INTERVIEW WITH “A1+” CHAIRMAN MESROP MOVSESYAN
Support A1+!-In what has “A1+” reposed its hopes by competing with “Armenia” TV for the same frequency range?
-I don’t think that we were to set hopes on something by participating in this tender. We are just dealing with a tender. There is no dangerous or a very powerful opponent for “A1+” to compete with. We have broadcast for 6 years, used to compete with all the TV Companies, and the practice proved us to be the only one in that field. I am sure we will be the one to win a victory.
-But “A1+” claims for a frequency range of the TV Company that signed a paper together with 17 well known Media, under which speech freedom in our country was not endangered by “A1+” ceasing. Authorities won’t forget that disservice.
-Time will come, and all the above Media will realise the wrong stance of their own when signing that document, and their position towards Mass Media in general. Now they treat the matters in their own way, with adulation.
-In Your opinion, what is the state Amalyan is facing when making his choice between “Armenia” and “A1+”?
-Amalyan is of no vital importance to me in that choice. He is a figurehead and performs all the super orders. He can’t act otherwise. Of course, the game has begun, and legal proceedings drag it out as far as possible. Now they have to make a decision. Not by conscience but as ordered. I treat him as a man, who does what he is told to.
Is “A1+” in some defeat-like sentiments knowing who its rival is?
-Of course, not. Unlike other TV Companies, “A1+” doesn’t place hopes on the finances of foreign tycoons. Basing on its own professionalism, it moves forwards to victory confidently.
The whole system of state management is against “A1+” and not “Armenia”. There are also great sums of investors against it. Authorities probably think that many bad thinks will occur in the country if “A1+” is back.
-Who said that high rankers worry about the country more than “A1+”? When “A1+” appealed to the European Court, many thought we discredit our country by that step. Authorities themselves spoilt the rating of Armenia through the last elections.
-Is it possible that Authorities suddenly decide to give the frequency of “Armenia” to “A1+” for trying to look democratic?
-Amalyan has a chance to correct his mistakes. But I can’t say if he is ready for that or not. He is to decide how to act.
- Don’t You think that they have no extra resources to postpone the tenders for the rest of frequency ranges? Can we conclude that Authorities profited by those delays?
-Why were the tenders postponed? Maybe this country doesn’t need “A1+”. “A1+” was not one of the most professional and the most powerful TV Companies in the world. It was one of the bests in the region. I am pleased and satisfied. But the country didn’t need it. We needed an illegitimate president, so we have him. We needed an unlawful Parliament, so here it is. If “A1+” were on air, it would hamper the Authorities, make them get into panic. Opposition would have a chance to express standpoints.
- May Kocharyan grant “A1+” a frequency to seem more legitimate?
-I don’t believe his wish to seem democratic. I believe him to be a tyrant. Let Kocharyan do what he has decided to. We fight for our frequency range, and we will struggle for it in all the tenders. No matter it is dragged out or postponed.
INTERVIEWED WITH MHER ARSHAKYAN
