“It is thus becoming clear that the international fight against terrorism has not yet produced tangible results,” writes “Aravot, commenting on Thursday’s deadly bomb attacks in London. “Hundreds of millions of euros were spent on the security of the G8 summit [in Scotland]. But how to protect ordinary Britons using metro and buses?”
“If a ‘color’ revolution breaks out in Azerbaijan everything will be done for sparking a similar revolution in Armenia because the so-called principle of parity is always applied to Armenia and Azerbaijan,” writes “Iravunk” in a commentary on the October parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. The paper also makes the point that constitutional reform is good for President Robert Kocharian because he is “on his way out” and does not mind earning a reformer’s image at the end of his rule. “It is equally evident that the reform is not beneficial for Serzh Sarkisian because it leads to a certain decentralization of government levers and administrative resources.”
“Aravot” thinks that Kocharian’s pledge to accept the constitutional amendments proposed by the Council of Europe has thrown the opposition Artarutyun alliance into disarray and uncertainty. Some oppositionists feel that they now have a face-saving opportunity to end the boycott of parliament, while others note that the main causes of that boycott have not been addressed by the ruling regime.
As “Ayb-Fe” reports, one of the opposition groups, Hanrapetutyun, has already decided to continue the boycott. The move is deplored by Tigran Torosian, one of the leaders of the parliament’s pro-Kocharian majority.
“This is a real scourge, something which is hampering our progress,” Ruben Hovsepian, a writer and parliament deputy from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), tells “Yerkir,” referring to corruption in Armenia. But he says fighting against corruption is “not so much the task of the state as that of the society.” “For even if assume the existence of a just and caring government, there is nothing it can do without the public’s participation,” he says. “We all know what’s going on but none of us can put that on the table of justice.”
“Azg” reports on the mysterious worsening of the quality of mobile phone service provided by the ArmenTel operator. “It again turns out that we are paying or have to pay for something which doesn’t exist,” comments the paper.
“The level of corruption in Georgia in the past and at the moment can be described as a difference between the earth and the sky,” Van Bayburt, a leader of the Georgian-Armenian community, tells “Haykakan Zhamanak.” Asked whether Armenia too needs a revolution to combat corruption effectively, he replies, “The situation in Armenia is totally different. Armenia is a more organized state. At least, I don’t smell a revolution in Armenia.” Bayburt is also asked to comment on growing rumors about Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili’s womanizing behavior. “Saakashvili is a pure intellectual,” he explains. “He is a very courtly, young and passionate man, and he greatly enjoys looking at women.” The parliamentarian considers that a “necessary therapy” for politicians, concluding: “If a beautiful woman walks by and a politician doesn’t look at her, such a leader is very dangerous.”
(Hrach Melkumian)
“If a ‘color’ revolution breaks out in Azerbaijan everything will be done for sparking a similar revolution in Armenia because the so-called principle of parity is always applied to Armenia and Azerbaijan,” writes “Iravunk” in a commentary on the October parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. The paper also makes the point that constitutional reform is good for President Robert Kocharian because he is “on his way out” and does not mind earning a reformer’s image at the end of his rule. “It is equally evident that the reform is not beneficial for Serzh Sarkisian because it leads to a certain decentralization of government levers and administrative resources.”
“Aravot” thinks that Kocharian’s pledge to accept the constitutional amendments proposed by the Council of Europe has thrown the opposition Artarutyun alliance into disarray and uncertainty. Some oppositionists feel that they now have a face-saving opportunity to end the boycott of parliament, while others note that the main causes of that boycott have not been addressed by the ruling regime.
As “Ayb-Fe” reports, one of the opposition groups, Hanrapetutyun, has already decided to continue the boycott. The move is deplored by Tigran Torosian, one of the leaders of the parliament’s pro-Kocharian majority.
“This is a real scourge, something which is hampering our progress,” Ruben Hovsepian, a writer and parliament deputy from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), tells “Yerkir,” referring to corruption in Armenia. But he says fighting against corruption is “not so much the task of the state as that of the society.” “For even if assume the existence of a just and caring government, there is nothing it can do without the public’s participation,” he says. “We all know what’s going on but none of us can put that on the table of justice.”
“Azg” reports on the mysterious worsening of the quality of mobile phone service provided by the ArmenTel operator. “It again turns out that we are paying or have to pay for something which doesn’t exist,” comments the paper.
“The level of corruption in Georgia in the past and at the moment can be described as a difference between the earth and the sky,” Van Bayburt, a leader of the Georgian-Armenian community, tells “Haykakan Zhamanak.” Asked whether Armenia too needs a revolution to combat corruption effectively, he replies, “The situation in Armenia is totally different. Armenia is a more organized state. At least, I don’t smell a revolution in Armenia.” Bayburt is also asked to comment on growing rumors about Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili’s womanizing behavior. “Saakashvili is a pure intellectual,” he explains. “He is a very courtly, young and passionate man, and he greatly enjoys looking at women.” The parliamentarian considers that a “necessary therapy” for politicians, concluding: “If a beautiful woman walks by and a politician doesn’t look at her, such a leader is very dangerous.”
(Hrach Melkumian)