“Armenia has all the institutions of independent statehood but they do not function in a way they do in mature and sovereign states,” “Zhamanak” writes in a commentary on the 21st anniversary of the country’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. “Furthermore, they have a largely formal character as the country’s real independence has long been sold, handed or gifted to Russia … Could we imagine this 21 years ago when we overwhelmingly said yes to our independence [in a referendum?] Of course, not.”
“Aravot” complains that Armenians often bad-mouth their state when they are unhappy with their government. “Our profound grievances must absolutely not denigrate the fact that we Armenians have a state, something which much larger nations have been dreaming about for centuries,” editorializes the paper.
“During the 21 years of independence Armenia has had numerous achievements and painful losses,” writes “Orakarg.” “The greatest achievement was the declaration of independent statehood itself. The other great achievement was the victory in Artsakh. The biggest loss of the past decade has been the emigration of more than 1 million Armenians from Armenia.”
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun” says a criminal investigation into what military prosecutors say was fraud and corrupt practices in meat supplies to Armenian army units could reflect negatively on their combat readiness. “Millions of dollars were embezzled as a result,” writes the paper. It says the state has also lost much greater sums in fraud scams involving high-ranking officials. That money could have also been channeled into the armed forces. “The war [with Azerbaijan] seems to be really inevitable,” continues the pro-opposition daily. “This means it is time to sober up. It’s the society, not ministers following Serzh Sarkisian’s orders, who must sober up in the face of the war prospect.”
(Tigran Avetisian)
“Aravot” complains that Armenians often bad-mouth their state when they are unhappy with their government. “Our profound grievances must absolutely not denigrate the fact that we Armenians have a state, something which much larger nations have been dreaming about for centuries,” editorializes the paper.
“During the 21 years of independence Armenia has had numerous achievements and painful losses,” writes “Orakarg.” “The greatest achievement was the declaration of independent statehood itself. The other great achievement was the victory in Artsakh. The biggest loss of the past decade has been the emigration of more than 1 million Armenians from Armenia.”
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun” says a criminal investigation into what military prosecutors say was fraud and corrupt practices in meat supplies to Armenian army units could reflect negatively on their combat readiness. “Millions of dollars were embezzled as a result,” writes the paper. It says the state has also lost much greater sums in fraud scams involving high-ranking officials. That money could have also been channeled into the armed forces. “The war [with Azerbaijan] seems to be really inevitable,” continues the pro-opposition daily. “This means it is time to sober up. It’s the society, not ministers following Serzh Sarkisian’s orders, who must sober up in the face of the war prospect.”
(Tigran Avetisian)