“Hayots Ashkhar” predicts that whoever wins next year’s presidential election in Armenia he will find himself in an “extremely difficult situation.” The election campaign is already getting underway and promises to be unusually tense and dirty. “The decline in the authority and standing of all candidates will have a direct impact on the authority of the entire state apparatus.”
Another “Hayots Ashkhar” commentary discusses the role of the Armenian law-enforcement agencies in the public and political life. “In our country law-enforcement officials periodically discredit the government so much so that even its most radical and hostile opponents are just kids compared to them,” it says.
“Armenia’s largest party is not officially registered. It is the nomenklatura,” Suren Zolian, a member of the presidential commission on human rights, tells “Golos Armenii.” “They brilliantly manage to further their interests and dictate their will,” Zolian says. The best way for ordinary people to cope with their rulers is to get organized and protect their interests, he says.
“Aravot” says that the authorities will not be faced with a public outcry or resistance if they do close the independent A1 Plus television.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” reports that all parliamentary forces have set aside their differences to voice their support to A1 Plus. Their message is: “We really need A1 Plus.”
Presidential adviser Aleksan Harutiunian, meanwhile, rejects opposition accusations that he is behind the alleged government drive to muzzle the TV channel. He tells “Hayots Ashkhar” that the accusations are largely made by representatives of the countries’ former leadership which, unlike the current regime, closed several newspapers and television programs. Harutiunian urges A1 Plus not to be “the microphone of those forces.”
“Azg” claims that many Armenian businesses are reluctant to order TV and newspaper advertisements for fear of provoking additional inspections by tax authorities. This stifles the development of both those businesses and the media. The paper says that the authorities are to blame for that.
(Vache Sarkisian)
Another “Hayots Ashkhar” commentary discusses the role of the Armenian law-enforcement agencies in the public and political life. “In our country law-enforcement officials periodically discredit the government so much so that even its most radical and hostile opponents are just kids compared to them,” it says.
“Armenia’s largest party is not officially registered. It is the nomenklatura,” Suren Zolian, a member of the presidential commission on human rights, tells “Golos Armenii.” “They brilliantly manage to further their interests and dictate their will,” Zolian says. The best way for ordinary people to cope with their rulers is to get organized and protect their interests, he says.
“Aravot” says that the authorities will not be faced with a public outcry or resistance if they do close the independent A1 Plus television.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” reports that all parliamentary forces have set aside their differences to voice their support to A1 Plus. Their message is: “We really need A1 Plus.”
Presidential adviser Aleksan Harutiunian, meanwhile, rejects opposition accusations that he is behind the alleged government drive to muzzle the TV channel. He tells “Hayots Ashkhar” that the accusations are largely made by representatives of the countries’ former leadership which, unlike the current regime, closed several newspapers and television programs. Harutiunian urges A1 Plus not to be “the microphone of those forces.”
“Azg” claims that many Armenian businesses are reluctant to order TV and newspaper advertisements for fear of provoking additional inspections by tax authorities. This stifles the development of both those businesses and the media. The paper says that the authorities are to blame for that.
(Vache Sarkisian)