"OUR VICTORY IS PEOPLE'S VICTORY"

An interview with the President of A1+ Company, Mesrop Movsesyan,
What is your opinion about the reaction of Armenia's leadership towards a June 17 decision of the European Court? Do they want to reap the fruits of their mistakes and restore the violated rights of A1+ Company?
I don't feel any readiness. Just on the contrary, I am astonished that our authorities are again guided by ignorance. The court has made a decision which is an incontestable fact. Everything else is an empty talk based on unreasoned and mixed emotions. The authorities are to save our country from "the syndrome of Zimbabwe” where the socio-economic life is on the lowest level; human rights are violated and freedom of speech is restricted. Instead of copying with the existing problems, the authorities have started a bargain saying A1+ demanded €1.5 million but the court decided to give €20 000. The bargain was not made which means the authorities have won. Yes, you have won and you can build another castle with the money. Their stupidity has no boundaries though they think they are the cleverest. No one is cleverer than people. They have been unable to face up to the gospel truth for ten years.
Mr. Movsesyan, one of the fundamental human rights-freedom of expression- has been breached while our authorities seem to have forgotten about it. They are constantly speaking of material compensation. How will you explain it?
The authorities want to divert public attention from the key issue, therefore they are speaking of the material compensation. The point is that Armenia has violated Article 10 of the Human Rights Convention which lies at the heart of the EC decision. The authorities were to review their policy and restore the violated right. Instead, the authorities wonder why they must pay the €20 000 from the state budget. They say the money is to be paid by Robert Kocharian and Grigor Amalian, let them sell their houses and pay the money. Today we must hold a tender for free broadcasting frequencies.
No matter what they say or what they do, the decision is already made: it can be neither ignored nor refuted. Let they speak as much as they want. We are armed with patience and we can wait as long as required. We have already waited for the European Court's decision for six years.
But, Mr. Movsesyan, the conduct of tenders is stipulated by RoA law and our participation in tenders is set by the RoA Constitution. Neither stems from the EC decision or PACE Resolution 1620. And who is to implement the EC decision which states freedom of expression has been violated in Armenia?
David Harutiunian might think that he was able to side-step the EC decision and delude the PACE members saying that licences are granted by law in Armenia. Yes, we don't deny it. Licences are given by law but that law mustn't be violated. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is ignorant of the conduct of tenders in Armenian. The chairman of the Commission, Grigor Amalian, is Kocharian's offspring. He is befooled and doesn't realise his steps. I have never stolen a penny from the budget or built anything with the sum. I have always worked with my staff and no one will say that I have ever taken money from the budget. I will make Amalian hold a tender under a monitoring of foreign experts. In that case, Amalian will hardly dare to move his head in any direction.
You said Kocharian’s offspring Grigor Amalian. Do you think the problem will be solved after Amalian is fired?
Our country should recover from “Kocharian's bacillus.” Unless the illness is cured and criminals are uprooted, amalians will always exist and serve their superiors doing their black job.
Will A1+ participate in the tender? Shall we stand for our former frequency or run in all tenders?
I shall participate in all tenders with all might and main. I shall not struggle against any TV Company but against the commission which is sitting idle. I shall smash the system which is leading us to ooze. I struggle against the system not against my colleagues.
Haven't the six years affected the Company's technical equipment and financial state? Is A1+ capable of making a good proposal?
We really suffered great technical losses, therefore the EC has fixed the sum of €20 000 as a compensation. We have had great losses over the past six years. They named us the country’s “enemy” and banned access to the advertising field, but we could survive and even participate in the tender. The EC decision opens broad prospect for A1+ and for the people who want to see A1+ back to the air. I don’t doubt that their hopes will come true one day.
The PACE urges the Armenian authorities not to restrict the right to demonstrations and meetings while the City Hall sends demonstrators to a sports ground. Do you believe that A1+ will receive a licence under the given circumstances?
The authorities act a Snow Maiden and pretend angels abroad. While in the country they put on a witch’s mask and begin threatening people. A person should have one face.
The authorities try their best to denigrated A1+ as if the latter robs the budget to pay foreign advocates. Does the EC decision mean Armenia’s victory or defeat?
Obviously, it symbolizes Armenia’s victory. While saying Armenia, one should understand the Armenians in general. Our people have won a victory. For six years they have marched in the streets demanding A1+’s return. People feel a lack of information, justice, freedom and freedom of speech. And we can say that we are already on the path to victory.
Do you want to say that A1+’s motto “Watch and Recognise Us” works in this case: “Our victory is people’s victory”?
Surely, you are right.
Diana Markosyan

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