Latest posts by Onnik Krikorian from June, 2008
Azerbaijan: Media Concerns
Writing on AFP's Correspondent blog, the news organization's Caucasus Bureau Chief, Michael Mainville, laments the state of the media in Azerbaijan. The post recognizes the pressures and restrictions in place on local journalists in the oil-rich country and comments on the case of Agil Khalil who has been recognized by...
Caucasus: Religious Practices Update
Social Science in the Caucasus provides an update on its survey of religious practices in the South Caucasus. The blog of the Caucasus Resource Research Centers (CRRC) says that women place more significance on the importance of religion in their lives than men.
Armenia: Eurovision Metal
Unzipped: Gay Armenia comments on rumors that Armenian-American rock band System of a Down (SOAD) are interested in representing Armenia in next year's Eurovision Song Contest. However, there is also speculation that the band are interested in using the contest to gain exposure to campaign for Genocide recognition. The blog...
Armenia: European Media Demands
Following last week's landmark ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, Unzipped comments on the importance of the judgment for the embattled A1 Plus TV station which was deprived of its broadcasting frequency by the authorities in 2002. The blog says that pressure on the government to allow it...
Caucasus: Religious Practices
Social Science in the Caucasus examines data on religious practices in the region. The blog of the Caucasus Resource Research Centers (CRRC) uses its own data to assess the importance of religion in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. According to the survey from last year, respondents in Georgia were more numerous...
Caucasus: European Integration
Azerbaijan – a part of Europe says that it hopes the countries of the South Caucasus will be close to integrating with Europe in 10 years. However, the blog concludes, it requires a change in the mindset of the local populations and how they think.
Armenia: Higher Education Blog
Armenian Higher Education & Sciences has been established by Aryana Petrova, an education consultant and lecturer. The blog should provide a unique insight into the education sector in Armenia and starts the ball rolling with posts on the appointment of Spartak Seyranian as the new education minister.
Armenia: Regional Supermarket
Blogrel comments on news that a Yerevan-based supermarket chain has opened a store outside of the capital. The blog wonders how such a development will affect small stores and market traders in the regions.
Azerbaijan: Mulberries
Sheki, Azerbaijan reports that everyone is getting ready for mulberry season in the country. The blog says that in addition to being quite tasty, they are also healthy and excellent as a source of vitamins as well helping strengthen the immune system.
Armenia: FUNarchists
Seetizen, the blog of a youth activist, comments on the approach taken by a new youth initiative in the country. The blog says that by encouraging young Armenians to develop ideas about changing their situation, HENQ offers an alternative to the approach favored by those initiatives supporting the radical opposition.
Armenia: Racist Rhetoric?
Blogian raises concern over what it considers to be racist rhetoric used by Armenia's first president, Levon Ter-Petrossian, at a radical opposition demonstration staged Friday in downtown Yerevan. Meanwhile, The Armenian Observer and my The Caucasus Knot carries more coverage of the unsanctioned rally.
Georgia: Abkhaz Tensions
Steady State comments on how the media in Georgia reports on continuing tensions with Russia over the breakaway region of Abkhazia. The blog implies that the media is being used to encourage such tensions and says that if there was any real interest in peace then a different approach would...
Georgia: Post-Election Concerns
Steady State comments on the evaluation of the recent parliamentary election in Georgia by the country's human rights ombudsperson as the “worst in the country’s history.” The blog also examines the position of international observers and the United States on the vote and raises it concern with some of the...
Armenia: New Youth Initiative Action
The Armenian Observer reports on the second action staged by the newly formed HENQ Youth Initiative while my The Caucasian Knot also covers the flash mob staged today in the Armenian capital and includes photographs.
Armenia: Children's Political Park
Unzipped comments on the latest move taken by the authorities to prevent tomorrow's planned rally by the radical opposition in the Armenian capital. In order to prevent supporters of the first president from assembling in Yerevan's Liberty Square, a children's park has been set up. The blog casts doubts on...
Armenia: Ukrainian Color Revolutionary Visit
And Nothing Else Matters [RU] comments on a recent visit by a prominent architect of the Ukrainian Orange Revolution to Armenia, highlighting the fact that the activist's own blog shows Dmirtri Potekhin in the country. In a second post, the blog says that consultations were held with the leader of...
Armenia: Internet, Telecoms Services Improve
The Armenian Observer says it is happy now that the newly rebranded Beeline company is offering ADSL Internet services at $40 a month. It also reports that 3G mobile telecommunications services have finally arrived in Armenia.
Armenia: A1 Plus European Court Ruling
Six years after it was effectively removed from the airwaves, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has finally ruled in favor of the A1 Plus TV Station. Known for its criticism of the authorities, A1 Plus failed to win a tender for its own broadcasting frequency in April 2002.
Azerbaijan: Media Campaigner Assaulted
This is Tbilisi Calling, the blog of journalist Matthew Collin, reports that a media rights campaigner has been pistol-whipped and hospitalized in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku. The incident happened after police raided a party celebrating the 80th anniversary of the birth of Che Guevara.
Armenia: New LGBT Blogs
Unzipped: Gay Armenia points its readers to two new LGBT blogs. The first, Hye Trent is by a Lebanese-Armenian transexual, while the second, Pink Armenia, is from a newly established LGBT NGO in the country.
Azerbaijan: Alcohol Dependency
Azerbaijan — A Part of Europe examines the extent of alcohol dependency among youth in the country. The blog comments on new trends in social drinking and alcoholism which can be linked to the situation of young people in Azerbaijan as they increasingly look towards their counterparts in the West...