Մատչելիության հղումներ

Press Review


“Yerkir” believes that Armenia’s political elite lacks the “public legitimacy” and will hardly have one anytime soon. “In the public sense, the opposition too has lost its legitimacy,” writes the paper.

“Ayb-Fe” issues an emotional appeal to the opposition. “The population has done everything for you, whereas you are not paying back in any way,” laments the weekly publication of the closed A1+ TV station. “Willy nilly you play into the regime’s hands and from time to time help to defuse the tense situation and prolong the ruling regime’s life.” The opposition failed to capitalize on “the powerful wave of discontent,” says the paper, calling for new “practical steps.”

“There are indeed no actions on the part of the opposition,” one of its leaders, Vazgen Manukian, tells “Hayots Ashkhar.” “The steps that were being taken and justified until April 12 lead nowhere. A repeat of them will not yield any results. A new tactic is needed.” As for the government, it is now even more “impudent” than before the opposition’s ill-fated spring campaign, adds Manukian. “I have never seen such a stagnation in my life.”

“Iravunk” says that Armenians may be heading for greater socioeconomic hardship and a “severe winter.” In particular, Armenia’s trade with Russia has been hit hard by the closure of the Russian-Georgian border crossing. “Very soon that will reflect on prices in the consumer market.” The situation on the domestic political front also indicates stormy times ahead, making regime change possible even in the event of opposition inactivity.

“Azg” writes that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has entered “a phase of diplomatic war” as evidenced by the speeches delivered to the UN General Assembly by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev and Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian. “The threats exchanged by the conflicting parties do not indicate that a settlement is in sight,” says the paper.

“Haykakan Zhamanak” says the construction of a new railway connecting Georgia and Azerbaijan to Turkey would have grave consequences for Armenia. “If this plan becomes a reality Armenia will turn from a state into a plot of land,” it claims gloomily.

“Hayots Ashkhar” also sees the railway project as a “challenge to Armenia.” “Armenia must take coordinated steps to scuttle the Turkish-Georgian-Azerbaijani rail deal.” Yerevan should seek the European Union’s interference in what the paper sees as a Turkish plot to “perpetuate Armenia’s blockade with European money.” The Americans and the Russians should also be asked to step in. “The United States has always tried to open the Turkish-Armenian border gate. But how will it achieve that objective in the future if the projected Kars-Akhalkalaki railway becomes a trump card in Turkey’s hands for substantiating the uselessness of the Kars-Gyumri line?”

(Vache Sarkisian)
XS
SM
MD
LG