Press Review

Former human rights ombudsperson Larisa Alaverdian tells “Azg” that she has succeeded in proving that “the Armenian public and a large number of government officials are ready for positive changes.” “Unfortunately, the ruling elite’s lack of political will and totally distorted idea of a democratic, law-of-law and social state are hampering Armenia’s progress,” she says. Alaverdian also makes the point that protection of human rights is essential for a pro-Armenian solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“Hayastani Hanrapetutyun” reports on Tuesday’s parliament debate that featured speeches by the two candidates for the post of ombudsperson. “Those who think that I would be a stooge must not vote for me,” one of them, Armen Harutiunian, is quoted as saying.

“One should first wait and see who is elected human rights defender,” deputy parliament speaker Tigran Torosian tells “Hayots Ashkhar.” “At the same time it is wrong to assert that the human rights defender is or must be a government enemy.”

“Aravot” finds the choice of the opposition candidate for the post questionable. “It would have been much more logical to nominate Larisa Alaverdian who has at least proved with her work that she is not a stooge.”

“Hayots Ashkhar” says that peace proposals that will reportedly be discussed by Presidents Ilham Aliev and Robert Kocharian at their meeting in Paris this weekend have provoked differing reactions in Azerbaijan and Armenia. “Unlike Armenian society, Azerbaijan is in a state of utter panic,” it claims. “Even the overtly pro-Western Azerbaijani media are openly speaking of a Rambouillet conspiracy, Azerbaijan’s capitulation and a Karabakh detonator planted under their government.” The paper says the signing of such a peace accord would be seen in Azerbaijan as “an act of national treason that will put an end to the rule of Aliev and his clan.”

“Haykakan Zhamanak” regrets the resignation of Tigran Khachatrian, a deputy finance minister who coordinated the Armenian government’s efforts to receive large-scale U.S. assistance under the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) program. The paper says Khachatrian was “one of the few Armenian officials whose honesty has never been questioned.” The government’s MCA task force is now headed by David Avetisian, another deputy finance minister who has been in charge of issuing gambling and lottery licenses. The paper has serious doubts about his integrity.

(Hrach Melkumian)