“Zhamanak” disapproves of calls for the emergence of new Armenian political forces that would criticize both the government and the mainstream opposition. “That’s not something new,” editorializes the paper. “It will be new if the public is presented with a new organizational model, a new style of activities that could be compared with the organizational models and styles of the existing forces.”
“I am not inclined to think that there is a black-and-white division in the country,” former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian tells “Kapital.” “That division is artificial. There is simply the authority and the people. All the people, except for a narrow circle close to the authority, are today in opposition and want change. Everyone understands that the country is on the brink of an abyss and demand drastic and radical changes in Armenia.” Oskanian believes that Armenia’s leading opposition forces will be able to ensure a better conduct of elections if they join forces and create a real “counterweight” to the government. “Or else, we will have the same kind of parliament where one party will be dominant, while the country will at best stagnate,” he warns.
“Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun” notes that both the ruling Republican Party (HHK) and the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) have denied allegations that they have struck secret deals. The paper believes that they have at least not agreed on the holding of snap elections demanded by the HAK. “Why? Because the authorities are still resisting,” it says, adding that the HAK is therefore forced to ratchet up pressure on the government.
Speaking to “Aravot,” Vladimir Karapetian, a senior HAK member, comments on the fact that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group on Thursday expressed concern about possible consequences of the planned reopening of Nagorno-Karabakh’s sole airport. He says that the authorities in Yerevan and Stepanakert must do everything to ensure that commercial flights to and from Karabakh go ahead as planned. Karapetian claims that the mediators’ concerns are primarily addressed to Azerbaijan.
(Aghasi Yenokian)