“Hraparak” says the international community rushed to congratulate Serzh Sarkisian on his victory in a presidential election which it says is not recognized as legitimate by Armenians because he is a “predictable president for the outside world.” “During its five-year dealings with him the international community grew convinced that he will not deviate from the path outlined by them and will do whatever they tell him,” speculates the paper. By contrast, it says, Sarkisian’s main opposition challenger, Raffi Hovannisian, is not seen as predictable and trustworthy. It says Hovannisian’s “aggressive” foreign policy agenda and, in particular, his pledges to formally recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state are enough of a reason for him to be unacceptable to the West.
“Hayots Ashkhar” says that the Armenian opposition uses elections only as “a mechanism for launching revolutionary actions.”
“Everybody, including Western ambassadors, is advising Raffi to accept the [official] election results and prepare for the next step: the mayoral elections in Yerevan,” writes “Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun.” “Raffi doesn’t seem to mind.” The paper says one of Hovannisian’s close associates, Armen Martirosian, said on Wednesday that the opposition leader is ready to meet again with President Sarkisian. “There is nothing condemnable about this,” it says. “The only problem is that Raffi Hovannisian should honestly tell his supporters the truth.”
“168 Zham” comments on the public exchange of letters between Sarkisian and Armenian-American rock singer Serj Tankian. The paper says that Sarkisian would have reacted differently if he had received a letter not from a celebrity like Tankian but an Armenian intellectual. It says pro-government intellectuals would have immediately branded him a foreign agent undermining Armenian statehood. “Things are different in the case of Serj Tankian,” adds the paper. “He is internationally acclaimed and respected. It’s not worth spoiling relations with him. And so Serzh Sarkisian replies to Tankian’s letters almost instantly.”
(Tigran Avetisian)
“Hayots Ashkhar” says that the Armenian opposition uses elections only as “a mechanism for launching revolutionary actions.”
“Everybody, including Western ambassadors, is advising Raffi to accept the [official] election results and prepare for the next step: the mayoral elections in Yerevan,” writes “Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun.” “Raffi doesn’t seem to mind.” The paper says one of Hovannisian’s close associates, Armen Martirosian, said on Wednesday that the opposition leader is ready to meet again with President Sarkisian. “There is nothing condemnable about this,” it says. “The only problem is that Raffi Hovannisian should honestly tell his supporters the truth.”
“168 Zham” comments on the public exchange of letters between Sarkisian and Armenian-American rock singer Serj Tankian. The paper says that Sarkisian would have reacted differently if he had received a letter not from a celebrity like Tankian but an Armenian intellectual. It says pro-government intellectuals would have immediately branded him a foreign agent undermining Armenian statehood. “Things are different in the case of Serj Tankian,” adds the paper. “He is internationally acclaimed and respected. It’s not worth spoiling relations with him. And so Serzh Sarkisian replies to Tankian’s letters almost instantly.”
(Tigran Avetisian)