By Vestnik Kavkaza
The Armenian media comments on a declaration devoted to the 100th anniversary of the tragic events of 1915, which are called “the genocide of Armenians” by the Armenian press. Newspapers are also focused on an upcoming session of the Board of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, constitutional reforms, statements by President Serge Sargsyan on the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan, and another increase in the refinancing interest rate by the Central Bank.
The first president of Armenia, the leader of the Armenian National Congress Levon Ter-Petrosyan, wrote an article in the Chorrord Ishkhanutyn newspaper on his vision of the All-Armenian Declaration on the 10 th anniversary of the so-called “genocide of Armenians,” which was recently declared by President Serge Sargsyan. “The 100th anniversary is the best reason to shift the issue from the sphere of emotion to the sphere of political thinking. Thus, it is necessary to edit the declaration according to the norms of international law and the rules of existence of countries and nations. We have no right to talk to the world in another languag, as a state,” Ter-Petrosyan stated.
The Armenian media continue publishing statements on possible constitutional reforms in the country by ruling and opposition forces. 168 Zham reads: “According to the Republicans, Serge Sargsyan will express his view on constitutional reforms today. Considering the statements and interviews of the Republicans, Serge Sargsyan will state that he has no intention of rejecting constitutional reforms. A new situation will occur in the internal political life. The opposition stands against constitutional reforms, considering them a step which is aimed at reproduction of Sargsyan’s power. The leader of Prosperous Armenia, Gagik Tsarukyan, hinted that if the authorities didn’t reject constitutional changes, which were not popular among political forces, people would have to force the authorities to hold early presidential and parliamentary elections.”
Continuing with the subject, Zhamanak recalled a message which was spread by the secretariat of Tsurukyan’s conference. The newspaper reports: “It makes clear some aspects, concerning constitutional changes. For instance, if the reforms are provided, PA will demand a change of power. Today the Republican Party of Armenia is going to answer it. It is expected that the Board will discuss significant issues on their attitude to PA. Probably, Serge Sargsyan will simply state about his final decision on constitutional reforms. There is information that the decision has already been made, and Ovik Abramyan met Robert Kocharyan a few days ago in Moscow and told him that the constitutional reforms would be provided. It couldn’t be excluded that an idea of around-the-clock protests with demands to overthrow the authorities appeared in the declaration of Tsarukyan’s conference after its coordination in Moscow with Robert Kocharyan.”
Aykakan Zhamanak reports: “The most undesired reaction for Serge Sargsyan will be PA’s decision to invite all its supporters to Freedom Square in Yerevan, demanding Sargsyan’s resignation. Whether PA makes such a decision or not will be clear soon. However, if the party really wants to change the government and hold early elections, it has to make such a decision, as Serge Sargsyan has already made his decision.”
Ayots Ashkhar reports: “Another subtle issue is an order to the Premier by the President. The point is not only in the content of the order, but also in circumstances which are beyond politics, as Ovik Abramyan and Gagik Tsarukyan are parents of a married couple. They say it is not about politics.”
The editor-in-chief of Aravot writes: “A speech by President Serge Sargsyan at the session of the RPA Board confirms the end of the internal political “ceasefire.” In coming days the political struggle will become tougher. However, I prefer to see a bright side in everything. And there are a few such sides. First of all, the political field is being cleaned. Now there is no power and non-power – there is the power and the opposition, like in the civilized world. Secondly, if the President called for the establishment of a new political culture, the call was addressed not only to Gagik Tsarukyan and PA, but also to all other forces. Today such “political activities” take the majority of seats in the parliament, representing two parties only. Of course, it is a disaster. However, if a certain principle is declared, it should be followed by everybody, including “special” persons.”
Chorrord Ishkhanutyun writes: “The point is not in Gagik Tsarukyan, PA or the clearing of the political field. Their task is to eliminate the social resource of resistance, notwithstanding who holds the resource. When the resource is eliminated, a decision can be made in one night.”
Analyzing the speech by Serge Sargsyan, Chorrord Ishkhanutyun compares the situation with “Godfather” movie, when a leader of one clan gathers his family to explain to them that another clan has crossed the line, and the situation should be settled. “Serge Sargsyan said that he is indignant at the personal peculiarities of Tsarukyan, and that’s why he decided to take strict steps. Stepan Demirchyan wasn’t a suspicious millionaire and spoke a more intelligent language than Kocharyan. However, no less forceful methods were used in 2033. Levon Ter-Petrosyan is much more educated than Serge Sargsyan and more respected in international structure. However, in 2008 ten people were shot dead, and dozens of people were imprisoned,” the newspaper reports.
168 Zham cites Serge Sargsyan that the package of constitutional reforms is developed, however, its signing has been postponed at Gagik Tsarukyan’s request. “If Gagik Tsarukyan is an intellectually underdeveloped person, as President says, why is his request considered in such a serious issue?”
Grapark continues with the topic of accusations toward PA and its leader Tsarukyan. It reports: “It has been taking place for many years. Everybody knew about it, but they kept silent. The main thing is that Serge Sargsyan didn’t say a word either. Today the situation is different: the controllable force has become uncontrollable; the threat has become real. It is a time to gather stones.”
Aykakan Zhamanak refers to a decision by the Central Bank of Armenia to increase the refinancing interest rate to 10.5%. It reports: “The activities of the CB contradict the most elementary logics. The Central Bank causes a rising cost of money. It directly leads to an increase of interest rates on loans which are given to economic entities. It means a reduction of investment in the economy and a slow-down of economic growth. And this is despite the fact that a very low level of economic growth has been registered in the last months. On the other hand, the rising cost of loans should decrease inflation.”
Zhokhovurd reports that the transport “mafia” of Armenia has decided to strike at Yerevan’s residents again. “The City Hall of the capital, which serves the “mafia”, has eliminated six bus routes since early 2015. City Hall and the “mafia” have decided to step further and reduce the number of vehicles which work in Yerevan. According to their official version, routes which duplicate each other will be cancelled, so that other buses could work to the full extent. However, the real goal is to make citizens who go from one part of the city to another use public transport at least twice during one journey. That’s how the transport “mafia” solves the problem of increasing revenues without increasing ticket prices. In other words, the transport “mafia” and the City Hall of Yerevan have started an undeclared war against the residents of the capital,” the newspaper writes.
