Comments on: Armenia: Environmental NGO Accused of Improper Political Activism http://blogian.hayastan.com/2008/04/27/armenia-environmental-ngo-accused-of-improper-political-activism/ Fri, 26 Nov 2010 05:30:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Onnik Krikorian http://blogian.hayastan.com/2008/04/27/armenia-environmental-ngo-accused-of-improper-political-activism/comment-page-1/#comment-1296 Onnik Krikorian Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:42:03 +0000 http://blogian.hayastan.com/?p=1196#comment-1296 Incidentally, I wish that there were NGOs which were concerned with non-partisan activities that challenges or calls the government to account, but unfortunately there are precious few. Incidentally, I wish that there were NGOs which were concerned with non-partisan activities that challenges or calls the government to account, but unfortunately there are precious few.

]]> By: Onnik Krikorian http://blogian.hayastan.com/2008/04/27/armenia-environmental-ngo-accused-of-improper-political-activism/comment-page-1/#comment-1295 Onnik Krikorian Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:38:24 +0000 http://blogian.hayastan.com/?p=1196#comment-1295 I'm not going to say that any of these NGOs are involved in espionage, but many serve partisan political purposes and depending on the international donor, that's also why they get their grants. On the other hand, others would argue that this is the only way to stimulate the emergence of counterbalances to government power. Anyway, I'm pretty sick of the lot of them to be honest and won't have anything to do with them anymore. I also suspect that they will become more active over the coming year and receive more funding. It's also interesting to note that there is also the issue of sub-grants which can be handed out without any oversight or tender. Along with OSI, this type of funding from diplomatic issues is also another area worth investigating. The British Embassy is reportedly particularly active in this area and in terms of grants and sub-grants has surprised me by funding a number of people linked to Levon Ter-Petrossian. Hard to say whether this is a political decision or sinply because the Embassy's political officer is related or connected to those she disburses grants and sub-grants to. I’m not going to say that any of these NGOs are involved in espionage, but many serve partisan political purposes and depending on the international donor, that’s also why they get their grants. On the other hand, others would argue that this is the only way to stimulate the emergence of counterbalances to government power.

Anyway, I’m pretty sick of the lot of them to be honest and won’t have anything to do with them anymore. I also suspect that they will become more active over the coming year and receive more funding. It’s also interesting to note that there is also the issue of sub-grants which can be handed out without any oversight or tender.

Along with OSI, this type of funding from diplomatic issues is also another area worth investigating. The British Embassy is reportedly particularly active in this area and in terms of grants and sub-grants has surprised me by funding a number of people linked to Levon Ter-Petrossian.

Hard to say whether this is a political decision or sinply because the Embassy’s political officer is related or connected to those she disburses grants and sub-grants to.

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