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| 19:19:53 | 22-09-2005 | Official |

RA OMBUDSMAN’S STATEMENT

Some media spread information on the possible raising of tariffs on local
calls by Armentel Company. In this view Armenian human Rights Defender has
issued a statement.

The statements says in part, `The raising of tariffs is groundless and
inadmissible. It is has not economic basis, since the quality of the
communication has not improved. It has no social basis, since the living
standards of the population are still low. It should be also taken into
account that the monopoly in this sphere the subscribers have no possibility
to choose a company providing similar services.

There is no doubt that the raising of tariffs will hit the poorest sector of
population. At the same time the limitation of using telephone communication
infringes the right of freedom of communication.

A fully support the position of the Minister of Transport and
Communications, who condemned the request of Armentel to raise the tariffs.
I am convinced that the Armenian government will reject the request in
accordance with the Strategic Program of Poverty Reduction.’