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Statistics disastrous, Armenia's ex-premier says
14:35 * 02.02.14
The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary group member and
Armenia's ex-premier Hrant Bagratyan believes the 2013 statistics is
disastrous despite the fact that 7,659 fewer citizens left Armenia
last year than in 2012.
"During the premiership of Vazgen Sargsyan and others, this number
reached 200,000. However they were residents of the disaster zone
(Spitak earthquake zone) and refugees from Azerbaijan. The war is an
additional factor. These are disastrous figures. Five years ago, or
during my premiership, five to seven thousand people emigrated from
the country yearly, but their number is 42,000, or about 10,000
families, now. Is it not a disaster if fewer children are born in the
country than emigrate from it?" he said.
Moreover, the government promised 7% growth, but the statistical data
show 3.5% growth.
"But even the 3.5% is highly doubtful. Last December, which proved to
be very cold, 16.4% agricultural growth was reported as compared with
December 2012, which is unbelievable. On top of all, they are
introducing a funded pensions system to siphon $50 to $100 million
from Armenia yearly. How can the country develop? Have wages been
raised? Just look at the list of Armenia's 100 largest taxpayers. The
economy has become even more centralized, 3,000 shops have been closed
in the past six years," Bagratyan said.
As to the MPs' recently raised salaries, Bagratyan noted that it was
done last year and 500,000 employees' salaries were actually raised,
including MPs, ministers and civil servants.
"No wage increase is planned for 2014. What about the people -
teachers, doctors?" he said.
He is critical of Secretary of the National Security Council Artur
Baghdasaryan, who stated that a demographic security strategy will be
approved this year.
"They are not doing anything. I wish them a Maidan this year. May be,
they will come to their senses. We have never had such low figures
since Armenia gained independence, except for the period of complete
decline because of the earthquake and war. Later, from 1994 on, all
the figures were better than now," Bagratyan said.
As to the four non-coalition parliamentary forces discussing a vote of
no confidence in the government, he said that he has "said it a
hundred times."
Asked about the reasons why Tigran Sargsyan remains Armenia's premier, he said:
"They do not change the premier because it is to their benefit. He
does all that they tell him to, without even thinking. It is difficult
for everyone now and everyone is ready to get a bribe. They do not
have any alternatives. They are waiting for elections to get election
bribes. This is our authorities' approach. But this is a system
crisis," Bagratyan concluded.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/02/02/hrant-bagratyan/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
14:35 * 02.02.14
The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary group member and
Armenia's ex-premier Hrant Bagratyan believes the 2013 statistics is
disastrous despite the fact that 7,659 fewer citizens left Armenia
last year than in 2012.
"During the premiership of Vazgen Sargsyan and others, this number
reached 200,000. However they were residents of the disaster zone
(Spitak earthquake zone) and refugees from Azerbaijan. The war is an
additional factor. These are disastrous figures. Five years ago, or
during my premiership, five to seven thousand people emigrated from
the country yearly, but their number is 42,000, or about 10,000
families, now. Is it not a disaster if fewer children are born in the
country than emigrate from it?" he said.
Moreover, the government promised 7% growth, but the statistical data
show 3.5% growth.
"But even the 3.5% is highly doubtful. Last December, which proved to
be very cold, 16.4% agricultural growth was reported as compared with
December 2012, which is unbelievable. On top of all, they are
introducing a funded pensions system to siphon $50 to $100 million
from Armenia yearly. How can the country develop? Have wages been
raised? Just look at the list of Armenia's 100 largest taxpayers. The
economy has become even more centralized, 3,000 shops have been closed
in the past six years," Bagratyan said.
As to the MPs' recently raised salaries, Bagratyan noted that it was
done last year and 500,000 employees' salaries were actually raised,
including MPs, ministers and civil servants.
"No wage increase is planned for 2014. What about the people -
teachers, doctors?" he said.
He is critical of Secretary of the National Security Council Artur
Baghdasaryan, who stated that a demographic security strategy will be
approved this year.
"They are not doing anything. I wish them a Maidan this year. May be,
they will come to their senses. We have never had such low figures
since Armenia gained independence, except for the period of complete
decline because of the earthquake and war. Later, from 1994 on, all
the figures were better than now," Bagratyan said.
As to the four non-coalition parliamentary forces discussing a vote of
no confidence in the government, he said that he has "said it a
hundred times."
Asked about the reasons why Tigran Sargsyan remains Armenia's premier, he said:
"They do not change the premier because it is to their benefit. He
does all that they tell him to, without even thinking. It is difficult
for everyone now and everyone is ready to get a bribe. They do not
have any alternatives. They are waiting for elections to get election
bribes. This is our authorities' approach. But this is a system
crisis," Bagratyan concluded.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/02/02/hrant-bagratyan/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress