“One of the favorite topics of government representatives lately has been the ‘atmosphere of hatred’ which they believe has arisen as a result of [Levon] Ter-Petrosian’s return to politics,” editorializes “Aravot.” “First of all, thousands of opposition supporters and passersby were on March 1-2 attacked, beaten, shot, electrocuted by police forces and taken to police stations without any grounds. Should all those citizens be filled with love for the authorities after all that? No less important is the fact that only those who have spread tolerance, love and solidarity for ten years can complain about an atmosphere of hatred. The country’s current rulers have definitely not done that.”
“Hayots Ashkhar” says what Armenia needs now is a “sane opposition.” “We would love to see the day when that word will cease to be associated with the likes of Ter-Petrosian, Sahakian and Demirchian,” writes the paper. “The authority is unable to do that. Only the opposition itself can gain sanity. Unfortunately, traits like sanity, responsibility and constructiveness are hard to come by in the opposition camp.”
“Taregir” says the Armenian authorities have failed to comply with the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s demand for the immediate release of opposition members arrested on “seemingly artificial charges.” Furthermore, says the opposition paper, the vast majority of opposition detainees have had their pre-trial arrests prolonged by courts in recent weeks. “So they won’t be set free before July,” it says.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” says many Armenians seem to think that Serzh Sarkisian “feels very bad” for the way in which he came to power and may even willingly resign. “But one must not trust in external manifestations and one’s eyes when it comes to our leaders’ unbending will to cling to power,” advises the paper. Armenians, it says, should not give the authorities “time to weigh up their further steps” and should help the opposition topple them instead.
(Armen Dulian)
“Hayots Ashkhar” says what Armenia needs now is a “sane opposition.” “We would love to see the day when that word will cease to be associated with the likes of Ter-Petrosian, Sahakian and Demirchian,” writes the paper. “The authority is unable to do that. Only the opposition itself can gain sanity. Unfortunately, traits like sanity, responsibility and constructiveness are hard to come by in the opposition camp.”
“Taregir” says the Armenian authorities have failed to comply with the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s demand for the immediate release of opposition members arrested on “seemingly artificial charges.” Furthermore, says the opposition paper, the vast majority of opposition detainees have had their pre-trial arrests prolonged by courts in recent weeks. “So they won’t be set free before July,” it says.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” says many Armenians seem to think that Serzh Sarkisian “feels very bad” for the way in which he came to power and may even willingly resign. “But one must not trust in external manifestations and one’s eyes when it comes to our leaders’ unbending will to cling to power,” advises the paper. Armenians, it says, should not give the authorities “time to weigh up their further steps” and should help the opposition topple them instead.
(Armen Dulian)