Russian political analyst Alla Yaskova tells “Zhamanak” that the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Armenia’s socioeconomic woes are increasing chances of regime change in Yerevan. “Former President Levon Ter-Petrosian’s chances are especially big,” she says. Yaskova hopes that the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents will sign a peace accord at the upcoming OSCE summit in Kazakhstan. “The other option is a military solution [to the Karabakh conflict,]” she says. “And nothing good would come out of that.”
“Hayots Ashkhar” denounces the Ter-Petrosian-led opposition as an Azerbaijani “fifth column” as it comments on its latest rally in Yerevan held two days after Azerbaijan’s disputed parliamentary elections. The pro-government paper says holding anti-government rallies in “the current complicated and volatile international situation” is unpatriotic.
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun” is scathing about government pledges to root out corrupt practices affecting the Armenian economy. “Amazingly, they never give concrete answers to concrete questions raised about the economy,” writes the pro-opposition daily. “For example, we can raise two such questions. Is there a country other than Armenia in the world where a pension is below the minimum consumer basket and whose gold deposits have been illegally exploited by some foreign firms for six years? Is there any other country that imports natural gas for $180 [per thousand cubic meters] at the border and sells it to the population for $366? … The people know the answers to these questions very well.”
“Hraparak” reports that yet another man serving a prison sentence in Armenia has committed suicide. “In essence, suicide has become a solution in Armenia,” comments the paper. “Those who can’t solve their problems, who are tired of fighting, sick and tired of living commit suicide. They do so in all age categories.” It says that “public desperation” is the main factor driving people to kill themselves.
(Tigran Avetisian)
“Hayots Ashkhar” denounces the Ter-Petrosian-led opposition as an Azerbaijani “fifth column” as it comments on its latest rally in Yerevan held two days after Azerbaijan’s disputed parliamentary elections. The pro-government paper says holding anti-government rallies in “the current complicated and volatile international situation” is unpatriotic.
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun” is scathing about government pledges to root out corrupt practices affecting the Armenian economy. “Amazingly, they never give concrete answers to concrete questions raised about the economy,” writes the pro-opposition daily. “For example, we can raise two such questions. Is there a country other than Armenia in the world where a pension is below the minimum consumer basket and whose gold deposits have been illegally exploited by some foreign firms for six years? Is there any other country that imports natural gas for $180 [per thousand cubic meters] at the border and sells it to the population for $366? … The people know the answers to these questions very well.”
“Hraparak” reports that yet another man serving a prison sentence in Armenia has committed suicide. “In essence, suicide has become a solution in Armenia,” comments the paper. “Those who can’t solve their problems, who are tired of fighting, sick and tired of living commit suicide. They do so in all age categories.” It says that “public desperation” is the main factor driving people to kill themselves.
(Tigran Avetisian)