PRESIDENT GOING TO MITIGATE THE RESTRICTIONS ON MEDIA

armradio.am
12.03.2008 13:40

RA President Robert Kocharyan told reporters today that he does not see
any reason for prolonging the term of the state of emergency. He noted
that no violations of the state of emergency have been registered,
and the situation in Yerevan is still and fully controlled.

Robert Kocharyan informed that today or tomorrow he will sign a decree
on mitigation of the restrictions on mass media activity under the
state of emergency.

According to the President, the decree will clearly indicate the
activities which the mass media should avoid. It particularly refers
to publication of obvious lies and provocative information.

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan described as "provocative" Levon
Ter-Petrosian’s statements on the intention to hold a rally right
after the state of emergency is lifted.

The President told reporters that "for some time one should refrain
from rallies, rest a little and reduce the level of polarization in
the society."

"Imagine if we give permission to hold rallies, and the people,
who participated in the unrest and collisions with the police, and
the representatives of law-enforcement bodies gather at one square. I
cannot imagine what their "communication" will be like. One should be
a provoker to repeat the same steps. Maybe, some people will be glad
to have new collisions and new victims, and it will become a ground
for publications in foreign newspapers, but the authorities will not
allow that, especially taking into account the fact that Article 40 of
RA Constitution provides us with necessary legal grounds for that. I
advise the citizens to refrain from participation in rallies and not
to obey to provocative statements," Robert Kocharyan stated.