YEREVAN. – The Government of Armenia can be called a Komsomol (i.e. a youth organization controlled by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union) in a bad sense; there is a form, but there is no content.

Capital city Yerevan former Mayor, opposition Armenian National Congress member, economist Vahagn Khachatryan, stated the aforesaid at a press conference on Friday. He noted this when asked about the new Armenian state program for making social payments to members of the military.

“Let no one attempt to make a speculation with it that he wants to help the soldiery; [there is] no such thing,” said Khachatryan. “And people want to be sure that this money will reach its goal. [But] the current vague explanations give no answer.”

The economist stated that no one even explains whether such a payment shall be voluntary; and if not, then it is a tax; yet no one calls it a tax.

“[This] recalls the voluntary-compulsory means of the Soviet years,” added the opposition member. “Everyone wants to help, but they discredit this concept with such initiatives.”