“My comparing Armenian businessmen to sacred cows has been taken as a personal insult by many,” Vahan Hovhannisyan, Chairman of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) parliamentary faction, told a press briefing, commenting on his recent state in Armenian Parliament.

“Some Armenian businessmen misinterpreted my words. They interpreted the phrase ‘sacred cows’ as cattle. But, I have to explain to those who do not know that a billion-strong population of India considers cows sacred and takes care of them. I meant that this when I used the phrase ‘sacred cows’,” Hovhannisyan said. He stressed he applied the expression only to some Armenian businessmen, as most businessmen are pressured by the Government.

NEWS.am reminds readers that, speaking at a discussion of amendments to the Law on Excise Tax, which provide for higher taxes on vodka and cigarette production, Hovhannisyan said that the Armenian Government is doing its best to pressure the local producers and protect importers. “Well, how can they press importers? They are good and handsome guys and sacred cows, aren’t they?” Hovhannisyan said ironically.