“Hayots Ashkhar” reports that the latest annual report by the Armenian parliament’s Audit Chamber submitted to the National Assembly lacks the kind of “sensational revelations” that rocked the Armenian political scene in previous years. The paper hits out at those who are disappointed with the chamber’s failure to again allege misuse or embezzlement of public funds by various government agencies.
“At issue is not the quality and quantity of such revelations but attitudes toward them,” the pro-government daily says. It also points out that corruption allegations by the Audit Chamber, media or non-governmental organizations have rarely led to sackings of senior Armenian officials.
“Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” dismisses a more than 13 percent reduction in the price of Russian natural gas delivered to Armenia. The paper argues that the retail price of gas for Armenian households will remain unchanged despite the greater discount offered by Russia’s Gazprom giant. “The unchanged tariffs mean that the reduction of the [wholesale] gas price for Armenia will only increase profits made by Gazprom-Armenia [gas distribution network] and power generating companies,” it says. “And all of them are Russian-owned enterprises.”
(Hovannes Shoghikian)