tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post8120222563754935982..comments2023-09-24T12:47:57.051+01:00Comments on Unzipped: Armenia: Blood on the streets (Economist)artmikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-41681264936050688422008-03-06T19:13:00.000+00:002008-03-06T19:13:00.000+00:00Another excellent piece from The Economist print e...Another excellent piece from The Economist print edition:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://unzipped.blogspot.com/2008/03/economist-responsibility-for-bloodshed.html" REL="nofollow">The Economist: Responsibility for bloodshed in Armenia ultimately lies with the government</A> <BR/><BR/>They mention also media blackout.artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-42729830205482927302008-03-06T15:36:00.000+00:002008-03-06T15:36:00.000+00:00good article, but why no mention of the media blac...good article, but why no mention of the media blackout?Katyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13504569894671446535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-32625156521728861352008-03-06T13:31:00.000+00:002008-03-06T13:31:00.000+00:00In order to get more or less objective picture of ...In order to get more or less objective picture of what happened, we need independent international investigation. Yes, it is shameful but no one will trust any locally conducted ‘investigations’. Any investigation carried out by Armenian authorities will result in nothing but mistrust and will be considered as continuation of blatant state propaganda which people are sick of. No one will trust them because they are the side of the conflict, and in my opinion the most responsible side. It’s ruling regime who violently dispersed peaceful protesters in Liberty sq and events escalated from there. <BR/><BR/>I really hope that it is too early to say that “Armenia as a country in this region is now pretty much finished”. I understand that it’s because of frustration with the current situation. I strongly believe that the only way for Armenia to regain its status in the region is to build up democracy, to become democratic country. All these years since mid-90s proved that we cannot afford ourselves to become country where corruption rules, where ‘democracy’ is only a cover and where ‘stability’ is pretty much illusive, as the recent events proved. We should return to early 90s period of real democracy. I just can’t see any other way forward.artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-26801563949283300332008-03-06T13:29:00.000+00:002008-03-06T13:29:00.000+00:00Onnik what do you mean by that last line, that Arm...Onnik what do you mean by that last line, that Armenia is finished in the region? That implies that Armenia is either moving to another region or the state is not long for this world. I am not disputing the claim, just wanting more clarification on what it really means. I respect your opinion for being a knowledgable reporter on the ground so want to know what this prediction for the future means. Or did it just mean that it's place as a player in the region is essentially finished and it's destined to be a permanently blockaded and ignored entity?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-295929942220206952008-03-06T12:57:00.000+00:002008-03-06T12:57:00.000+00:00The Economist Intelligence Unit's pieces on Armeni...The Economist Intelligence Unit's pieces on Armenia are written by a local member of the RFE/RL staff in Yerevan who is a supporter of Levon Ter-Petrossian and the radical opposition.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, it probably doesn't matter. The fact of the matter is that the piece is read by decision-makers around the world and so will influence their position on the riots.<BR/><BR/>Kind of ironic. It's the counter administrative resources for Ter-Petrossian. I suppose the piece isn't bad, but the problem is use of phrases such as "Although reports indicate that some of the demonstrators were indeed armed, the opposition has also credibly claimed that arms caches were planted by the authorities."<BR/><BR/>How are they credible? Says who? Maybe they are, maybe they aren't, but how does the writer (who I won't name) know apart from by speaking to his contacts in Ter-Petrossian's team?<BR/><BR/>Still, there's no question of one thing. The move towards a destabilized situation in Armenia and the hate between Armenians as a result of Ter-Petrossian's return to the political scene now raises serious questions about the future of this country.<BR/><BR/>And that's regardless of how this all ends up. Armenia as a country in this region is now pretty much finished.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com