YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The Mass Media Association–Journalists’ Union of Armenia and Yerevan Press Club voiced concern over the resignation of Mesrop Haroutiunian–editor-in-chief of the Hayastani Hanrapetutiun daily newspaper. A statement released Monday by the abovementioned groups reads as follows:
"Stating that for the past year the newspaper has kept in line with pluralism–thus contributing to the establishment of an atmosphere of reconciliation in the Armenian press–we have every ground to worry that this step may mean renouncement of the aforementioned achievemen’s.
Acknowledging the possibility that Haroutiunian resigned voluntarily–we would like to note that our concern is caused by the atmosphere which gives birth to such a wish–and state that professional qualities are not decisive in the selection of an editor to the official government press organ.
It is most regretful that his resignation coincides with the indefiniteness in the internal political life of the republic–when–as we think–exactly reconciliation and pluralism should be viewed as a guarantee of stability and relaxation of the situation in the country."
