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.

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COMMENT
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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