In its editorial “Aravot” attempts to identify the forces interested in Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s failure to achieve peace.
“Certain circles in Russia can be suspected from among the outside forces, but, of course, it would be unwise to put the blame on the Russians for the decade-long delay in the conflict settlement. If the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan really wanted to turn over this page of history, no Russian could prevent them from doing that,” the paper’s editor writes.
“It is obvious that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Robert Kocharian and Ilham Aliev, do not want that. The current status suits them well. There is also a purely political interest. They can say any moment -- look, we are a country at war and those who criticize us play into the enemy’s hands -- thus restricting democratic freedoms,” he adds.
In its turn, “Hayots Ashkhar” editorializes on the claims by the former president’s loyalists about his plans to make a political comeback: “Every such statement significantly reduces the former president’s chances. Knowing those who want Levon Ter-Petrosian’s return to big politics, even his last supporters will turn away from him.” The paper’s editor considers it a pre-planned provocation from the HHSh (Armenian National Movement) activists to let their boss down.”
“Iskakan Iravunk” cites sources close to the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) and writes that the party’s elite is concerned over Levon Ter-Petrosian’s contacts with businesspeople and officials as the HHK fear that the first president of Armenia will be successful in stealing some of the bearers of administrative and financial resources or recruiting them as his hidden supporters. “It is already several weeks that through loyalists within the law-enforcement system the HHK has been gathering information against the officials and large businessmen who were spotted to have contacts with Ter-Petrosian and his close surroundings,” the paper writes, without excluding strict sanctions against such people in the near future.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” writes that Nagorno-Karabakh’s outgoing President Arkady Ghukasian will not be the only one leaving after last month’s presidential election: “Anushavan Danielian, who has served as Nagorno-Karabakh’s prime minister since July 1999, will also leave as a result of the elections. Danielian is unlikely to stay in Nagorno-Karabakh where he even has no apartment. He may relocate to Armenia to get a post here.”
The same paper writes about an incident that recently occurred on Lake Sevan between MP General Seyran Saroyan and his bodyguards and close associates of MP Spartak Melikian, who was elected to parliament on the HHK list. According to the paper, Saroyan’s bodyguards approached Melikian’s men and tried to call them to order when they behaved outrageously. “According to trustworthy information, Melikian’s men did not recognize the general and picked a fight with him. As a result, Saroyan’s guys beat up Melikian’s people.” According to the paper, after the incident Melikian phoned Saroyan and asked him to close the case only to hear curses in reply.
(Atom Markarian)
“Certain circles in Russia can be suspected from among the outside forces, but, of course, it would be unwise to put the blame on the Russians for the decade-long delay in the conflict settlement. If the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan really wanted to turn over this page of history, no Russian could prevent them from doing that,” the paper’s editor writes.
“It is obvious that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Robert Kocharian and Ilham Aliev, do not want that. The current status suits them well. There is also a purely political interest. They can say any moment -- look, we are a country at war and those who criticize us play into the enemy’s hands -- thus restricting democratic freedoms,” he adds.
In its turn, “Hayots Ashkhar” editorializes on the claims by the former president’s loyalists about his plans to make a political comeback: “Every such statement significantly reduces the former president’s chances. Knowing those who want Levon Ter-Petrosian’s return to big politics, even his last supporters will turn away from him.” The paper’s editor considers it a pre-planned provocation from the HHSh (Armenian National Movement) activists to let their boss down.”
“Iskakan Iravunk” cites sources close to the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) and writes that the party’s elite is concerned over Levon Ter-Petrosian’s contacts with businesspeople and officials as the HHK fear that the first president of Armenia will be successful in stealing some of the bearers of administrative and financial resources or recruiting them as his hidden supporters. “It is already several weeks that through loyalists within the law-enforcement system the HHK has been gathering information against the officials and large businessmen who were spotted to have contacts with Ter-Petrosian and his close surroundings,” the paper writes, without excluding strict sanctions against such people in the near future.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” writes that Nagorno-Karabakh’s outgoing President Arkady Ghukasian will not be the only one leaving after last month’s presidential election: “Anushavan Danielian, who has served as Nagorno-Karabakh’s prime minister since July 1999, will also leave as a result of the elections. Danielian is unlikely to stay in Nagorno-Karabakh where he even has no apartment. He may relocate to Armenia to get a post here.”
The same paper writes about an incident that recently occurred on Lake Sevan between MP General Seyran Saroyan and his bodyguards and close associates of MP Spartak Melikian, who was elected to parliament on the HHK list. According to the paper, Saroyan’s bodyguards approached Melikian’s men and tried to call them to order when they behaved outrageously. “According to trustworthy information, Melikian’s men did not recognize the general and picked a fight with him. As a result, Saroyan’s guys beat up Melikian’s people.” According to the paper, after the incident Melikian phoned Saroyan and asked him to close the case only to hear curses in reply.
(Atom Markarian)