“Politicians portraying themselves as devoted democrats and liberals keep saying that Armenia can play a pivotal role in the region, become actively involved in all [regional] programs,” writes “Hayots Ashkhar.” “That [according to them] requires only one thing: they must come to power. After that reforms will go very smoothly. Corruption will automatically vanish, justice will be restored, a kingdom of law and order will take hold … It is noteworthy that the more obvious the current authorities’ successes become, the tougher the criticism they face.”
“Although the situation in Armenia has long been revolution-prone, the people are very passive not because they don’t trust the opposition but because they don’t believe in the consolidation and unification of the opposition,” writes “Taregir.” “Part of the radical opposition is clearly of the opinion that Levon Ter-Petrosian is the man who can ensure progress in Armenia. But another section of the opposition is openly against Ter-Petrosian’s [presidential] candidacy and insists on behalf of the latter that the first president will not stand.”
“Aravot” notes, meanwhile, that Ter-Petrosian’s participation in the 2008 presidential election would make its outcome more unpredictable. “If Ter-Petrosian doesn’t run -- the likelihood of which is very high -- then it is Serzh Sarkisian who will become president,” the paper says.
“Iskakan Iravunk” says Ter-Petrosian’s comeback would mean “emergency assistance to the old opposition.” “Many [opposition leaders] are still unable to give up their ambitions, while others are psychologically unable to overcome their stereotypes and realize that a totally new situation exists in the country now,” editorializes the paper. “They have still not realized that the consolidation of the opposition camp and development of serious programs are inevitable and, at the end of the day, urgent.”
“Zhamanak Yerevan” reports that a special state commission on Thursday turned down its imprisoned editor Arman Babajanian’s request for parole. “Arman Babajanian meets all written and unwritten requirements,” comments the paper. “Furthermore, he has problems with health and is also a journalist, a newspaper editor. Many intellectuals and journalists vouched for him.” The commission’s decision was therefore “arbitrary.” “Starting from today, Arman Babajanian will go on an indefinite hunger strike,” adds “Zhamanak Yerevan.”
(Atom Markarian)
“Although the situation in Armenia has long been revolution-prone, the people are very passive not because they don’t trust the opposition but because they don’t believe in the consolidation and unification of the opposition,” writes “Taregir.” “Part of the radical opposition is clearly of the opinion that Levon Ter-Petrosian is the man who can ensure progress in Armenia. But another section of the opposition is openly against Ter-Petrosian’s [presidential] candidacy and insists on behalf of the latter that the first president will not stand.”
“Aravot” notes, meanwhile, that Ter-Petrosian’s participation in the 2008 presidential election would make its outcome more unpredictable. “If Ter-Petrosian doesn’t run -- the likelihood of which is very high -- then it is Serzh Sarkisian who will become president,” the paper says.
“Iskakan Iravunk” says Ter-Petrosian’s comeback would mean “emergency assistance to the old opposition.” “Many [opposition leaders] are still unable to give up their ambitions, while others are psychologically unable to overcome their stereotypes and realize that a totally new situation exists in the country now,” editorializes the paper. “They have still not realized that the consolidation of the opposition camp and development of serious programs are inevitable and, at the end of the day, urgent.”
“Zhamanak Yerevan” reports that a special state commission on Thursday turned down its imprisoned editor Arman Babajanian’s request for parole. “Arman Babajanian meets all written and unwritten requirements,” comments the paper. “Furthermore, he has problems with health and is also a journalist, a newspaper editor. Many intellectuals and journalists vouched for him.” The commission’s decision was therefore “arbitrary.” “Starting from today, Arman Babajanian will go on an indefinite hunger strike,” adds “Zhamanak Yerevan.”
(Atom Markarian)