Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03YEREVAN3091
2003-12-30 12:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

GOAM REJECTS A1+ BROADCAST TENDER APPLICATION

Tags:  PHUM PREL AM 
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301251Z Dec 03
UNCLAS YEREVAN 003091 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN; DRL; EUR/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL AM
SUBJECT: GOAM REJECTS A1+ BROADCAST TENDER APPLICATION
FOR SEVENTH TIME


UNCLAS YEREVAN 003091

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN; DRL; EUR/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL AM
SUBJECT: GOAM REJECTS A1+ BROADCAST TENDER APPLICATION
FOR SEVENTH TIME



1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.


2. (SBU) Armenia's Radio and Television National
Commission announced December 30 that it would reject
the bid of the A1+ media group for the last available
television frequency. The announcement marked the
seventh time since 2002 (the fourth time this year)
that the GOAM rejected a bid by the controversial but
popular media organization. Critics of the move called
it a de facto ban on A1+ as retribution for critical
reports on President Robert Kocharian's administration.
The OSCE and foreign missions in Yerevan (including the
Embassy) expressed concern over previous rejections of
A1+ bids as detrimental to press freedom in Armenia.
Another frequency will not become available for re-
tendering until 2008, meaning A1+ will probably be out
of operation for the duration of Kocharian's second
term in office.


3. (SBU) Radio and Television National Commission
President Grigor Amalyan stood by the decision, citing
problems with A1+'s business plan as the reason for the
rejection. He denied allegations that the winner of
this latest bid, Yerkir-Media, was officially linked to
the ruling coalition member Dashnaksutiun (ARF) party.
(Comment: Armenian media law forbids political parties
from owning broadcast media outlets. Claims that the
ARF does not control Yerkir-media are weak at best.
The decision to grant the bid to Yerkir-Media could be
a violation of current media law as well as another
move against A1+. End comment.) President Kocharian
made similarly unapologetic comments regarding the
decision, claiming that opposition viewpoints already
got considerable airtime in Armenia even without A1+.
WALKER