“Hayots Ashkhar” complains that only the Armenian Communists will be solemnly marking May Day in Armenia on Friday, arguing that in fact it has long been a holiday for all working people across the world. The paper notes with regret that many Armenians still associate the holiday with the Soviet era and the Communist ideology.
“Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” deplores a widely anticipated further increase in the price of electricity in Armenia. The paper says that the Electricity Networks of Armenia (ENA) utility has become a “black hall” absorbing massive financial losses for which ordinary Armenians have to pay. It believes that it is the ENA’s Russian owner, RAO Unified Energy Systems, which must foot the bill and sort out the company’s financial troubles.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” dismisses government assurances that economic growth in Armenia continued into the first quarter of this year and will continue in the months ahead contrary to gloomy forecasts made by the International Fund and the World Bank. “In reality, our economy is already contracting and that downturn looks set to deepen,” claims the paper.
“Zhoghovurd” reports on the consecration of a new church built in Yerevan by Hirair Hovnanian, an Armenian-American businessman and philanthropist. Hovnanian has also financed the construction of an adjacent building that will serve as a residence for Catholicos Garegin II. The paper quotes the tycoon as telling reporters during the ceremony that the construction project was suggested to him by the leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church. “For me building factories is more important than this,” he said. “This frank confession by the philanthropist exposes the dominant mindset of Armenia’s political and religious leaders regarding the use of Diaspora resources to the benefit of the people,” comments the paper.
“The centenary of the Armenian genocide has given us and our country at least three important things,” editorializes “Azg.” “A national sense of living together; a realization of the importance of pursuing our goals through our statehood, and of our belonging to the humankind seeking justice and not being alone.”
(Tigran Avetisian)