A1-PLUS LOSES BID FOR RADIO LICENSE

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000270 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV AM SUBJECT: A1-PLUS LOSES BID FOR RADIO LICENSE Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Mesrop Movsesian, the owner of the now-defunct A1-Plus television station, told Post that he lost a recent bid for a radio frequency license to two other competitors, and he alleged that his loss was politically motivated. On February 14, the Armenian National Commission on Television and Radio voted to give two available radio frequencies to other bidders. Movsesian renewed charges that the Commission withdrew A1-Plus's television license in 2003 out of political considerations. (Note: Commission members are appointed by the President. End Note.) He alleged that the Commission voted against his most recent bid because A1-Plus television criticized President Kocharian during his 2003 re-election campaign. ¶2. (SBU) One of the Television and Radio Commissioners, Ara Tadevossian, told us that the two companies which won the tender offered "better technical quality" and stronger financial backing. A1-Plus operates a print and on-line news service but has no previous experience in radio. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) A1-Plus has been seeking a return to the airwaves since it lost its television license in April ¶2002. The GOAM commissioner is correct that A1-Plus has less radio experience that the winner of the tender, but political factors likely also played some role in the decision. GODFREY