Armenian press review (April 29th-May 5th)

By Vestnik Kavkaza

The Armenian press is discussing the further prospects of the internal political life of the country and an interview given by Serge Sargsyan to the well-known Russian TV-journalist Vladimir Pozner, as well as prices for imported Russian gas to Armenia, a rise in electricity power prices and the disastrous economic situation in the country.

Armenia is returning to its routine life, with well-known problems and challenges. 168 Zham reports: “In the internal political life, we can still see the vacuum which has appeared after the well-known February events. The political agenda is actually empty. Of course, there will be an attempt to fill the gap with the topic of constitutional reforms,” the newspaper writes.

“It is difficult to say whether it will be possible to occupy Armenian society with necessity of constitutional reforms, on the one hand, and their unacceptable and vicious character, on the other hand. However, obviously, the discussions which will lead to a political deal between the authorities and the majority of political parties have nothing in common with the real problems which Armenia is facing today: the shameful situation in the economy, old and new foreign political challenges, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, joining the Eurasian Economic Union,” the author of the article concludes.

Chorrord Ishkhanutyun reports: “The first off-Monday has come; in the context of overall pathos, the press begins to publish secondary and less significant news. For example, news about the fact that two more speed sensors and one video camera will operate on the territory of Armenia from today, that the dollar exchange rate has grown by 2-3 drams, and so on. It is symbolic, as guests are coming and leaving, while we remain under the control of Serge Sargsyan’s boyhood friends, speed sensors and video cameras.”

Zhamanak reports: “It was thought that the head of the parliamentary faction of the ANC, Levon Zurabyan, would have reported in his statement to the National Assembly about the date of the next meeting of the ANC and the ANC’s plans for the liberation of Armenia from the bandocratia. However, Zurabyan only repeated words which were said in 2008… When the opposition stops fulfilling its main function – taking steps on changing the regime, the authorities are better establishing a staff for the opposition to make it the staff opposition.”

Graparak informs: “Gagik Tsarukyan hasn’t become either Ivanishvili or Berezovsky. He is more like Abramovich, who is not involved in anything and there is no sense in inciting repressions against him, as it would contradict the interests of the government and the nation.”

There are rumors on a possible coalition between Dashnaktsutyun and the RPA. The sides are not denying the rumors, according to Zhozovurd which reports: “The reason for the fact that the coalition hasn’t been formed yet is about disputes over positions. The RPA is ready to give the positions of Agriculture Minister, Minister of Education and Science, and Minister of Labor and Social Issues to their future coalition partners. However, Dashnaktsuyun thinks that these positions are not enough and demands other positions. They intend to get the positions of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Minister of Economy, and the Minister of Transport and Communications. According to some information, the RPA has agreed on two positions, and talks on the third one are now going on,” the newspaper reports.

Graparak notes: “Why does Serge Sargsyan need radical changes? Is it only due to the awful situation in the country? This is not a significant argument. So, talk about change comes from an unclear desire for changes which have no chances of being fulfilled at the moment.”

Chorrord Ishkhanutyun reports: “The interview given by Serge Sargsyan to the well-known TV-journalist Vladimir Pozner didn’t suit the head of an independent state. It was more an interview with the governor of a distant Russian region, in which the governor tried to show his loyalty to the boss. Serge Sargsyan’s statement ‘of course, we felt safer in the Soviet Union’ and avoiding the topic of Armenia’s independence confirmed this.”

Zhogoburd continued with the topic: “Even the average Armenian who was aware of the USSR and how Armenia joined it wouldn’t answer the way Serge Sargsyan did. Such a view would have insulted his dignity. Serge Sargsyan is the head of the Republic of Armenia, rather than a representative of a non-Armenian nation who has accidently become a citizen of Armenia, i.e. he expressed the general position of Armenia, which had nothing in common with the Republic of Armenia and the Armenians.”

Aykakan Zhamanak reports: “Premier Ovik Abramyan has recently stated that, despite forecasts of international financial organizations that Armenia will register an economic decrease this year, economic growth will be registered in Armenia. Indices of the economic growth in the first quarter of this year haven’t been published yet. The index of business activity grew by 2.5 percent, which substituted the GDP index to some extent. According to simple calculations, it is obvious that statements on intensification of economic development are an illusion which is based on indices which are falsified by the official statistics.”

“The Electricity Network of Armenia Company intends to address the Commission for Regulation of Social Services to increase electricity power rates for consumers by 6 drams,” Zhokhovurd reports.

“The press secretary of the ENA, Natalia Sardjanyan, states that the issue is being discussed, but the company will make the request in the very near future. She cannot say when it will happen. However, we have found out that the administration of the company plans to make the request next week. So we can predict that from July 1st electricity rates will be increased,” the newspaper reports.

“The shopping and entertainment center ‘RIO’, which is a Moscow brand, is being built on the crossroads of two Yerevan streets,” Zhamanak reports. “The new brand has come to Armenia due to the Tashir Company, represented by Samvel Karapetyan, who has invested about $40 million in the project. The territory for ‘RIO’ was allocated by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Gagik Beglaryan,” the newspaper reports.