“Aravot” criticizes Russian authorities for their refusal to allow an Armenian political analyst, Stepan Grigorian, to visit Russia, presumably because of his pro-Western views and cooperation with European governments and non-governmental organizations. “Logic suggests that they should explain why he poses a danger to Russia,” editorializes the paper. “Or else, [the deportation] will look like an imperial arrogance and an act of demonstrative revenge with a great dose of paranoia.” It wonders whether Moscow has a whole blacklist of well-known Armenians denied entry to Russia.
“Zhoghovurd” reports on local elections that will be held in many communities across Armenia on September 18 and October 2. The paper says election-related developments are already demonstrating that the Armenian authorities continue to rely on foul play in ensuring their grip on power. In particular, it says, it emerged that Karapet Ohanian, a mayoral candidate in the town of Masis nominated by the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), has unexpectedly dropped out of the race. The BHK chairwoman, Naira Zohrabian, is quoted as saying that Ohanian did so after he and his sons were offered government posts by his main rival affiliated with the ruling Republican Party (HHK).
“Zhoghovurd” finds it very worrisome that “so many people in our opposition can be bought.” “Incidentally, government representatives counter opposition complaints by saying, ‘Don’t be bought,’” the paper goes on. “This is certainly a very cynical approach. But in a sense, it is also fair.”
“Hayots Ashkhar” says that Armenia is now going through “one of the most difficult and fateful periods of our history.” “In the next two or three years, the outlines of our region’s political map are likely to be clarified,” explains the paper. “And the next few months will demonstrate the nature and direction of final resistance required from us for that purpose. We must be prepared for that decisive test so that our generation, which launched the Karabakh movement in 1988 and declared the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s independence on September 2, 1991, can complete its historical mission to the Armenian people.”
“Haykakan Zhamanak” accuses the government of slowly but steadily withholding information about Armenia’s public debt. The paper notes that the National Statistical Service (NSS) released no monthly data on the debt in its most recent macroeconomic report.
(Tigran Avetisian)