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“A1+” CLAIM WILL AGAIN BE RAISED IN CE IN 2004 JANUARY

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”Council of Europe is still concerned about “A1+” fate”, CE representative Paul Toralson, having arrived in Armenia informed Ayb-Fe. By his word, he is well- aware of “A1+” problem and is sure it will be solved sooner or later.

Mr Toralson, you think “A1+” problem to be settled soon. Do you mean that the European Court will grant “A1+” claim?.

-I am really well-informed about “A1+” issue. But I beg your pardon I can’t answer your question. As a CE representative I can’t speak of a case, which is still to be discussed.

How many claims like this has the European Court heard before “A1+”?

-The European Court has received a claim on refusal of a license from Switzerland. The TV Company wanted to broadcast programs on cars only but the state demanded for a varied project. This claim has been ignored in the European Court.

People are fond of advertisements on car sale in our country. Even a TV Company was directed for that purpose. Are you aware of it?

-No.

How long may “A1+” claim hearing be dragged out in the European Court?

- For 2,5 years. But it may happen sooner.

The issue on mandate granting to our delegation was disputed in CE taking into account the election fraud in Armenia and “A1+” problem in particular. But in September the mandate was granted. We are glad for our delegation to have suffrage in CE. But is there any progress in the issues raised by CE?, we wonder.

- There are various control mechanisms functioning in Council of Europe. The first sanction is to disfranchise in CE Assembly, which doesn’t influence on membership. The second sanction is to deprive of membership. “A1+” claim will again be heard in CE in 2004 January.

During your previous arrival you advised “A1+” to partake in the new tender. How do you treat the fact that “A1+” was deprived of broadcasting license as a result of the 6 tenders?

- Council of Europe keeps an eye on the events and has stated for many times that pluralism in Armenia is endangered. Negotiations over it at different levels have been carried on with the Armenian Authorities. CE is seriously positioned towards “A1+” problem and if it is not settled within law, CE will try to find what has happened. If CE doesn’t get enough convincing answers it will make an appropriate decision.

Since it is impossible to “extort” from the Armenian Authorities what the reason for intolerance towards “A1+” is, will you say what our Authorities tell you about it?

-They are secret talks and naturally I can’t speak about them.

While watching the processes do you think “A1+” to be granted the license at the last tender in December?

- No one can say that. We are just told that TV and Radio National Committee is an independent body and it makes independent decisions.

Do you believe it?

-Council of Europe thinks the Law on “Television and Radio” must be amended. There aren’t enough guarantees providing independence of the Committee in that Law. I was told though the president nominates the Committee members, he doesn’t elect them. The Law must fix transparency for the election of the Committee members.

What is your opinion to the stance that banning “A1+” from air was a merely political decision?

- I won’t answer that question. But CE will more closely watch “A1+” issue if “A1+” doesn’t get the license at the last tender. “A1+” losing in all the tenders complicates the state of the Armenian Authorities.