Opposition MP presents gas commission findings (video)
The Armenian parliament's interim commission set up to examine work of Armenia's gas supply system has made shocking revelations. Some of the findings were documented; others simply cannot be reversed by the cabinet members, says Secretary of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) Aram Manukyan. The opposition lawmaker says many other gas-related violations cannot be confirmed because it is difficult to provide documentary evidence for them. “For example, you ask them to substantiate the tariffs, they show a 800-page method explaining how tariffs are formed,” he said. Anyway, the member of the gas commission understands that the Republican majority of the commission cannot 'harm' Serzh Sargsyan or Hovik Abrahamyan, although there are evident crimes. “People came to an agreement, asking not to increase gas prices and promising to compensate it with their property. It's obvious, but I cannot prove it with a document,” says Mr Manukyan. The HAK lawmaker can say where the $300 mln debt [to Russia] accumulated, which forced Armenia to give the ArmRusGasArd Company its 20% shares. “All facts, including articles, interviews and logic, show that this economic transaction was arranged in advance.” Aram Manukyan is convinced that Armenia has not paid debts for the gas used in three years, and Russia has not turned off gas supply to Armenia in compliance with an earlier arrangement. In the meantime, we accumulated debt and our authorities said they are negotiating with the Russian side to maintain the tariffs. The unpaid debt later became property, which was beneficial for the Russian side as it was more than the accumulated debt. The crime is obvious but Mr Manukyan does not possess the necessary documents and evidence at hand to go to court.
