Latest posts by Onnik Krikorian from January, 2008
Armenia: Ter Petrosian's Manifesto
The Armenian Observer takes a more in-depth and objective look at the pre-election campaign manifesto of the first and former president of the Republic of Armenia, Levon Ter Petrosian.
Georgia: Final Results
Writing for his blog, This is Tbilisi Calling, the BBC's Matthew Collin says that the official results for Saturday's presidential election have finally been declared. As had been reported in the international media anyway, Mikhail Saakashvili won a second term in office, but Collin says that it is doubtful that...
Armenia: Election Manifesto
With less than two weeks to go before the start of the official pre-election campaign period for next month's presidential election in Armenia, Nazarian comments on the election manifesto of one of the candidates, former president Levon Ter Petrosian.
Georgia: Game Over
Asking Tough Questions in Tough Places analyzes the outcome of Saturday's presidential election in Georgia. Although the former head of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Azerbaijan says it looks as though Saakashvili did win “legitimately” on election day itself, there is enough reason for the West to demand that...
Georgia: Saakashvili is Satisfied
Following the positive verdict on Saturday's presidential election in Georgia by international observers, TOL Georgia says that the re-elected president, Mikhail Saakashvili, is more than satisfied. However, the blog wonders what would have had to happen in order for the observers to conclude that the vote didn't meet international standards...
Georgia: Parallel Vote Tabulation
Resistance Georgia, the blog of pro-opposition human rights lawyer and activist Anna Dolidze, posts the results of parallel voter tabulation by the Georgian International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED).
Georgia: 9 mm Rugers instead of AK-47s
Following on from international observers concluding that Georgia's presidential election largely met international standards with no significant irregularities, Campanastan concludes that this “probably means the ballot box monitors carried 9 mm Rugers instead of AK-47s.”
Georgia: Kicking Russian Ass
With international observers calling Saturday's snap presidential election in Georgia “broadly democratic”, Publius Pundit delights in “kicking a little Russian ass.” Now, the blog concludes, it's time for Georgia to be accepted into NATO.
Georgia: Election Concerns
Artashes98 expresses concern regarding the verdict from the international community on Saturday's presidential election in Georgia. The blogger says that had the candidate of power been someone not considered pro-Western, the conclusion of the OSCE/ODIHR monitors would have been very different indeed.
Armenia: Christmas
While all attention is focused on Georgia after its early presidential election was held yesterday, The Armenian Patchwork reminds its readers that today is also Armenian Christmas and posts some photographs.
Georgia: Presidential Election Update
Although the international media is now reporting a victory for the incumbent, Mikhail Saakashvili, in yesterday's presidential election in Georgia, there has so far been very little reaction to the news in the blogosphere. This contrasts strikingly with how bloggers worldwide reacted to the clashes between opposition supporters and riot...
Georgia: Presidential Election Poll
Asking Tough Questions in Tough Places, the blog of a former National Democratic Institute (NDI) Country Director says that the latest poll commissioned by Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili looks credible. However, she says that while a Saakashvili victory looks likely after today's vote, he should be doing better.
Georgia: Calm Before The Storm?
On the eve of tomorrow's presidential election, TOL Georgia reports that the situation is calm in the country. However, after raising many concerns about the pre-election campaign in this and another entry, the blogger asks rhetorically, is the election free and fair?
Armenia: Honesty
Shooosh at Life in Armenia says she was surprised to discover that when she lost her wallet in Yerevan it was found and turned in. Despite many bad stories about ethnic Armenians from the Diaspora being ripped off when they visit the country, she concludes that there are honest people...
Nagorno Karabakh: Ultimatum
Blogian reacts harshly to news that the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev, has issued an ultimatum to ethnic Armenians living in the breakaway and self-declared Republic of Nagorno Karabakh — submit once again to Azerbaijani authority or leave.
Turkey: Armenian History
Blogian comments on news that a new ballet based on an old Armenian tale of love and tragedy will be written and performed in Turkey. However, the Armenian blogger says that while he supports Armenian-Turkish reconciliation, he is concerned by what appears to be a major historical inaccuracy written in...
Armenia: New Year's Eve
The Armenian Patchwork posts photographs looking for scenes “that represent our New Year’s spirit” a day before 2008 was ushered in.
Georgia: Happy New Year
The MFR Photoblog posts pictures of revellers seeing in the New Year in the Georgian capital. The blogger says that more than 15,000 Georgians took part in the celebration held in Tbilisi's Freedom Square.
Azerbaijan: Benazir Bhutto
Marilisa Lorusso's blog sounds a warning following the recent assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. In Azerbaijan, for example, the potential rise of Islamic fundamentalism is very real which is why the blog says there has been very little discussion of other possibilities for who might be responsible for her...