“The authorities have begun to reap the fruits of the seeds sown by themselves because it was natural that the opposition, having been deprived of the sole free TV tribune, will have to take to the streets in order to get its message across to the bigger audience,” writes “Aravot.” It also notes that organizers of Friday’s rally did not come up with a clear strategy of taking on the Kocharian government.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” says the only news announced at the rally was that the authorities have rejected the opposition ultimatum. Opposition leaders essentially repeated their earlier anti-Kocharian statements. The paper says they run the risk of disappointing their angry supporters and should instead learn lessons from the events in Venezuela where the opposition has succeeded in ousting President Hugo Chavez. It notes that the opposition demonstrations there were sparked by Chavez’s attempts to silence independent television stations.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” reports that the Armenian Communist Party decided not to take part in Friday’s rally and further opposition actions in support of the A1+ television. The decision was taken by the party’s ruling Bureau. Three of its members walked out of the bureau meeting in protest, according to the paper.
“Hayots Ashkhar” dismisses the rally as “childish games” and says there were fewer opposition leaders addressing it.
“Golos Armenii” questions intellectual capabilities of the opposition leaders. What they are trying to do is to “shake the boat as much as possible in order to get their slice of the pie.” The paper claims that Levon Ter-Petrosian and his HHSh are behind the opposition movement. It says they want to show Western powers that Armenians want a change of leadership in a bid to get funding for their election campaign.
“Or” agrees that the rally organizers “did not say anything essential.” Still, the paper writes that “the social and psychological situation in Armenia is extremely tense” and none of the political groups is trying to defuse it. The opposition is trying to make the most of A1+’s closure. The state commission that took the channel off the air thus paid a lip service to Kocharian.
“Aravot” runs a commentary saying that Ter-Petrosian’s return to active politics is a “historical necessity.” It says that only Ter-Petrosian is able to complete the state-building process in Armenia which began under his rule.
(Vache Sarkisian)
“Haykakan Zhamanak” says the only news announced at the rally was that the authorities have rejected the opposition ultimatum. Opposition leaders essentially repeated their earlier anti-Kocharian statements. The paper says they run the risk of disappointing their angry supporters and should instead learn lessons from the events in Venezuela where the opposition has succeeded in ousting President Hugo Chavez. It notes that the opposition demonstrations there were sparked by Chavez’s attempts to silence independent television stations.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” reports that the Armenian Communist Party decided not to take part in Friday’s rally and further opposition actions in support of the A1+ television. The decision was taken by the party’s ruling Bureau. Three of its members walked out of the bureau meeting in protest, according to the paper.
“Hayots Ashkhar” dismisses the rally as “childish games” and says there were fewer opposition leaders addressing it.
“Golos Armenii” questions intellectual capabilities of the opposition leaders. What they are trying to do is to “shake the boat as much as possible in order to get their slice of the pie.” The paper claims that Levon Ter-Petrosian and his HHSh are behind the opposition movement. It says they want to show Western powers that Armenians want a change of leadership in a bid to get funding for their election campaign.
“Or” agrees that the rally organizers “did not say anything essential.” Still, the paper writes that “the social and psychological situation in Armenia is extremely tense” and none of the political groups is trying to defuse it. The opposition is trying to make the most of A1+’s closure. The state commission that took the channel off the air thus paid a lip service to Kocharian.
“Aravot” runs a commentary saying that Ter-Petrosian’s return to active politics is a “historical necessity.” It says that only Ter-Petrosian is able to complete the state-building process in Armenia which began under his rule.
(Vache Sarkisian)