YEREVAN. – Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] [newly inaugurated] President Arayik Haroutyunyan compromised, brought the players against [him] to his field, although he also put a "detonator" under him—with Samvel Babayan. Artsakh will have an NSC [National Security Council] secretary with a past of "assassination attempt on the President."

"Babayan's appointment can be considered a buffer. As a national force, on the one hand, he will balance [reappointed FM] Masis Mayilian's Soros aspirations, on the other hand, Haroutyunyan's energy in the name of the RA authorities," our source said.

By the way, Karen Sargsyan, the son of Grisha Sarkisov, the right-hand man of [Artsakh and Armenia ex-President Robert] Kocharyan, has been appointed director of the MES [Ministry of Emergency Situations] of Artsakh, which is not to the liking of the pro-Kocharyan. "Karen Sargsyan, who was the MES director previously, too, has made a great contribution to Arayik's becoming president. Being offended is not a political category, but I am aware that Karen tried to build a bridge between Arayik and the pro-Kocharyan; it did not succeed."