POLICEMEN DON’T SWING TRUNCHEONS AT PEOPLE

A1+
[08:43 pm] 15 December, 2008

The Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) ended in Athens a few
days ago. The forum featured 480 participants from 18 countries. The
forum aims at assessing media landscape and freedom of expression in
developing countries, find ways of protecting the right of speech and
journalists from violence. The forum was attended by President of A1+
Company Mesrop Movsesyan. The participants discussed different issues
and exchanged viewpoints.

"Alongside with Zimbabwe and Azerbaijan Armenia ranked the first on
the list. It is a great shame for us. But we couldn’t share a lot as
our means of struggle are not productive," noted Mr. Movsesyan.

Forum was held during the "mass riots" in Greece. Mesrop Movsesyan
drew parallels during the March 1-2 unrest in Yerevan and December 7
coup attempt in Greece. In both cases the disorders were stirred up
by injustice, said Mr. Movsesyan. On the whole, he was surprised at
the functioning and independence of the Greek Parliament.

"Laws work perfectly in Greece. The law bans police access to
schools. The authorities wanted to amend the law but thanks to the
opposition’s efforts the amendments were not even put to the vote. It
is due to mention that the opposition doesn’t form parliament majority
in Greece," he says.

Mesrop Movsesyan is impressed by the solidarity of the Greek
people. "The assassination of an Armenian youth united a whole nation
which is not the case with the Armenians. Even if we unite for a
common goal we don’t struggle till the end, till the final triumph."

He also noted that Greek demonstrators broke shop windows but none of
them robbed the shops. Just on the contrary, people beat the robbers
if they were such. Demonstrators simply wanted to set the shops on
fire. By the way they only targeted at the shops of well-off people."

Mesrop Movsesyan is also surprised at the dignified stance of local
policemen. "For the first time in my life I felt deep respect towards
these people. For the first time I saw a policeman carrying out
his main duty – keeping public order. They didn’t swing bludgeon at
innocent people. Instead of disclosing and punishing real criminals our
policemen settle accounts with suspects. Policemen should avert crimes
rather than punish people. I have seen no Greek policeman shooting
demonstrators. They only used tear gas to disperse the mob. The only
policeman shooting the 15-year-old youth dead is now in custody. Greeks
have showed their might, and now the government are ready to resign.