“Hraparak” rejects official explanations for Russian soldiers’ participation in the Independence Day parade staged in Yerevan on Wednesday. The paper claims that a corresponding statement issued by Deputy Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan was disproportionately deferential towards Armenia’s “big brother.” Tonoyan said that it is wrong to consider Russia an “alien country” given its huge contribution to Armenia’s security.
“Zhamanak” says former Presidents Levon Ter-Petrosian and Robert Kocharian did not accept Serzh Sarkisian’s invitations to attend Independence Day celebrations because they feel that would have allowed the current president to score many points. The pro-opposition paper says the ex-presidents simply avoided a “trap” prepared by Sarkisian.
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun” scoffs at Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian’s references to international reports positively assessing the state of economic affairs in Armenia. “Judging from everything, Tigran Sarkisian does not really understand the situation,” says the opposition paper. “First of all, he does not understand that a government’s job is to create more or less bearable conditions for the people, rather than to clinch good marks from international structures. Second, he does not understand that his government’s opponents are not opposition forces but 95 percent of Armenia’s population.”
Aram Sarkisian, a leader of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK), tells “Aravot” that Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian’s resignation alone would not end non-combat deaths in the armed forces. He says that the tragic phenomenon is closely connected with the political and socioeconomic situations in the country and requires a complex solution. “Each of us is to blame for this situation,” he says.
“Yerkir” criticizes the ruling coalition for continuing to reject opposition demands for the abolition of parliamentary elections in single-mandate constituencies. The paper singles out the argument that the elections should not be held only under the system of proportional representation because Armenian political parties and blocs are still not developed enough. It says coalition representatives thus acknowledge that Armenian forces are not the main political actors in the country.
(Aghasi Yenokian)
“Zhamanak” says former Presidents Levon Ter-Petrosian and Robert Kocharian did not accept Serzh Sarkisian’s invitations to attend Independence Day celebrations because they feel that would have allowed the current president to score many points. The pro-opposition paper says the ex-presidents simply avoided a “trap” prepared by Sarkisian.
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun” scoffs at Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian’s references to international reports positively assessing the state of economic affairs in Armenia. “Judging from everything, Tigran Sarkisian does not really understand the situation,” says the opposition paper. “First of all, he does not understand that a government’s job is to create more or less bearable conditions for the people, rather than to clinch good marks from international structures. Second, he does not understand that his government’s opponents are not opposition forces but 95 percent of Armenia’s population.”
Aram Sarkisian, a leader of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK), tells “Aravot” that Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian’s resignation alone would not end non-combat deaths in the armed forces. He says that the tragic phenomenon is closely connected with the political and socioeconomic situations in the country and requires a complex solution. “Each of us is to blame for this situation,” he says.
“Yerkir” criticizes the ruling coalition for continuing to reject opposition demands for the abolition of parliamentary elections in single-mandate constituencies. The paper singles out the argument that the elections should not be held only under the system of proportional representation because Armenian political parties and blocs are still not developed enough. It says coalition representatives thus acknowledge that Armenian forces are not the main political actors in the country.
(Aghasi Yenokian)