“Haykakan Zhamanak” reports on the continuing closure of the Russian-Georgian border crossing at Upper Lars as a result of a massive mudslide that struck the mountainous area late last month. “Upper Lars is the only and irreplaceable land road connecting Armenia to its main trading partner [Russia,]” writes the paper. “It ensures the bulk of cargo shipments between the two countries. And this lifeline stops functioning during a large part of the year due to blizzards, flooding and snowfalls. Companies and our economy as a whole suffer serious losses as a result. Unfortunately, the [Armenia] authorities do not speak of a radical solution to the problem.” The paper says the authorities should finance a reconstruction of the Upper Lars road.
“Zhoghovurd” dismisses as “ludicrous” statements by some pro-government Armenian politicians downplaying the normalization of Russian-Turkish relations. The paper says that the same politicians predicted late last year that Armenia will draw significant geopolitical benefits from the Russian-Turkish row that was caused by the shooting down of a Russian warplane near the Turkish-Syrian border.
“We, Armenians, have an interesting habit of paying too much attention to statements made by officials from various countries regarding our country or our problems,” writes “Aravot.” “What is the point of discussing those statements, exposing their overtones, and looking for their subtexts?” asks the paper. “It is certainly political scientists’ and analysts’ job to explain to us who meant what.” Armenians should stop taking those statements very seriously, it says.
“Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” mocks statements released by President Serzh Sarkisian and other top officials on the occasion of Armenia’s Constitution Day marked on Tuesday. The paper says that the same officials used the public holiday to have yet another expensive dinner party in a restaurant at taxpayers’ expense.
(Tigran Avetisian)