bloggers has been mixed.
Turkey: Obama disappoints Armenian-Americans
Writing on his Frontline Club blog, Global Voices Online's Caucasus editor says that today's visit by U.S. President Barack Obama to Turkey is likely to disappoint many Armenian-American supporters. However, the blog adds, they shouldn't be surprised.
Azerbaijan: Grumpy old troll
A little over a month after setting up her blog, Scary Azeri in Suburbs responds to a troll who takes exception to what she writes. The blogger is nonetheless happy that even angry readers means more traffic.
