Comments on: Got some oil? We’ll look the other way. http://www.blogrel.com/2005/05/31/got-some-oil-well-look-the-other-way/ A blog about Armenia: business, politics, the future and good lavash Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:00:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5 by: Onnik http://www.blogrel.com/2005/05/31/got-some-oil-well-look-the-other-way/#comment-3081 Wed, 01 Jun 2005 11:11:00 -0700 http://www.blogrel.com/2005/05/31/got-some-oil-well-look-the-other-way/#comment-3081 The Guardian article seemed to be a little vague and also, the author didn't seem to realzie that the US Embassy has been the target of pr-government attacks in Az recently because it has tried to engage the opposition. Okay, maybe a little too late but this no more or no less what's happened in Armenia -- a country without oil. Of course, if there is a pro-oil US policy in the Caucasus and on the other side of the Caspian, this will affect Armenia just because US policies are regional and not country-specific. Besides, Armenia is technically still at war with Azerbaijan. That said, I welcome news of US-sponsored exit polls for the November 2003 Elections. On the subject of Uzbekistan, however, depsite the carnage, many people are unhappy about the western media coverage and seem to be selectively quoting satatistics without putting them into context. For example, in this Guardian article it raises the issue of $50 million in aid. In 2002, US assistance to Uzbekistan was nearly $300 million and the reason for this hug reduction has apparently been because the US is unhappy with the human rights and democratic situation in the country. I actually think the following link is well argued (make sure you follow the links in the text as well): http://www.tradingtimes.co.uk/blogging/archives/2005_05_15_archive.html#111669835576264498 Still, democracy for all please but in a way that promotes stability and doesn't risk internal or external conflict -- a major problem with this region. Still, the November parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan will be the real test. The Guardian article seemed to be a little vague and also, the author didn’t seem to realzie that the US Embassy has been the target of pr-government attacks in Az recently because it has tried to engage the opposition. Okay, maybe a little too late but this no more or no less what’s happened in Armenia — a country without oil.

Of course, if there is a pro-oil US policy in the Caucasus and on the other side of the Caspian, this will affect Armenia just because US policies are regional and not country-specific. Besides, Armenia is technically still at war with Azerbaijan. That said, I welcome news of US-sponsored exit polls for the November 2003 Elections.

On the subject of Uzbekistan, however, depsite the carnage, many people are unhappy about the western media coverage and seem to be selectively quoting satatistics without putting them into context. For example, in this Guardian article it raises the issue of $50 million in aid. In 2002, US assistance to Uzbekistan was nearly $300 million and the reason for this hug reduction has apparently been because the US is unhappy with the human rights and democratic situation in the country.

I actually think the following link is well argued (make sure you follow the links in the text as well):

http://www.tradingtimes.co.uk/blogging/archives/2005_05_15_archive.html#111669835576264498

Still, democracy for all please but in a way that promotes stability and doesn’t risk internal or external conflict — a major problem with this region. Still, the November parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan will be the real test.

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