OPPOSITION LAWMAKER ASKS PRIME MINISTER HOW HE AMASSED HIS MILLIONS
05.21.2014 17:34 epress.am
When did RA Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan or other members of
government manage to amass millions of dollars? Armenian National
Congress (HAK) MP Nikol Pashinyan asked the head of government today
during discussion of the government program in Armenia's National
Assembly.
The opposition lawmaker asked for an explanation as to why business
has not yet been separated from politics. Pashinyan said that Hovik
Abrahamyan declared $5.5 million (in assets); Minister of Finance
Gagik Khachatryan, $6.5 million; and Chief of RA Government Staff
Davit Harutyunyan declared 6 apartments, one house, one dacha, and
one plot of land.
"Regarding my property, I never hid the fact that I have it. I
declared it. I worked in agriculture during the time when the
law allowed engaging in business. No need to treat entrepreneurs
negatively. It's because of entrepreneurs that we're sitting here;
it's due to them that we raise pensions and salaries. Entrepreneurs
are presented to the public as bugaboos," said Abrahamyan.
Pashinyan retorted by asking Abrahamyan to teach him how he was able
to amass millions working in agriculture when villagers cultivate
the land but are burdened with bank loans.
"Ask, and I'll tell you. How do I listen to Mr. Bagratyan [former
prime minister, economist, and HAK MP], if I am not embarrassed to
ask if I lack knowledge in some matter?" Abrahamyan replied.
Pashinyan remarked that he is not against entrepreneurs; he was merely
pointing out that officials engage in business.
"Entrepreneurs create thousands of jobs. You did not feed a single
family in your life -- [you] only criticize. This is not the street,
but the National Assembly," Abrahamyan retorted.
Pashinyan also asked the PM to explain the statement "obligatory
but not imposed" he made yesterday with regard to the law on funded
pension. Pashinyan said in the dictionary the two terms are synonyms.
Abrahamyan praised Pashinyan for reading the dictionary and said he
will follow his example and begin reading dictionaries as well.
Pashinyan's question, however, remained unanswered.
http://www.epress.am/en/2014/05/21/opposition-lawmaker-asks-prime-minister-how-he-amassed-his-millions.html
05.21.2014 17:34 epress.am
When did RA Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan or other members of
government manage to amass millions of dollars? Armenian National
Congress (HAK) MP Nikol Pashinyan asked the head of government today
during discussion of the government program in Armenia's National
Assembly.
The opposition lawmaker asked for an explanation as to why business
has not yet been separated from politics. Pashinyan said that Hovik
Abrahamyan declared $5.5 million (in assets); Minister of Finance
Gagik Khachatryan, $6.5 million; and Chief of RA Government Staff
Davit Harutyunyan declared 6 apartments, one house, one dacha, and
one plot of land.
"Regarding my property, I never hid the fact that I have it. I
declared it. I worked in agriculture during the time when the
law allowed engaging in business. No need to treat entrepreneurs
negatively. It's because of entrepreneurs that we're sitting here;
it's due to them that we raise pensions and salaries. Entrepreneurs
are presented to the public as bugaboos," said Abrahamyan.
Pashinyan retorted by asking Abrahamyan to teach him how he was able
to amass millions working in agriculture when villagers cultivate
the land but are burdened with bank loans.
"Ask, and I'll tell you. How do I listen to Mr. Bagratyan [former
prime minister, economist, and HAK MP], if I am not embarrassed to
ask if I lack knowledge in some matter?" Abrahamyan replied.
Pashinyan remarked that he is not against entrepreneurs; he was merely
pointing out that officials engage in business.
"Entrepreneurs create thousands of jobs. You did not feed a single
family in your life -- [you] only criticize. This is not the street,
but the National Assembly," Abrahamyan retorted.
Pashinyan also asked the PM to explain the statement "obligatory
but not imposed" he made yesterday with regard to the law on funded
pension. Pashinyan said in the dictionary the two terms are synonyms.
Abrahamyan praised Pashinyan for reading the dictionary and said he
will follow his example and begin reading dictionaries as well.
Pashinyan's question, however, remained unanswered.
http://www.epress.am/en/2014/05/21/opposition-lawmaker-asks-prime-minister-how-he-amassed-his-millions.html