Stumbling upon a YouTube video of the ‘National Anthem (Himn Artsakhi) of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’, sung by popular Armenian singer Andre was something of a surprise to me.
Mixed feelings over the National Anthem of Nagorno Karabakh
November 5, 2009
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Armenia, Artsakh, Nagorno-Karabakh | 
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Posted by Observer
Armenian media starts speaking Turkish
November 4, 2009
Tert.am banner advertising the 'new' Turkish version
Two relatively new and, judging from Circle.am statistics, highly popular Armenian online news websites: News.am and Tert.am added Turkish language versions to their content in October.
3 Comments | 
Armenia, Turkey | Tagged: Armenia, Media, Turkey | 
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Posted by Observer
Yerevan “Hails” International Genocide Affirmation
November 3, 2009“Official Yerevan remains firm in its position to welcome efforts by other countries to recognize the Ottoman-era massacres of Armenians as genocide and deems them important not only for Armenia but also for the entire international community, according to the country’s top diplomat,” RFE/RL reports.
Official Yerevan has remained silent on the introduction of an Armenian Genocide recognition resolution in the US Congress only days after Armenian-Turkish protocols on normalizing relations has been signed, triggering speculations, that the resolution was an attempt by the powerful Armenian Diaspora in the United States to interfere with the process of ratification of those protocols in the Turkish parliament. Read the rest of this entry »
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Armenia, Diaspora, Turkey | 
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Posted by Observer
Armenia: a safe country for foreigners?
November 2, 2009
“Armenia is a very safe country, Yerevan is a safe place” I usually tell foreign friends and colleagues visiting Armenia and leave them free to explore it as much as they like, they are all grown ups, after all.
Latest crime figures released by Armenia’s Police for the first 9 months of this year will certainly make me think twice before I let my foreign guests walk free of my company from now on.
6 Comments | Crime, Society, Tourism | Tagged: Armenia, Crime, Safety, Tourism | Permalink
Posted by Observer
The two big-fat-hippo backsides in Yerevan’s zoo
October 30, 2009
I’m not a big fan of Yerevan’s zoo – the place stinks quite badly and some animals look really unhappy and dirty. Still, my son, absolutely loves the place and keeps asking to take him there again.
The fantastic photo above was made and posted to Facebook by a good friend – Hovhannnes Shoghikyan. The photo of the two big-fat-hippo-backsides captured in Yerevan’s zoo made me write this post – mostly to post this photo somewhere. Yep, these are some amazing hippopotamus butts right there!
4 Comments | Armenia, Tourism | Tagged: zoo | Permalink
Posted by Observer
Speak of corruption… keep your money ready
October 22, 2009I recently worked with “Banadzev” production company on a story related to corruption. I was presented there as a “young blogger” who “condemns” corruption – which I surely do.
Somehow it happened, that on the days when the program was broadcast I fell badly sick. Went to a hospital with diagnosis: “Hepatitis A”. An ugly illness, I tell you. Because this is an infection desease, it is covered by Armenia’s free health care system.
I went to the hospital and the nurses there said: ”Hey, your face looks familiar”. The other one recalled: “oh, you were on Public TV, speaking in that program about corruption.” “Yes”, I confessed, too sick to add anything more.
I was locked in the hospital for a couple of weeks and was cured more or less. The doctor came to me in the end. “Your illness is covered by the state,” she said. So you don’t have to pay for the cure, for the medication, “But you have to pay 20,000 AMD for the hospital staff.”
So I paid it. I didn’t get any receipt. So I understood – it was something you could describe with the word “corruption”. Still, I was too happy to be cured, to object.
In the end the doctor said: “I saw you on TV the other day speaking about corruption. Well done! You’re quite right! Corruption should be eliminated!” Read the rest of this entry »
3 Comments | Armenia, Corruption, Society | Tagged: Corruption | Permalink
Posted by Observer
Armenia-Turkey: historic document is being signed, so what’s the fuss?
October 10, 2009The two-part document calling for normalization and regulating various aspects of Armenian-Turkish relations is being signed today in Zurich between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Turkey. As a guarantor of the importance attached to the protocols, the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton will attend the event, so will a number of other major figures.
The protocols can and are being criticized in Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan, which is a sure sign, that the documents are indeed a result of compromise.
Meanwhile, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutiun), is living through a period of revitalization – the party is organizing protest actions, rallies not only in Armenia, but abroad. It was surely expected, that the party, which exists primarily for fulfilling the “Hay Dat”, Armenia’s call for justice against the Ottoman Empire, would be energized in the wake of signing the protocols. Meanwhile, the fashion in which ARF is protesting leads onlookers with the feeling, that the Dashnaks don’t believe in their protests themselves, but they just have to do it.
Frankly, I’m glad to know, they the ARF protests will have no impact, glad to know, that for once the monopolization of political power is going to render results and president Sarkissian with his Republican party will push forward with signing the deal. In fact, this is one of the rare cases, where I wholeheartedly welcome the policy the government is implementing.
PS: I’m having to go through a great amount of effort to write this entry, as I’m locked in the hospital with “Hepatitis A”, with nearly no access to internet. So, today, let’s become a little more optimistic and hope, that with signing of the protocols, something big and positive will indeed change in the Caucasus.
22 Comments | Armenia, Turkey | Tagged: Armenia, Turkey | Permalink
Posted by Observer
Obama marks Armenia’s independence day with a slight tilt
September 22, 2009
U.S. President Barack Obama marked the 18th anniversary of Armenia’s declaration of independence late Tuesday with a special statement and a congratulatory message to his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian, RFE/RL reports.
“The people of the United States join the people of Armenia in celebrating Armenia’s day of independence today,” Obama said in a statement posted on the White House website. “We deeply value the many cultural and historic ties that bind our two countries.”
The full text of Obama’s statement is here. The reason this statement by Obama grabbed my attention is the background information on the RFE/RL story: “Obama similarly congratulated Armenians on the occasion and hailed their “spirit of independence, self-reliance, and survival” one year ago, when he was still a presidential candidate. “Even in the face of genocide, the pain of the past has not defeated the Armenians, either in Armenia or the far-flung diaspora,” he said in a September 2008 letter to Sarkisian.“ Link
5 Comments | Armenia | Tagged: Armenia, Genocide, Obama, usa | Permalink
Posted by Observer
Armenia marks the Independence day
September 21, 2009
Photolur photo via RFE/RL
Armenia turned 18 today. Wouldn’t be able to buy beer in U.S.A yet, but certainly entitled to a passport. This is quite a mature age for a country, and time to behave more responsibly in local and international politics. Like an adult!
Let’s wish all the best to the 18-year-old Armenia and its 18-year-old citizens, many of whom have yet to understand what statehood, citizenship and responsibility towards one’s country means.
PS: I’m buried in so much work, that it doesn’t seem like holiday or party at all. Oh well, I suppose work-work-work is part of building one’s country and helping sustain its fragile independence?
Leave a Comment » | Armenia | Tagged: Armenia, Holidays | Permalink
Posted by Observer
Armenian politics: two major speeches, one major silence
September 18, 2009
Two major speeches – by president Serzh Sargsian and ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosian, and one major silence, by founder of “Heritage” opposition party Raffi Hovhannisian defined the Armenian political landscape this week.
4 Comments | Armenia, Politics | Tagged: Armenia, Government, Karabakh, Opposition, Politics, Turkey | Permalink
Posted by Observer
World Cup Qualifying: Armenia 2-1 Belgium Match Highlights
September 10, 2009
Armenia won a surprise victory against Belgium in World Cup Qualifying game on September 9. The much needed first victory in this World Cup Qualifying round comes ahead of the anticipated football match with Turkey in October, which has become more of a political event, rather than sport. Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment | Armenia, Politics, Sport, Turkey | Tagged: Armenia, Sport | Permalink
Posted by Observer
How to discredit your country in 3 easy steps
September 10, 2009
Yep, you guessed right: 1. Establish a State Security Service; 2. Take part in the Eurovision and 3. Call in the fans for questioning.
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show has been all over the recent Eurovision scandal with Azerbaijani Eurovision fan called in to answer for voting in favor of Armenia – Azerbaijan’s arch-rival.
I don’t claim to know much about MSNBC. Last time I was in US (in 2001), nobody really cared about what that cable TV Channel would say about Azerbaijan. However, it’s available in US and Canada… just watch the YouTube video here.
4 Comments | Armenia, Azerbaijan | Tagged: Dumb, Eurovision | Permalink
Posted by Observer
7 thousand km ring-road to connect Baku-Yerevan-Istanbul
September 9, 2009
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoghlu has proposed to start parliamentary discussions on the “peace road” project which would connect the Caucasus to Europe, spanning vast 7 thousand kilometers, passing through 12 countries, connecting 24 cities including Baku, Yerevan and Istanbul, Turkish Sabah newspaper reports.
From what little I was able to make of the Google Translator’s English version of the text, it looks like the project has been agreed on by the Black See Economic Cooperation (BSEC) countries back in 2007, and the project called “Black See Ring Road” is waiting for the approval by the parliaments of member countries. Here’s a quote (don’t even hope for it to be an accurate translation):
The “Black See Ring Road” will pass through 12 countries and 24 cities connecting the Caucasus to the Balkans. Each country will meet the cost of construction within its own borders. EU funds could also be used for road construction. According to the agreement the road would link the countries and cities as follows: "Komotini, Alexandroupoli (Greece), Edirne, Istanbul, Samsun, Trabzon (Turkey), Batumi, Poti (Georgia), Yerevan (Armenia), Baku (Azerbaijan), Novorosisk , Rostov-on-Don, Taganrok (Russia), Mariupol, Melitopol, Odessa (Ukraine), Chisinau (Moldova), Bucharest, Constanta (Romania), Haskovo, Sofia (Bulgaria), Nis, Belgrade (Serbia), Tirana (Albania ).
The project looks too unrealistic to be true, especially the funding part. I’m also somewhat worried by the fact, that none of us has heard anything about such a magnificent agreement signed by our country back in 2007.
On the other hand, even if it’s another test of public opinion, as we have seen the Turkish media do from time to time, I’m here to give my very own subjective, non-public opinion – this is a great idea. I like the Baku-Yerevan connection part, and promise to drive on it from end-to-end as soon as the road is completed! Hey, I can even promise to buckle up the whole way and only listen to Armenian Rabiz music throughout the trip!
4 Comments | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Regional, Turkey | Tagged: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Regional, Turkey | Permalink
Posted by Observer
Robert A. Bradtke replaces Mathew Bryza as US co-chairman at OSCE Minsk Group
September 8, 2009
Next OSCE Minsk Group US Co-Chairman Robert A. Bradtke, Photo via RFE/RL
Everyone’s ‘favorite’ OSCE Minsk Group co-chairman Mathew Bryza will probably stop revealing to the media details of Karabakh regulation process, only to come out the next day to say he was misquoted and misunderstood again. Robert A. Bradtke will replace Bryza on that post. The official State Department Statement says:
2 Comments | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh | Tagged: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Conflict, Karabakh, Minsk group, Negotiations, News, OSCE | Permalink
Posted by Observer
The next ‘clean’ presidential candidate?
September 7, 2009
Armenia -- Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian, founder of "Heritage" party
Raffi Hovannisian, the leader of a “Heritage” opposition party, will give up his mandate in the National Assembly, RFE/RL reports.
The source, who asked not to be identified, declined to comment on reasons for the unexpected move, saying that Hovannisian himself will explain his motives in the coming days. The spokesman for his Zharangutyun (Heritage) party, Hovsep Khurshudian, refused to confirm or refute the resignation.
Oh I love when they do that – refuse to ‘confirm or refute’, because that leaves so much space for speculation. My version of the developments is – Hovhannisian has just started his run for the next presidential elections which are due sometime in the faraway 2013. Why not? Let the race begin!
Leave a Comment » | Armenia, Campaign, Politics | Tagged: Armenia, Politics | Permalink
Posted by Observer
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