“According to some reports, Serzh Sarkisian met with Robert Kocharian at the head of a small delegation and offered him to step down as early as this September,” writes “Hayk.” “Serzh Sarkisian said in that case the opposition would be unable to put up serious resistance to the ruling clan. Kocharian sharply rebuffed Sarkisian and made it clear that he has totally different plans. Kocharian was also infuriated by the fact that Sarkisian offered him to run the All-Armenian Fund Hayastan after his resignation.”
“Kocharian reminded Sarkisian that it is still too early to talk about a single government candidate [in the 2008 presidential election,]” adds “Hayk.” “Moreover, he said that in his view it would be much better if he was replaced by Vartan Oskanian.”
According to “Haykakan Zhamanak,” retaining government levers without having to bear responsibility for government policies was a dream come true for the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun). The paper says Dashnaktsutyun can now easily “use possibilities created by power to the party’s benefit” and at the same time criticize the government and score points. It recalls the nationalist party’s ambiguous stance on Armenia’s secession from the Soviet Union that was debated in 1990-1991. “This situation is ideal for the party. They are neither in government, nor in opposition. They are neither inside, nor outside the coalition. Where are they?”
“Azg” attacks the Ministry of Education (headed by Dashnaktsutyun’s Levon Mkrtchian) over its handling of traditionally tense admission exams to state universities, a process that has long been dogged by corruption allegations. The process will now be administered by a special commission comprising Mkrtchian, several other top ministry officials and a representative of the National Security Service (NSS). “In a word, the Soviet traditions and management systems are continuing,” comments the paper. “The government is dealing with university admission exams. A ludicrous and equally inappropriate function which the authorities continue to carry on their shoulders with great pleasure and readiness.”
(Armen Dulian)
“Kocharian reminded Sarkisian that it is still too early to talk about a single government candidate [in the 2008 presidential election,]” adds “Hayk.” “Moreover, he said that in his view it would be much better if he was replaced by Vartan Oskanian.”
According to “Haykakan Zhamanak,” retaining government levers without having to bear responsibility for government policies was a dream come true for the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun). The paper says Dashnaktsutyun can now easily “use possibilities created by power to the party’s benefit” and at the same time criticize the government and score points. It recalls the nationalist party’s ambiguous stance on Armenia’s secession from the Soviet Union that was debated in 1990-1991. “This situation is ideal for the party. They are neither in government, nor in opposition. They are neither inside, nor outside the coalition. Where are they?”
“Azg” attacks the Ministry of Education (headed by Dashnaktsutyun’s Levon Mkrtchian) over its handling of traditionally tense admission exams to state universities, a process that has long been dogged by corruption allegations. The process will now be administered by a special commission comprising Mkrtchian, several other top ministry officials and a representative of the National Security Service (NSS). “In a word, the Soviet traditions and management systems are continuing,” comments the paper. “The government is dealing with university admission exams. A ludicrous and equally inappropriate function which the authorities continue to carry on their shoulders with great pleasure and readiness.”
(Armen Dulian)