I was planning my departure, training the armenian guy that was hired to replace me. Starting to think about a new job. And look for it. Everything was going well.

Until l got a phone call from my successor last week. Very bad news.The guy wanted to be “wiser-than-the-old-monkey“, to get rid of the army he had to serve by starting a PhD. No Way.
“I’m leaving in two days“, he said to me. Army got him.Bad news for me. I’ve been so stupid to bet on a single horse, especially knowing that he would had troubles with Armenian Army.

So I need to find another successor, train him and leave the country. In 1 week? no way. I’m staying a bit longer in order to put everything in order (again). End of july. Then probably Iran for 2 weeks.

Without any logical transition, let me introduce you a kind of local Elvis. from Gyumri.

[Yet another post in french, I'm sorry but it was impossible to translate this stupid joke in english ]

Lui : "Et le policier arménien parlait français."
Moi : "Non?"
Lui : "Mais si, il m’a même sorti une blague"
Moi : "Truc de fou
Lui : "Quel est le seul fruit que n’aiment pas les poissons
Moi : "Et alors?
Lui : "Bah les poissons ca mange pas de fruits !!!!!

j’étais scié :-D.

Allez, trouvez moi la bonne réponse dans les commentaires.

comme quoi meme les blagues carambar s’exportent dans la gendarmerie soviétique

William, mon meilleur ami ici et collègue, se met à blogguer.

David, Yohann et Aurélie sont venus enregistrer a Erevan pour leur projet de fusion musicale entre la France et l’Arménie. Leur site internet est assez évasif, mais vous pourrez écouter quelques sons sur leur page MySpace. Les gars n’hésitrez pas si vous avez besoin d’aide pour le web.

J’ai rencontré à Tbilisi Andy, un allemand qui voyage en bicyclette. Il nous raconte ses tribulations dans le Caucase et en Asie centrale. Ses difficultés à avoir ses visas aussi.

Olivier crée des stylos de luxe, exclusifs et haut de gamme pour le plaisir des yeux et des doigts.

Joshua Kucera blogge sur le chemin entre Istanbul et Beijing. Une série de billets sur son séjour arménien notamment. Via Onnik.

Arthur prend des photos en Arménie.

Julie en prend à Paris.

Camille, un peu partout autour de la planète.

Je vous présente aussi le fameux Lorenzoo Havelaar, journaliste français rencontré à EspaceS pendant ses vacances, qui blogue quelque part entre photos, politique, vidéos, et séries TV + bonus pour mes petites soeurs.

Ma cousine avec qui j’ai été visiter Tbilissi a mis ses photos sur le web.

Yevrobati.org

Un lien de soutien à mes amis parisiens de Bellinux. Si vous avez un vieil ordinateur dont vous voulez vous débarasser, faite leur signe.

Yevrobatsi.org (comprendre européen en Arménien) parle de la diaspora eurpéenne.

Et pour finir, n’oubliez pas d’aller participer à One Day In Your Life.

 

One Day In Your Life is a collaborative photoblogging project where
everypost is published by a different photographer and contains 4 pictures.

The concept is pretty much simple.
The only rule is the time : the first photo must be shot at 10:00, the
second at 14:00, then 18:00 and 22:00.
Then, you are free to take whatever you want in photo

So, each day bring its different views from different eyes, but shot at
the same time.

Of course you’re taking pictures only once (or several time if you enjoyed the experience). You are not supposed to take 4 pictures a day

And moreover, you don’t need to be an expert photographer. We are more interested by inspiration than techniques.

Everyone is more than welcomed to join this project by publishing pictures and joining discussions about them.  We would be more than flattered to give opportunity to people from as many different horizons as possible.

I’m currently starting this project up. There is no defined starting date, as it really depends of the number of people ready to take part to the game. Anyway, the website will be ready to use within 2 weeks.

So that’s why I’m asking you these questions :

What do you think about this idea?
Would you mind to take 4 pictures during one day in your life, and
blog them on the site?

We can discuss in the comments about it.

Will come back in Armenia in the end of the week

Et le genre d’histoire sordides qui suit n’en est que lq conséquence directe.
Enkerner, khntroum em aytselek kaykeche, yev ajaktsek Melikian entanikin yev Hayastani bolor hetiotnerin.

Friends, please do visit this webpage and support the Melikian family, and all pedestrians in Armenia.

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/araz

*******

Dear friends,

As many of you know, my cousin, Araz Melikian, was killed by a taxi driver in Yerevan this past summer. Her precious life was cut way too short…3 weeks shy of her 18th birthday. For those of you who have been to Armenia, I’m sure you’ve experienced the reckless driving conditions. I also experienced the frustration and anger in the streets of Yerevan when we went for the funeral proceedings. After several court hearings, the killer has now basically walked away free. Therefore, in an effort to enforce new laws/regulations & improve driving conditions in Armenia the below petition was created by my father, Soorik Melikian, & Alma Eskandary. Forwarded is also the letter that will be sent to three of our ministers in Armenia. I’m certain that all of us believe in the same cause–improvement in our country. We have to start somewhere…hopefully via this petition our joined voices will be heard & results will take effect.

Furthermore, my uncle, Derik Melikian is the chief editor of “Alik” newspaper in Iran. He’s using this media outlet to voice several articles. Additionally, we’re hoping to produce a documentary that features several families who share the pain of losing loved ones due to unsafe driving conditions in Armenia. Hopefully, this documentary will be televised in Armenia.

I hope every single one of you is doing great. I thank you in advance.
Best wishes,
Gaia
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear friend,
A petition has been created in response to Soorik Melikian’s plea of justice; shown below, for his niece, Araz Melikian - a victim of unsafe traffic laws, in Armenia.
If you are a resident of Armenia, or if you have ever visited the country, you will know the dangers pedestrians face everyday, first hand. If you wish to visit our beloved land, in future, you should be warned that crossing the roads are dangerous, and presently there are no proper regulations in place to assure the safety of the pedestrians.

If you agree with this petition, please go to the website http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/araz and enter your name, then pass this information to your friends and contacts. If you have no interest in this matter, we thank you for taking your time reading this email, however, please forward this petition on to your other contacts as they may be interested.
This petition will be sent to:
Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Justice.

PETITION:
Dear Ministers,
We, the undersigned are concerned citizens, visitors and devotees of our beloved land, Armenia. Our concern is the safety of all pedestrians, especially those in the streets of Yerevan. The traffic laws and regulations presently in place do not reflect the rapid increase of motor vehicles and unsafe drivers in the country. Our request from the government is: to act fast upon this life-threatening and concerning issue. Since the present laws do not work in favor of pedestrians, there is neither a safeguard nor justice for the victims, and the ramification for the motorists is from minimum to none.
As concerned Armenians we would appreciate your cooperation and sharing of our vision, for a pedestrian-safe Armenia .]

Soorik Melikian’s letter:
sireli enkerner;
I am writing to you out of desperation & disgust for the rule of law in our motherland (fatherland) ARMENIA…..
AS YOU KNOW, MY NIECE (ARAZ MELIKIAN) WAS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NOW, AFTER SOME 3 MONTHS OF COURT PROCEEDINGS, THE KILLER, A TAXI DRIVER, IS BASICALLY FREE…..
COURT IN YEREVAN RULED FOR THE KILLER TO BE ONLY ON PROBATION FOR 2 YEARS; NO DRIVING & NO OUT-OF-THE-COUNTRY-TRIPS FOR 2 YEARS….
THAT’S ALL.
WE ALL KNOW THERE WILL BE NO ENFORCEMENT OF EVEN THE ABOVE. WHO IS GOING TO WATCH HIM WHAT HE IS DOING..????
ABOVE IS JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION, TO BE AWARE OF THE DEGREE OF LAWLESSNESS (CORRUPTION.?) IN OUR ARMENIA….
MY BROTHER (AND HIS WIFE) ARE DEVASTATED AND THEY CAN DO NOTHING!
AS IT IS, OUR ARMENIA HAS A LONG WAY TO GO FOR DEMOCRACY AND “JUSTICE FOR ALL”……….

SOORIK

I am at Home/Paris/France with all my family, nothing special to blog about these days; I’ll see you in a few days.

Je laisse la parole à Zoul, globetrotter dissident devant l’éternel, pour relater cet événement en marge du Forum Social Nigérien. Via Antoine

Communiqué de presse

Les caravaniers dénoncent l’interpellation de Claude Quemar et exigent sa
libération immédiate
(Communiqué de presse des caravaniers du 9/11/2006)

Ce jeudi 9 novembre 2006, Claude Quemar, membre du CADTM international,
et participant à la deuxième édition de la caravane des alternatives
sociales, a été interpellé par la police nationale dans la ville de
Tahoua, située à 550 km de Niamey (Niger). Cette « interpellation » a eu
lieu au cours d’une des conférences/débats organisées par les «
caravaniers », et cela sans aucun mandat ni motif officiel. Après une
heure d’interrogatoire au commissariat, il a été emmené manu militari à
Niamey.

La caravane des alternatives sociales, initiative du RNDD Niger (Réseau
National Dette et Développement) a pour objectif principal de
sensibiliser les populations locales sur l’impact de la dette du Tiers
Monde et de l’ajustement structurel sur leurs conditions de vie
quotidiennes. Elle a également pour but de favoriser l’implication des
mouvements sociaux dans le combat pour l’annulation de cette dette,
odieuse, illégitime, et qui a déjà été remboursée plusieurs fois. Enfin,
il s’agit d’élaborer collectivement des pistes alternatives à la
mondialisation néolibérale.

Composée de 35 participants provenant de différents pays (Niger, Côte
d’Ivoire, France, Belgique, Canada) et organisations (associations de
défense des droits de l’homme, syndicats, réseaux internationaux, ONG,
étudiants, paysans, féministes, …) la caravane doit relier cette année
Niamey à Arlit (capitale minière du Nord du Niger).

Cette arrestation s’inscrit dans un contexte de répression constante de
la société civile nigérienne. Après l’interdiction du Forum Social
Nigérien, puis son autorisation face aux pressions internationales, le
gouvernement décide de porter un nouveau coup au mouvement social.

Le RNDD, ainsi que tous les caravaniers, dénoncent ces pratiques
scandaleuses et demandent la libération immédiate et inconditionnelle de
notre camarade Claude Quemar.

La dette étrangle les peuples et constitue une nouvelle forme
d’esclavage. Il s’agit d’en prendre conscience collectivement pour que
l’immense majorité de la population avance enfin vers la satisfaction de
ses droits humains fondamentaux. La caravane mène ce combat et compte
bien continuer à le mener, malgré cette arrestation inacceptable

Hamza Malam Harou (Réseau National Dette et Développement - RNDD Niger)
; Mme Daweye Nana ( RNDD Niger) Hamada Attaher ( Association Nationale
pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme - ANDDH Niger ) ; Lawali Abdo (
Confédération Démocratique des Travailleurs du Niger - CDTN Niger ) ;
Mme Zeinabou Oumarou ( Réseau des femmes enseignantes du Niger – REFEN
Niger) ; Abdou Koublé ( Plate Forme paysanne – Niger) ; Boka Abdoulaye
(Union des Etudiants de l’Université de Niamey – UENUN Niger) ; Olivier
Bonfond (Comité pour l’Annulation de la Dette du Tiers Monde - CADTM
Belgique) ; Sebastian Alzerreca (Survie France) ; Achille Esse ( Front
National contre la Dette et pour le Développement - FNDP Côte d’Ivoire)
; Bruno Girard (Alternatives Canada)

Contact sur place au Niger :

00 227 94 84 21 63 (Sebastian - Survie France)
00 227 96 96 87 18 (Hamza - RNDD)

Olivier Bonfond
olivier@cadtm.org
www.cadtm.org
tel : 00 32 494 47 28 03
Lire également le communiqué du CADTM France en ligne à l’adresse suivante :
http://www.cadtm.org/article.php3?id_article=2212

Photo : Zoul
Comment les soutenirs?

- prevenir la presse internationale RFI etc..
- mobiliser les réseaux syndicaux pour faire pression sur les autorités
nigériennes et exiger sa libération.
- comprendre le contexte de répression envers le mouvement social dans un
pays, l’un des plus pauvres au monde, ou les principaux dirigeants sont
impliqués dans des scandales de détournement de fonds.
- nous appeler pour apporter votre soutien et nous tenir au courant des
actions en cours.
- organiser une protestation et une conférence de presse devant le
consulat du niger à Paris et ailleurs dans le monde…
- envoyer des communiqués de presse (AFP etc…Agence de la Presse Africaine)

Contexte :

Après l’interdiction du Forum Social Nigérien, puis son autorisation face
aux pressions internationales, le gouvernement nigérien, agacé par le
mouvement social souhaite porter un nouveau coup en pertubant à travers
cette arrestation la 2nde caravane des alternatives sociales qui comptait
35 participants et devait relier Niamey à Arlit au Nord du Niger en 6
étapes. Claude a été interpellé alors qu’une conférence sur le VIH/Sida
dans la région de Tahoua, à 550 km de Niamey.
L’ordre provient de la Direction Générale de la Police à Niamey.
Nous avons déjà subi des intimidations, et nous avons été suivis par la
Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire à Niamey.
Le consul de France à Niamey est informé et contacte l’attaché à la
sécurité, du STIP à Niamey.

Where to start?

Oh, yes. The first big news for me is that I won’t stay as long as scheduled in Armenia. I was supposed to spend initially 3 years for KASA Foundation, but I’ll leave in the end of june. Why? because 3 years is pretty long in such an environment. There is also some professional reasons, but this is not the question on that blog.
I’ve really been pleased by the way my boss reacted when I announced them my choice. Thanks again for your support.

Anyway, until then, I’ll have to work twice more. But, the work seems to be really interesting. (I’ll speak a bit more in my future posts).
That makes me spending one third of my working time in Gyumri. I’ll try to stay a bit more, so I can discover life from inside.

I’ll also have a bit time to think a bit more to my future projects (either to stay in Armenia , so I’ll be able to keep a consultant look on the projects I’ve been working on, or go in another country, stay in the cooperation world, on go back to business). Time will tell

And it’s during my meeting with Julie, french volunteer in Vanadzor pour SPFA via Armenian Volunteer Corp, who just came back to France this week that I realized my chance to live such an experience : one year and a half long experience outside france, in a very different environment, and moreover, a job pretty much interesting. Anyway, Julie, good luck to the hard and tough come back to the parisian life

Coldness is coming step by step, and if Yerevan is still a bit sunny, the country is getting into the rigorous caucasian winter. I really aprehend to face -15°C temperatures.

I went to Adesa concert last week. It’s a band from Ghana pretty interesting, mixing traditional ghanean music and more conventionnal reggae, and acrobatic and juggling performances. Musically speaking, it was really well done.And it was interesting to see how armenian people were reacting to a music they were not used to listen to. Indeed, african music is not so played here in Caucasus. More than half of the club finished the concert dancing around tables. A really nice evening so.

This is almost over for tonight. I hope I’ll be starting to blog more frequently. And finishing to integrate the whole website. Wait and see …