Notes from the Armenian Blogosphere
After Der Hova at Cilicia.com’s Life in Armenia posted news of Andranik Markarian’s death, Raffi K left a comment saying that conspiracy theories would start now. Well, they didn’t, and instead took a day, but the point was made. Now, the Armenian Libertarian-Socialist Movement starts the ball rolling by wondering if Markarian’s death is coincidence less than two months before the 12 May parliamentary election.
It seems that the topics of discussion in Armenian media over the next few days will be dominated by this event: not his death, but his replacement. There is a pattern: when Yeltsin wanted to give power to Putin, he first placed him as a Prime Minister (few months before the elections were due); Exactly same thing with Alievs; similarly, Kocharian first came in as a prime minister and then after a bloodless Coup d’Etat and falsified elections, he became the El Presidente of the 3rd republic. In other words, to be the Minister of Defense is not enough for becoming the next President — one must be in the Prime Minister’s chair for a while as well. As such, there was no real reason to relieve him from his PM duties — but now he’s dead, so ”someone” will have to replace him. Why do these high ranking politicians have a habit of dying at the most turbulent and decisive points in history (when history is more like a junction)? Coincidence? hmmm…. Maybe…
Oneworld Multimedia would like to stress that it sees no reason to believe that the Armenian Prime Minister did not die from natural causes given his history of heart-related problems, and posts this entry in the interest of detailing all of what is being said in the Armenian Blogosphere on the news. However, it is probably only a matter of time before such things are said here as well. If you want to comment on the post, the original entry is here and introduced thus:
Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan died today of a heart attack. He was 56. He was the longest serving Prime Minister (since 2000) of RA and the chairman of the Republican Party since 1997. Coincidence or not, his death comes less then 2 months before the parliamentary elections and ahead of the next year’s presidential elections. He was reputed as a man of balance and reason and who kept a general stability both within the government and the HHK party.
Meanwhile, Garo (aka Christian Garbis) at Notes from Hairenik makes a more general post about the news, describing Markarian in a way that many Armenians would understand and recognize. Even those in opposition to the present Government would agree.
Prime Minister Markarian was perhaps best known characteristically for his mumbling and occasional incoherence whenever he spoke in front of the cameras, as his lips hardly seemed to move. He was also generally quiet when in the public eye. Although he did not really have the appearance that may be attributed to a died-in-the-wool statesman, he always had a dignified look about him, with an aura of professionalism that was not rivaled by many of his contemporaries. I would make jokes about this man with friends regarding where he should really be working or whatever, but now that he’s passed I must admit that he wasn’t a bad person. I have never heard any stories about his potentially perceived affluence and cunning as a businessman behind the scenes, and have not known anyone who has spoken negatively about him. According to his fellow party member and longtime friend President of the National Assembly Tigran Torosian, he never stalled to talk to ordinary people, whether they were morning street sweepers or old men trying to find a way to make a living in their villages. He always appeared to be a gentle, peaceful man who would never deliberately harm anyone. On the contrary, he was known to do whatever he could to help those that petitioned him. Critics have scrutinized his policies and failures to tackle one issue or another, but that is to be expected of any politician.
Interestingly, although many would disagree that it is impossible to guess who is likely to succeed him, Garo does make the interesting point that two of the last three Prime Ministers of the Republic of Armenia died in office. He also offers his own opinion on Markarian’s tenure in office.
[…] I think it is a great shame that a second Prime Minister died while in office in less than a 10-year time span. I think he was a good man who had much important work left undone. I don’t know what his legacy will be, but I would venture to guess it is having dutifully served his country to the best of his abilities, with honor and valor.
The full post is here.
Thanks for the comment, Observer. Appreciated and you make the case well. I’d also say that as bloggers we’re in a difficult situation with all of this, but I also agree that we can’t “filter out” information because firstly, it’s subjective as to what information you filter, and secondly, one you start, where do you stop?
And as Observer says, Markarian was a political figure and his death will have so far unknown consequences on the May election. After the initial period of mourning, I’m sure we’ll see much more gossip and rumor spreading in less than “objective ways.” Until then, apart from various people seeming unmoved by Markarian’s death yesterday, I’m told by Zarchka over at Life Around Me that the feeling is more one of shock and sadness.
Like I said, my purpose is to represent what is being said to the best of my ability. Maybe I’ll piss some people off by doing so, but it is the free and comprehensive flow of information in its proper context that is my main concern and what I personally feel we need to do. Rather than sweep things under the carpet so they’re hidden until they finally pile up and become larger problems, let’s discuss them maturely and sensibly now.
Comment by Onnik — March 26, 2007 @ 11:47 am
I agree with basically all the points above. And there was no need to tell me about the value of freedom of speech. Talk about preaching to the faithful…
My original point was more about ethics and had absolutely nothing to do with self-censorship. After all, what distinguishes a respected journalist from a “yellow” one is ethics and professionalism, not any limitation of freedom of speech. (This is not to say for a moment that I imply that Onnik is a “yellow” journalist. Of course not. But sometimes it just feels right to be distant and not to engage in every detail. And that is why it wouldn’t cross my mind to follow this advice:
“So, rather than attack me for at least pointing everyone to what is being said in the blogosphere on the matter, why not go and argue your case over at the original site? That’s where the post came from, and that’s where you should be focusing your attention with arguments why you don’t believe such things.”
I just would feel cheap to go and argue with them. That’s all I am saying.)
Comment by Artashes — March 26, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
There is a French movie called ‘Man bites dog’ where the hero, a serial killer / burglar, pays a visit to an elderly woman in the hopes of raising money for the documentary he is filming. He pretended to be a government employee, sat next to the lady asking about how she was, and then he yelled loudly. The old lady died of a heart attack as the hero had noticed her heart medication on the table.
Comment by nazarian — March 26, 2007 @ 6:17 pm
I know the film. Saw it in London at the cinema many years ago. Great movie although very black indeed. As I recall the serial killer was demonstrating to the film crew how it is possible to kill someone without using bullets or a knife. Really great movie, although as I said, you feel a bit weird at first laughing at such things. Incidentally, I think the movie is Belgian and not French, but anyway, guess I’m going off the point.
Comment by Onnik — March 26, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
A1 Plus provides us with the first signs of some people thinking that Markarian’s death, but to be honest, these are really a minority of voices. Also, if A1 Plus meant Serzh and Torosian didn’t go inside for the funeral, that’s incorrect because I personally followed them in at the beginning along with other journalists.
Comment by Onnik — March 29, 2007 @ 11:23 pm