"SERGE SARGSYAN IS NOT GOOD AT CHESS"
A1+
[05:15 pm] 02 July, 2007
June 2 a number of NGOs moved to the National Assembly with posters
"Freedom to Armenia!" "Freedom to Robert Kocharian, Serge Sargsyan,
Tigran Torosyan and others!" The protesters were carrying a poster
of 79 deputies.
" These deputies voted for the bills. They are faceless as they
don’t have their own viewpoint," said Amalia Kostanyan, the head of
"Transparency International" Armenian Office. On reaching the NA
building, they began to whistle and shout, "People’s delegates,
shame on you!" "Freedom!"
"We are against torture and violence which are deeply rooted in
our society. The authorities started with the halt of A1+, and now
it is RFE/RL’s turn. And tomorrow they will proceed with NGOs and
newspapers," said Amalia Kostanyan.
Boris Navasardyan, the Chair of the Yerevan Press Club, is convinced
that the bills are aimed at banning RFE/RL’s transmissions. The
quality of the Public radio has improved due to RFE/RL, he pointed out.
Avetik Ishkhanyan, the Chair of the Armenian Helsinki Committee,
said the draft amendments are aimed to "silence the only electronic
media outlet not controlled by the authorities."
"The powers tending to autocracy most of all fear freedom of
speech. Radio Liberty’s scenario is A1+’s continuation and was
well-planned by the authorities.
Society does not respond adequately to the authorities’
steps. Nevertheless, autocracy is sooner or later doomed to a
collapse. The authorities should bear responsibility for their deeds.
Arthur Sakunts, the President of the Vanadzor office of Helsinki
Civil Assembly, states that Serge Sargsyan is really scared to death.
I think the draft amendments are connected with the upcoming
presidential election. And though Republicans form a majority in
the National Assembly, the prime minister seeks political concord
with other forces and exerts pressure on mass media. That is a poor
combination. Though Mr Sargsyan likes chess he is not good at it as
he feels his forthcoming defeat.