Armen Harutiunian, the state human rights ombudsman, tells “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” that the amnesty planned by the Armenian authorities will be meaningless unless it applies to the arrested opposition members. Harutiunian says their continued imprisonment would preclude a “consolidation” of Armenian society still reeling from last year’s post-election unrest.
Deputy parliament speaker Samvel Nikoyan tells “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” that members of the now defunct Fact-Finding Group of Experts are now free to publicize any fact related to the March 2008 violence in Yerevan. “I think that is not being done now because there are no elections coming up and because the radicals have gone on a three-month vacation,” Nikoyan says in a jibe at the group’s two opposition members.
In an interview with “Kapital,” Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian says the key to eradicating corruption within tax authorities is to provide future tax officials studying in Armenian universities with decent student accommodation and good education. “If they gain knowledge they will serve the fatherland with honor,” says Sarkisian. “That is, they will have a high intellectual level and skills, which will substantially reduce corruption risks.”
“I don’t like democracy, I don’t believe in it,” Levon Igitian, a prominent architect elected to Yerevan’s new municipal council on the ruling Republican Party’s ticket, tells Lragir.am. “Thanks to that democracy two men can go to a church and get married when there are so many gorgeous women around. A man goes to bed with another man. Is that what democracy is all about?” Igitian also says that he is convinced that the Republican Mayor Gagik Beglarian will do so well that “there will be no need for an election campaign in four years’ time.” “Gagik Beglarian is a guy with an iron fist,” he says. “Our reality requires this kind of a man. A strong guy. I respect strong men.”
(Aghasi Yenokian)
Deputy parliament speaker Samvel Nikoyan tells “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” that members of the now defunct Fact-Finding Group of Experts are now free to publicize any fact related to the March 2008 violence in Yerevan. “I think that is not being done now because there are no elections coming up and because the radicals have gone on a three-month vacation,” Nikoyan says in a jibe at the group’s two opposition members.
In an interview with “Kapital,” Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian says the key to eradicating corruption within tax authorities is to provide future tax officials studying in Armenian universities with decent student accommodation and good education. “If they gain knowledge they will serve the fatherland with honor,” says Sarkisian. “That is, they will have a high intellectual level and skills, which will substantially reduce corruption risks.”
“I don’t like democracy, I don’t believe in it,” Levon Igitian, a prominent architect elected to Yerevan’s new municipal council on the ruling Republican Party’s ticket, tells Lragir.am. “Thanks to that democracy two men can go to a church and get married when there are so many gorgeous women around. A man goes to bed with another man. Is that what democracy is all about?” Igitian also says that he is convinced that the Republican Mayor Gagik Beglarian will do so well that “there will be no need for an election campaign in four years’ time.” “Gagik Beglarian is a guy with an iron fist,” he says. “Our reality requires this kind of a man. A strong guy. I respect strong men.”
(Aghasi Yenokian)