Prime minister promises to inform media about ‘offshore scandal’

At the government session today, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan spoke about three issues that have received publicity before he proceeded to the main issues of the agenda. At first he discussed the rumors related to Millennium Challenges program, particularly the misappropriation of 14 million AMD spent on lectures.

In his words, to avoid speculation, information will be provided to the mass media. He reminded those present that the contracts on financial resources were signed in 2007. The American side held a contest, selected the winners, and signed contracts with them, considering the results as efficient. “It is impossible to understand what implication they are looking for?” he noted.

Then the prime minister spoke about the rumors related to Nairit Plant. According to him, “the mass media have long spent much money, presenting incomprehensible scenarios” linked with his name. “All the programs related to Nairit have grounds, namely, decisions of the Armenian government,” the prime minister said.

He said that in 2006 the government signed an agreement with Rhinoville Property Limited. He gave instructions to show the full package of documents of all transactions to the media in order to rule out political speculation in the issue.

The prime minister also touched upon the “offshore scandal”, saying that “some fairy tales are being invented to discredit me”. He promised to provide full information to the mass media. In his words, a criminal case was opened and an investigation is underway.

“No question will go unanswered. If the persons conducting a journalistic inquiry are honest and objective, they will be able to distinguish the truth from lies,” T. Sargsyan said. He also discussed the disclosures of the Control Chamber, saying that a schedule will be made up: according to that schedule, ministers will present reports of their ministries and meet with reporters to answer their questions.