ARMENIAN PUBLIC RADIO SAYS ‘NO’ TO RFE/RL SHOWS

Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (press release)
July 25 2007
Malaysia

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and its oversight agency,
the US Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), have expressed dismay
at Armenian Public Radio’s rejection of a new contract to continue
carrying programmes of RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.

RFE/RL Armenian programmes have been aired on Armenian Public Radio –
Armenia’s top radio network – since 1998. Survey data shows that 15
percent of Armenian adults listen to RFE/RL programmes each week.

Three days of discussions in Yerevan, Armenia, last week between US
and Armenian broadcast officials ended without agreement on a new
contract to replace one that had lapsed in February.

"Our delegation was told there are no deadlines, and no threat was
made to take RFE/RL programmes off public radio. Yet the contract
remains unsigned, and our offers to make payment were refused,"
said BBG Chairman James K Glassman.

The Armenian parliament on 3 July did not adopt amendments to the
country’s media regulations that would have banned RFE/RL and other
foreign broadcasters from public airwaves.

One week later, Armenian Public Radio indicated that it planned to stop
RFE/RL broadcasts on 9 August, citing contractual and payment issues.

"We value our relationship with Armenian Public Radio, and certainly
want it to continue. We look forward to signing the contract,
and making all payments stipulated in the contract, as soon as our
partners in Armenia tell us they are ready," said Mr Glassman.