(March 3, Saturday)
“Yerkir” blasts Armenian media commentators and political analysts for deriding just about every idea that is suggested for addressing Armenia’s problems. The paper says they concentrate on the persons or political forces voicing those ideas, rather than their essence. “As a result, they depreciate the idea,” it says.
“Aravot” says political and civic activists must set “feasible” objectives if they are to achieve positive change in Armenia. The paper says they should avoid campaigning for goals that are difficult to achieve. It gives the example of the opposition demands for immediate regime change that followed the release of the last political prisoners in May 2011.
“Hayots Ashkhar” claims that the last rally held by the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) on Friday resembled a farewell party organized by HAK leader Levon Ter-Petrosian.
“Zhamanak” says that by declaring that it regards the May 6 parliamentary elections as a de facto first round of the 2013 presidential vote the HAK put itself at odds with “the whole political field.” The paper argues that no major political actor other than the HAK has made such statements. It says the HAK stance is rendering meaningless joint opposition efforts at electoral reform ahead of the May polls. “Thus, it can be concluded that the Congress is beginning the political year with a message of defiance against the opposition field,” it says.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” condemns the authorities for passing the controversial law on state of emergency on the fourth anniversary of the 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan. The opposition paper considers this to be a show of “disrespect towards the people who were killed and injured on March 1, 2008 and civil Armenia in general.” “It was also a signal that the dictatorial regime intends to hold on to power for long,” says, adding that the authorities will not hesitate to use the army if they risk losing that power.
(Aghasi Yenokian)
“Yerkir” blasts Armenian media commentators and political analysts for deriding just about every idea that is suggested for addressing Armenia’s problems. The paper says they concentrate on the persons or political forces voicing those ideas, rather than their essence. “As a result, they depreciate the idea,” it says.
“Aravot” says political and civic activists must set “feasible” objectives if they are to achieve positive change in Armenia. The paper says they should avoid campaigning for goals that are difficult to achieve. It gives the example of the opposition demands for immediate regime change that followed the release of the last political prisoners in May 2011.
“Hayots Ashkhar” claims that the last rally held by the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) on Friday resembled a farewell party organized by HAK leader Levon Ter-Petrosian.
“Zhamanak” says that by declaring that it regards the May 6 parliamentary elections as a de facto first round of the 2013 presidential vote the HAK put itself at odds with “the whole political field.” The paper argues that no major political actor other than the HAK has made such statements. It says the HAK stance is rendering meaningless joint opposition efforts at electoral reform ahead of the May polls. “Thus, it can be concluded that the Congress is beginning the political year with a message of defiance against the opposition field,” it says.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” condemns the authorities for passing the controversial law on state of emergency on the fourth anniversary of the 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan. The opposition paper considers this to be a show of “disrespect towards the people who were killed and injured on March 1, 2008 and civil Armenia in general.” “It was also a signal that the dictatorial regime intends to hold on to power for long,” says, adding that the authorities will not hesitate to use the army if they risk losing that power.
(Aghasi Yenokian)