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Press Review


Opposition lawmaker Victor Dallakian tells “Aravot” that a new party set up by “oligarch” Gagik Tsarukian “may become a serious political force that will play a large role in Armenia’s public and political life.” But Dallakian declines to comment on rumors that he will join and lead the party soon.

Another oppositionist, Artashes Geghamian, tells “Ayb-Fe” about his National Unity Party’s perceived achievements in 2005. Geghamian says the party’s pre-referendum and post-referendum tactics proved to be justified and “all of our predictions have become a reality.” “Secondly, the people have demonstrated their consolidation against these authorities and overwhelmingly boycotted the November 27 referendum,” he says. He says the referendum demonstrated that the regime’s sole support base is “criminal elements.

“Haykakan Zhamanak” wonders whether opposition dissenter Shavarsh Kocharian’s stance can be considered “principled.” “There is serious reason to doubt this,” writes the paper, pointing to Kocharian’s continuing televised interviews in which he attacks his opposition allies. “In the process, he does not ask himself why our TV companies were not so attentive to him one or two years ago … If he hasn’t asked himself, it means he knows the answer: he is just a showman in a show nicely organized by the authorities.”

“Hayots Ashkhar” predicts further splits within the Artarutyun alliance, pointing to growing differences between Stepan Demirchian and Aram Sarkisian. The paper consider this the most important development within the opposition camp of 2005.

“It is clear that the main target of Dashnaktsutyun criticism in the forthcoming year 2006 will be the government of Andranik Markarian,” writes “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun.” The paper says the Dashnaks have decided to create an “opposition image” for themselves ahead of the 2007 elections. “The thing is that the Dashnaks are well aware that the existing administrative resources are not enough for winning a majority in the parliament.” Nor are they popular enough to win the election, says the paper. “It is a bit hard to believe that the electorate will trust a political force that bears responsibility for all the illegalities of the last eight years.”

“Iravunk” says the number of pro-government individuals seeking ministerial posts and parliament mandates is “becoming extremely large.” “So many [political] units will never be able to divide the seats among themselves. Robert Kocharian will therefore find himself in a beneficial position by acting as an arbiter settling those issues.” The paper says this will allow Kocharian to ward off the “dangers of intra-government coups.”

(Armen Dulian)
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