(Saturday, November 27)
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun” says that every Armenian “more or less” interested in politics is now wondering what will happen at the December 1-2 OSCE summit in Astana, which could prove decisive for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “The problem is that our society’s reaction to possible scenarios of events is not adequate, to put it mildly,” writes the paper.
“Since 2008, the Russian Federation has been openly attempting to underline its leadership of the [Karabakh] conflict resolution,” opposition deputy Stepan Safarian tells “168 Zham.” “And these trilateral meetings organized by the Russian president and treated by the West with quite a bit of jealousy are not accidental. And on this issue Russia can count on Azerbaijan’s backing for the simple reason that that country is blackmailing the Minsk Group, complaining about its inefficacy.” Safarian insists that there is “rivalry” between Russia and Western powers in the Karabakh peace process.
Speaking to “Hayots Ashkhar,” deputy parliament speaker Samvel Nikoyan attacks opposition leaders and media for claiming that the Armenian authorities are gradually freeing jailed oppositionists under Western pressure. “Unfortunately, there are still people who exploit the authorities’ efforts to strengthen public solidarity and tolerance,” he says. Nikoyan adds that such “unfounded statements” are only delaying the release of the Ter-Petrosian loyalists remaining in prison.
Suren Abrahamian, an opposition politician and a former interior minister, tells “Zhamanak” that Armenia’s current rulers have become “hostages to criminal elements.” “The underworld, individuals with nicknames have penetrated various government structures, and unfortunately, that is an easier way of clinging to power,” he claims. “I don’t like it when they speak of a ‘strong government.’ Strong against whom? Against their own, unarmed people? … It’s the state that must be strong.” Abrahamian also dismisses as “nonsense” government pledges to reduce corruption.
(Aghasi Yenokian)
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun” says that every Armenian “more or less” interested in politics is now wondering what will happen at the December 1-2 OSCE summit in Astana, which could prove decisive for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “The problem is that our society’s reaction to possible scenarios of events is not adequate, to put it mildly,” writes the paper.
“Since 2008, the Russian Federation has been openly attempting to underline its leadership of the [Karabakh] conflict resolution,” opposition deputy Stepan Safarian tells “168 Zham.” “And these trilateral meetings organized by the Russian president and treated by the West with quite a bit of jealousy are not accidental. And on this issue Russia can count on Azerbaijan’s backing for the simple reason that that country is blackmailing the Minsk Group, complaining about its inefficacy.” Safarian insists that there is “rivalry” between Russia and Western powers in the Karabakh peace process.
Speaking to “Hayots Ashkhar,” deputy parliament speaker Samvel Nikoyan attacks opposition leaders and media for claiming that the Armenian authorities are gradually freeing jailed oppositionists under Western pressure. “Unfortunately, there are still people who exploit the authorities’ efforts to strengthen public solidarity and tolerance,” he says. Nikoyan adds that such “unfounded statements” are only delaying the release of the Ter-Petrosian loyalists remaining in prison.
Suren Abrahamian, an opposition politician and a former interior minister, tells “Zhamanak” that Armenia’s current rulers have become “hostages to criminal elements.” “The underworld, individuals with nicknames have penetrated various government structures, and unfortunately, that is an easier way of clinging to power,” he claims. “I don’t like it when they speak of a ‘strong government.’ Strong against whom? Against their own, unarmed people? … It’s the state that must be strong.” Abrahamian also dismisses as “nonsense” government pledges to reduce corruption.
(Aghasi Yenokian)