Lragir.am tries to explain why former President Robert Kocharian would want to return to the political arena. “One factor is a lust for power,” writes the online journal. “The guy just doesn’t want to be far away from real power and is trying to come back as soon as possible. Another factor could be a sense of responsibility for the country. He [presumably] sees that Serzh Sarkisian is unable to govern efficiently, that there are problems on the domestic and external fronts, dangers hanging over state interests -- and regards the main opposition also as a danger -- and is therefore trying to return and rectify the situation. And finally, it could be that Robert Kocharian is simply concerned about his future.” Kocharian may be worried that Sarkisian could eventually “sacrifice” him, speculates the paper.
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun” says that the Armenian authorities are doing everything to prevent civic and other non-governmental organizations from achieving any results. “Therefore, both our analysts and individuals coming up with civic initiatives must admit that solutions to all problems in Armenia hinge on one very important issue: the formation of a legitimate government,” the pro-opposition daily says, attacking those intellectuals who do not want to openly support the opposition. Their “neutrality” plays into the regime’s hands and delays solutions to problems facing the country. “One must not be afraid of having political views because that is the constitutional right of all citizens and not just a privilege of politicians,” it says.
“Hraparak” comments on nationwide rallies organized by businessman and politician Tigran Karapetian, whose ALM television will be taken off the air this week. “One can certainly argue over the numbers [of rally participants,] but the fact is that ALM has surprised us with its street activity,” editorializes the paper. “It’s not that people are eager to see ALM remain on air. It’s just that the extent of public disaffection is so great that anyone can now get people to take to the streets.”
Interviewed by “Hayots Ashkhar,” a spokesman for Nagorno-Karabakh President Bako Sahakian seeks to disprove Freedom House claims that Karabakh is “not free” anymore. Davit Babayan specifically dismisses the New York-based group’s argument that none of the parties that contest the last Karabakh parliamentary elections is in opposition to the Stepanakert government. Babayan argues that the Karabakh authorities did not prevent anyone from contesting the polls which he says were free and fair. There are simply no parties opposed to them at present, he says.
But as Gegham Baghdasarian, a former Karabakh parliamentarian, tells “Aravot,” the Freedom House characterizations are not quite unfounded. “There were fantastic conditions for our development and you have to be inept to achieve such results from that starting point,” he says.
(Aghasi Yenokian)
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun” says that the Armenian authorities are doing everything to prevent civic and other non-governmental organizations from achieving any results. “Therefore, both our analysts and individuals coming up with civic initiatives must admit that solutions to all problems in Armenia hinge on one very important issue: the formation of a legitimate government,” the pro-opposition daily says, attacking those intellectuals who do not want to openly support the opposition. Their “neutrality” plays into the regime’s hands and delays solutions to problems facing the country. “One must not be afraid of having political views because that is the constitutional right of all citizens and not just a privilege of politicians,” it says.
“Hraparak” comments on nationwide rallies organized by businessman and politician Tigran Karapetian, whose ALM television will be taken off the air this week. “One can certainly argue over the numbers [of rally participants,] but the fact is that ALM has surprised us with its street activity,” editorializes the paper. “It’s not that people are eager to see ALM remain on air. It’s just that the extent of public disaffection is so great that anyone can now get people to take to the streets.”
Interviewed by “Hayots Ashkhar,” a spokesman for Nagorno-Karabakh President Bako Sahakian seeks to disprove Freedom House claims that Karabakh is “not free” anymore. Davit Babayan specifically dismisses the New York-based group’s argument that none of the parties that contest the last Karabakh parliamentary elections is in opposition to the Stepanakert government. Babayan argues that the Karabakh authorities did not prevent anyone from contesting the polls which he says were free and fair. There are simply no parties opposed to them at present, he says.
But as Gegham Baghdasarian, a former Karabakh parliamentarian, tells “Aravot,” the Freedom House characterizations are not quite unfounded. “There were fantastic conditions for our development and you have to be inept to achieve such results from that starting point,” he says.
(Aghasi Yenokian)