GRIGOR AMALYAN WILL REMAIN IN OFFICE UNTIL 2011

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[05:13 pm] 21 February, 2007

"Armenia is the only country where the Public Television is forbidden
to give air to several politicians. The RA Public Television is the
only one which violates law and avoids punishment", announced expert
of the Yerevan Press Club Mesrop Haroutyunyan during the discussion
organized by the "Cooperation for Open Society".

He enumerated the names of politicians which are personae non grata
in the Public Television – Raffi Hovannisian, Aram Z. Sargsyan, Aram
Karapetyan, Arthur Baghdasaryan, etc. Stating that no criminal cases
have been initiated against journalists, Mr. Haroutyunyan noted that
there is no need to initiate criminal cases. "All the problems can
be solved by intimidating journalists".

"The fact that the TV Companies stated high prices for their air time
thus depriving the representatives of the opposition of the chance
to broadcast, already says a lot. There as a triangle – President –
NCTR – TV Channels, where everything is decided. If the heads of the
TV Channels say there is no pressure inflicted upon them, I will not
believe it. I am convinced there has been an agreement between them
in order to hinder the appearance of ‘small’ parties on TV", said Mr.
Haroutyunyan.

Mesrop Haroutyunyan is also sure that all the issues connected
with the information field will be solved or have been solved on
Baghramyan 26. "The National Committee on TV and Radio will be the
marionette of Baghramyan 26 unless the order of the formation of the
committee has changed", he said and added that until 2011 we cannot
expect anything else from the Committee. He is almost sure that Grigor
Amalyan will remain in office, "As the President’s administration is
pleased with his work, I think Robert Kocharyan will re-appoint him
in the position".