Speaking to “Zhamanak,” Naira Zohrabian, the chairwoman of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), denies suggestions that the BHK is reluctant to actively campaign for the passage of President Serzh Sarkisian’s constitutional amendments despite having endorsed them. “I don’t think that you have to necessarily shout and use all possible platforms in order to substantiate your views,” she says. “We are doing our job in a calm and organized manner.” Zohrabian insists that her party founded by businessman Gagik Tsarukian does “explain” the importance of the constitutional reform to ordinary Armenians.
“Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” believes that government loyalists’ claims that the reform is aimed at making it easier for the people to change Armenia’s government as a ploy designed to overcome the electorate’s strong dislike of Sarkisian. The paper says this tactics means that Sarkisian and his Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) are “fighting against themselves.” “Ironically, it was the leader of this party who said a few months ago that ‘we can’t turn our homeland into a circus,’” it says.
“Zhoghovurd” claims that Russia’s decision to step up its air strikes in Syria will create additional security risks for Armenia, its main regional ally. “Armenia’s position in this region is already vulnerable due to the Christian factor,” speculates the paper. “Now the corresponding circles will project their negative feelings towards Russia at the weaker and more vulnerable Armenia. Are Armenian security services ready to confront such challenges?”
“Haykakan Zhamanak” reports on a continuing fall in international prices of copper, a key Armenian export item. “That will have a direct impact on our state budget,” says the paper. It says that one metric ton of copper now costs $4,600 in the international market, down from about $6,500 per ton in May. “The revenues of our mining companies have decreased just as much,” it says. “Taxes paid by them to the Armenian state budget will therefore fall at the same rate.”
(Tigran Avetisian)