Author: Hakobian Adrine

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT GIVES PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO TAX-RELATED BILL

ARKA
September 16, 2009
Yerevan

YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. On Tuesday, Armenian National Assembly
approved amendments to the administrative offences code and the laws on
excise tax, on VAT, on taxes and on profit tax at the first refading.

The lawmakers were set to vote on the bill yet before the summer
recess, but the vote was postponed twice – on June 9 and 10 on the
initiative of MPs and the cabinet ministers.

The amendments propose taxation mitigation for small and large
entrepreneurs.

The amendments are based on the principle of separation of small,
mid-scale and large businesses.

Some of them, such as introduction of permanent tax representative,
apply only to large companies, who have over 500 employees and whose
annual turnover exceeds AMD 4 billion.

After summer debates in the Parliament over the bill was reconsidered
and put on the National Assembly’s floor again.

On Tuesday, Deputy Finance Minister Suren Ghazaryan, presenting
the reconsidered bill to legislators, said all their proposals were
upheld by the cabinet, and the status of permanent tax representatives
was changed.

Now tax agencies’ representatives will be empowered to control only
excisable goods and their quantity.

Karayan also said that the list of the companies, where tax
representatives would be, have been specified as well.

ARMENIAN LAWMAKERS RATIFY CREDIT AGREEMENT WITH ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

ARKA
September 16, 2009
Yerevan

YEREVAN, September 16. /ARKA/. On Wednesday, Armenian National
Assembly ratified a credit agreement signed with Asian Development
Bank on July 15.

Armenian Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsyan said that under this
agreement, the Asian Development bank lends SDR 51 million 378 thousand
as bailout credit.

"Negotiations over the matter was launched yet in late 2008, and
in June the parties reached an agreement. The key aim of the credit
agreement is to support Armenia in its efforts to mitigate impacts of
the global economic recession, particularly on social sector", he said.

The minister also said that the loan will be extended for 24 years,
of which eight year are grace period.

The loan will be transferred in two tranches – SDR 29.7 million and
21.6 million.

Yeritsyan said that repayment will begin in 2017 and continue until
2033.

He said that the money will be used for the social expenses planned
in the 2009 state budget.

"The credit is fully up to our anti-crisis policy", the minister said.

National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, in his turn, stressed
the importance of the credit agreement.

He said that the money will be spent for developing national economy,
not banking system.

"Armenia guarantees repayment and control over spending of these
funds and setting limits for banking20credits, which mustn’t exceed
nine percent. If so, credits will contribute to recovery of the real
sector of Armenia’s economy", Abrahamyan said. M.V.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS – REAL DOCUMENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.09.2009 17:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Recently signed Protocols on normalization of
Armenian-Turkish ties are real documents, Stepan Grigoryan, Head of
Analytical Center on Globalization and Regional Cooperation, told a
news conference in Yerevan. "Opposition and experts stress time and
again that Protocols containing a clause on territorial integrity
do not say anything on a nation’s right to self-determination. It
is necessary to realize that the given Protocols are bilateral
documents, and it does not simply make sense to raise a question on
self-determination principle," political scientist said.

Touching upon mutual recognition of Armenian-Turkish border, Grigroryan
noted that Armenia, being a UN member, automatically agreed to respect
all UN member states’ territorial integrity.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT AND IMF DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION OF JOINT PROGRAMS

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.09.2009 21:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received
the delegation of the International Monetary Fund headed by Mark
Lewis, IMF mission in Armenia today, press office of the government
reports. Officials discussed implementation of joint programs.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO CALL CONSULTATION WITH HEADS OF POLTIICAL PARTIES SEPT 17

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 15
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: "President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan
has invited the leaders of the political parties September 17 for a
discussion on the current round of normalization of Armenia-Turkey
relations. This is the third thematic consultation called by the
president in such a format," spokesman for the president Samvel
Farmanyan told Armenpress.

"GRAND SLAM" AWARDED TO LEVON ARONIAN

Panorama.am
11:46 14/09/2009

The final round of "Grand Slam Masters" in Bilbao, Spain, has been an
artificially extended round as Armenian GM Levon Aronian marked his
victory even before that. But still, after the end of the tournament
the "Grand Slam" was given to Levon Aronian.

In the final round Levon Aronian ended his set with Sergey Karjakin in
Draw; Aleksey Shirov and Alexander Grishchuk have also recorded draw.

To conclude Levon Aronian ruled the ranking table with 13
points. Alexander Grishchuk had 8 points and occupied the second
horizontal, Sergye Karjakin had 7 points and Aleksey Shirov – 3 points.

EU COUNCIL OF FM TO DISCUSS ISSUE ON CONSOLIDATION OF RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA, GEORGIA AND AZERBAIJAN

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Council of Foreign Ministers of
the EU countries will discuss September 14 issue on consolidation
of relations with the South Caucasian countries. EU’s official web
site informs that the discussions will refer to the consolidation
of relations with Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan within the Eastern
Partnership initiative.

Currently the bilateral relations of EU with South Caucasian countries
are based on partnership and cooperation agreements. With the adoption
of Eastern Partnership policy EU has been aimed at developing relations
with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

September 11, 2009
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

COMMEMORATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF H.H. KAREKIN I

On Sunday, September 20th, 2009, the 10th anniversary of the passing
of H.H. Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians, will be observed.
By the ordinance of H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, on that day a special requiem service will be offered for the
blessed memory of H.H. Karekin I.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian will preside over Divine
Liturgy and the requiem service at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
At 1:30 p.m., a memorial will take place at the Kessab Center under
the auspices of the Prelate and organized by the Kessab Compatriotic Union
(18407 Sherman Way, Reseda).

WESTERN PRELACY HOSTS A DISCUSSION ON THE
ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS

On the evening of Thursday, September 10th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and the Executive Council, invited
representatives of the Western Prelacy to the "Dikran and Zarouhie Der
Ghazarian" Hall for a discussion on the recently unveiled Armenia-Turkey
protocols. Among those in attendance were clergy, delegates, Boards of
Trustees and Ladies Auxiliary members, Board of Regents members, schools’
principals and directors, and the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary.
The meeting opened with the Prelate welcoming the guests, among them
member of the Catholicosate Central Committee Mr. Khajag Dikijian and ARF
Central Committee Chair Mr. Avedik Izmirlian.
The Prelate first touched upon general issues regarding the
endeavors of the Prelacy including the meeting that took place at the end of
August in Montreal between the three North American Prelates to prepare for
the General Assembly which will be held in November at the Catholicosate in
Antelias, and the start of the new academic year at Prelacy Schools.
Speaking on the protocols between Armenia and Turkey that came to
light on August 31st, the Prelate stated that although the protocols in
theory outline some positive changes like the bilateral normalization of
relations, ultimately the rights of the Armenian people will be compromised.
The Prelate then invited Executive Council Chair Dr. Garo Agopian to
moderate the discussion.
Dr. Agopian welcomed the guests then invited Mr. Dikijian to speak
on the details of the protocols.
Mr. Dikijian focused on the points of the protocol that will
compromise the rights of the Armenian people and touched upon statements
such as the opening of the borders will have a positive impact on Armenia’s
economy while the move can on the contrary have a negative impact. In
conclusion, Mr. Dikijian asserted that overall, the protocols will be, at
the least, disadvantageous for Armenia, thus, it is crucial that all those
present unite their voices and speak out against it.
During the question and answer session, the Prelate, Mr. Dikijian,
and Mr. Izmirlian gave further clarifications on the details of the
protocols and the steps that must be taken in the next five weeks to ensure
that the issue does not reach to the point of serious consideration by the
Armenian government. In this regards, a community gathering supported by
all local political parties and organizations will take place on Sunday,
September 27th, the details of which will be released soon.
In his address, Mr. Izmirlian spoke of the steps the ARF Central
Committee has taken since the announcement of the protocols, including
meetings and discussion not only with members of the Armenian community but
U.S. government officials as well. Mr. Izmirlian stated that the Armenian
nation is at a dangerous crossroads where our national rights are being
compromised and which can render useless all the work that has been carried
out thus far for our cause. Thus, he also stressed the importance of
uniting and joining efforts to speak out against the protocols and the
consequences it will have on the Armenian nation.
The meeting concluded with the benediction by the Prelate.

PRELATE WELCOMES PROF. HANS-JUERGEN FEULNER

On Wednesday, September 9th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy Professor Hans-Juergen
Feulner of the Institute for Liturgical Studies at the University of Vienna.

Prof. Feulner, who is on a brief visit to the U.S., is a long-time
friend and collaborator of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and of the Western
Prelacy. During their meeting, the Prelate and Prof. Feulner briefed one
another on their recent activities and undertakings.
Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian and Barthev Gulumian also
participated in the meeting.

PRELATE VISITS CHAMLIAN AND MINASSIAN SCHOOLS

After a week’s delay due to the fire in the Angeles National Forest,
on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009, Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School opened
its doors to start the 2009-2010 school year.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the
opening ceremony, which was particularly special this year given that the
school will be celebrating its 35th anniversary. Joining the Prelate at the
opening were Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and pastors of St. Mary’s Church.
Also in attendance were Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero, Glendale City Council
member Mr. Ara Najarian, Chamlian school board Chair Mrs. Armineh
Khachadourian, members of the La Crescenta and Glendale Fire Departments,
supporters, and parents.
Following the opening prayer, remarks were offered by Vice-Principal
Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, Mayor Quintero, Principal Mr. Vazken Madenlian, and
the school board chair. The Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Saro Nazarian.
In his remarks, the Prelate congratulated the school on the occasion
of their 35th anniversary and conveyed his blessings and wishes for a
successful school year to the administration, students, and parents. During
the ceremony, the school administration honored the memory of the two
firefighters who lost their lives fighting the wildfires through a donation
to their families. The release of thirty-five doves symbolizing the 35th
anniversary of the school concluded the ceremony.
A day before, the Prelate visited Ari Guiragos Minassian School in
Orange Country and presided over the opening ceremony. Upon his arrival the
Prelate was greeted by pastor of Forty Martyrs Church Rev. Fr. Hrant
Yeretzian, Executive Council Chair Dr. Garo Agopian, Forty Martyrs Church
Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Kevork Der Alexanian and Vice-Chair Mr. Sarkis
Der Tavitian, school board Chair Mr. Chris Gourjian, acting principal Mrs.
Kohar Zaher, teachers, and parents.
The Prelate visited the newly renovated classrooms and the new
computer lab, then to the courtyard where students and parents had assembled
for the official program. The students recited the Lord’s Prayer, after
which Mrs. Zaher offered welcoming remarks. Following the artistic program,
the Prelate conveyed his blessings. Remarks were also offered by Dr.
Agopian.
On the morning of Friday, September 11th, the Prelate visited Levon
and Hasmig Tavlian Pre-School in Pasadena and conveyed his blessings to the
students and administration. The Prelate was accompanied by pastor of St.
Sarkis Church Rev. Fr. Khoren Babochian.
On Thursday, September 10th, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian presided
over the back to school ceremony at Mesrobian School in Montebello and
conveyed the Prelate’s message.

PRELATE WELCOMES MEMBERS OF
HOMENETMEN WORLD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

On Tuesday, September 8th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy members of Homenetmen World
Executive Committee Mr. Koko Balian (Vice-Chairman), Mr. Garbis Kabasakalian
(Secretary), and Mr. Carlo Seferian (Advisor).
The guests briefed the Prelate on the recent activities of
Homenetmen, specifically the gathering of scouting directors from around the
world which took place at the Homenetmen campsite a week before.
The Prelate highly commended the work that is carried out by
Homenetmen and wished success to all those who serve for the progress of our
community through Homenetmen. An exchange of mementos concluded the
meeting.

"ARMENIA" SHIP CREW VISIT PRELACY CHURCHES
AND HEADQUARTERS

On the afternoon of Saturday, September 5th, 2009, the crew of the
"Armenia" ship visited the Prelacy where they were welcomed by H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian
and Barthev Gulumian participated in the meeting.
Earlier in the day, the delegation led by Zori Balayan had visited a
number of Prelacy Churches.
Following the meeting, the guests addressed the youth gathering in
the hall.

PRELATE AND ARF CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS DISCUSS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN
ARMENIA

On the afternoon of Friday, September 4th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed members of the ARF Central
Committee Mr. John Kossakian and Mr. Harout Manoukian to the Prelacy, where
a discussion took place on the recent developments in Armenia.
The guests gave a general overview of the recent goings-on in
Armenia with regards to dialogue between Armenia and Turkey, followed by an
exchange of thoughts on this matter. The Prelate and guests stressed that
no agreement between the two countries should compromise the rights of the
Armenian people and reaffirmed their coordinated efforts towards this cause.

Rocking and rapping in Azerbaijan

Music in all three republics continues to be dominated by those singers
and musicians who are subordinate to nationalist or predominant
political interests. But rock and rap bands are starting to speak out,
especially in Azerbaijan

10.09.2009 From Yerevan, Onnik Krikorian

Alternative music in the former Soviet Union has always been synonymous
with rebellion and hopes for change, but in recent years in the South
Caucasus, few musicians have spoken out against the regimes in place.
This has been particularly true in Armenia and Azerbaijan where music
has more often than not taken on a nationalist leaning. All three
countries illustrated that quite clearly this year during the more
controversial than usual Eurovision Song Contest.

However, if some musicians in Georgia have been known to use their
public profile to ridicule both government and opposition politicians
alike, and while there is at least one musician in Armenia who has taken
a stand following last year’s disputed presidential election, the fusion
of politics and music seems most prolific in Azerbaijan. Since last
year, this has become most obvious in the form of rap music with at
least two bands openly campaigning for democracy and human rights in the
country.

For the 2008 presidential election in the oil-rich authoritarian
country, Shirband wrote a song to accompany a civic initiative to
promote a virtual imaginary candidate, Shiraslan, and to attract the
protest vote. True, the incumbent, Ilham Aliyev, emerged victorious with
a staggering 87 percent of the vote, but the point was made. Even if
music had rarely been used to push for democracy and human rights,
precedents were somehow being set in Azerbaijan.

For the third anniversary of the OL! Azerbaijani Youth Movement founded
by recently detained video blogger Adnan Hajizade, Shirband had already
composed and recorded a rap anthem, `OL Azad’ (Be Free). Since then,
other songs such as `Fuck’ decry corruption and authoritarianism in the
country while their latest, `Davam edir 37,’ is dedicated to Hajizade
and Emin Milli currently being tried for "hooliganism" in what many
consider to be a politically motivated trial to silence critical voices
among progressive youth.

Hajizade’s girlfriend and another prominent member of the OL!
Azerbaijani Youth Movement, Parvana Persiani says the song contrasts the
situation in today’s Azerbaijan with that in the former Soviet Union at
the time of Stalin’s purges. "1937 continues even more strictly,’ she
says, paraphrasing the song’s lyrics. `It’s more serious with the oil
and gas. Youth are being arrested and we can always feel these black
jeeps following us…"

The situation is very different in neighbouring Armenia where the last
rap band which many hoped might speak out for disenfranchised and
disenchanted youth in the country not only supported a pro-government
party run by the country’s main oligarch during the 2007 parliamentary
election, but also wrote a song for its campaign. Meanwhile, with the
notable exception of Mher Manukian and one anti-war song by the
Gyumri-based Bambir, rock musicians in Armenia have steered clear of
politics.

Joining their rap counterparts in Azerbaijan, however, two rock bands
have not been afraid to lend their names to emerging progressive youth
movements by writing anthems for the Dalga (Wave) youth group. `There is
fire burning in our souls, there is protest on our tongues, let the
tired faces smile, tomorrow is in our hands, let our students and youth,
be a beacon for ancient East, let us arm ourselves with love, so that
victory is ours,’ the lyrics of one song – `Dalga’ by OZAN — translate as.

Formed in 2005, band member Nurlan Kerimov says that while the rock
music scene in Azerbaijan remains quite small, it is growing. `OZAN is
always on the side of progressive youth,’ he says, adding that the band
is currently composing a song about Hajizade and Milli. `We have very
good relations with progressive youth and idea of anthem for Dalga was
ours. I believe rock music can change the minds of youth.’

Of course, the authorities are also well aware of the potential for
change that alternative music brings with it. Last month, for example,
one Azeri newspaper reported that fans of another rap band, H.O.S.T
Alliance, were being intimidated by national security service agents in
the Azeri exclave of Nakhichevan. Fifteen youth were detained for eight
hours by National Security Ministry operatives and instructed not to
listen to the band’s music which they reportedly claimed was `subversive.’

The band too has not been spared from unwanted attention from the
authorities. Although it released its first album in 2007, H.O.S.T
Alliance has not been able to sell it openly in Azerbaijan. Instead, the
music has been distributed freely from person to person. H.O.S.T
Alliance too has also been detained and warned not to write any more
`anti-State’ songs while the police are known to demand fans they
encounter delete the band’s music off their mobile phones.

Even so, like Shirband, OZAN, Qara Dervish and others, it continues to
compose and perform music, with fans making their own videos for
uploading to YouTube. Indeed, if contemporary youth culture and
progressive pro-democracy movements are anything to go by, Azerbaijan
remains ahead of the two other South Caucasus republics. And while the
situation in the country is considered more authoritarian than its
neighbours, it remains to be seen when similar trends take hold in
Armenia and Georgia.

Indeed, if contemporary youth culture and progressive pro-democracy
movements are anything to go by, Azerbaijan remains ahead of the two
other South Caucasus republics. While the situation in the country is
considered more authoritarian than its neighbours, it remains to be seen
when similar trends take hold in Armenia and Georgia.

And while music in all three republics continues to be dominated by
those singers and musicians who are subordinate to nationalist or
predominant political interests, alternative music in the South Caucasus
might yet result in a significant paradigm shift among a new generation
of youth 18 years after independence was declared from the former Soviet
Union. For now, however, and especially combined with alternative
methods of distribution such as the Internet and mobile phones, all eyes
are on Azerbaijan.
—
/article/articleview/11826/1/404/

U.S. RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY AND ITS HOST COUNTRY CZECH REPUBLIC ARE CHARGED WITH NATIONAL DISCRIMINATION IN EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

AZG DAILY
11-09-2009

Human Rights

(Prague, September 9, 2009) As reported by Information Centre CAUCASUS
– EASTERN EUROPE (ICCEE), Czech Republic, claims in her Application
submitted to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg Snjezana
Pelivan, Croatian citizen permanently residing in Prague since 1995,
failed to safeguard her rights to national equality and fair trial
guaranteed by European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights
and Fundamental Freedoms. Ruling by Czech Constitutional Court in her
case against RFE/RL she characterizes as "legal nonsense unacceptable
in member state to the European Convention".

Mrs. Pelivan was employed as marketing manager by American Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). After several years of impeccable
work with highly positive performance reviews, her employment was
terminated in June, 2005, without any reason stated orally or in
writing, any prior warning or previous disciplinary measures, and
without severance payment because she refused to agree in writing
with her dismissal and, also in writing, give up her right of appeal.

U.S. Congress via Federal Agency Board of Broadcasting Governors
(BBG) fully finances RFE/RL. Hillary Clinton as the Secretary of
State is also a member of BBG and RFE/RL’s Board of Directors. RFE/RL,
which broadcasts in 28 languages to 21 countries, employs in Prague
several hundred foreign nationals — predominantly citizens of the
former Soviet Union, former Yugoslavia, Romania, Iraq, Iran, and
Afghanistan. All of them have in Czech Republic standard employment
agreements prepared by RFE/RL, which are, quasi,

"governed by the applicable laws of the United States, the laws of
the District of Columbia or the policies of the Company".

However, totally unknown to them American laws explicitly are
not applicable to foreigners work r RFE/RL, an American employer
outside the United States; accordingly, U.S. courts are off limits
to them. U.S. laws are applicable only to RFE/RL American employees
who are also entitled to legal protection by American courts. Strict
Czech labor laws, at the insistence of national trade unions, protect
Czech employees of RFE/RL. Its foreign employees are subject only to
the arbitrary changeable "policies of the Company", which RFE/RL does
not present or explain to foreigners during hiring procedure.

Policies of the Company contained in RFE/RL Policy Manual stipulate
that

"RFE/RL’s relationship with its employees is governed by an
’employment-at-will’ philosophy. This means that either party may
terminate an agreement at any time for any reason".

It means also without any reason, as was dismissed Snjezana Pelivan
and the score of other foreign specialists hired by RFE/RL in Prague
on identically deceptive employment agreements.

Czech Constitutional Court did not find discriminative work contracts
given to foreigners by RFE/RL, to be in violation of the Czech legal,
social or state order. It also did not find RFE/RL deceptive hiring
methods to violate the imperative of "good morals" prescribed by
Czech civil and labor legislation. Moreover, it surprisingly decided
that Mrs. Pelivan, despite her permanent statements to the contrary,
has signed knowingly, willingly and by her own consent, an employment
agreement, which, as admitted by the same court, gives her lesser
protection in Czech Republic than protection provided by Czech labor
legislation.

In her charge of discrimination submitted to the European Court of
Human Rights, Mrs. Pelivan writes:

"The consequence of the Ruling by the Czech Constitutional Court
for hundreds of foreign employees of RFE/RL is creation of legal
vacuum. While they were excluded by statutory American legislation
from protection in U.S. courts, despite that their work contracts are
governed on paper by U.S. laws, now they are also deprived of effective
legal remedy in the Czec c — precisely because their contracts are
governed on paper only by U.S. laws (…) Void of logic court Ruling
empowers American management of RFE/RL to practice uninhibitedly in
Czech Republic unmotivated arbitrary terminations of its foreign
employees, without need to justify such actions in any courts of
law. With this Ruling, for RFE/RL foreign personnel the right to
effective court protection became a legal fiction."

In Munich where RFE/RL had its headquarters prior to relocation to
Prague in 1995, all its personnel, regardless of citizenship, were
covered by protective to employees German labor laws. Presently, RFE/RL
has 19 foreign bureaus employing there local citizens. Only in Czech
Republic, RFE/RL uses hidden in its Policy Manual "employment-at-will
philosophy" contradicting Czech labor laws, i.e. Czech legislative
sovereignty. Is it dictated by some mysterious political arrangement
reflected in a special treatment RFE/RL has in Czech Republic: American
employees of RFE/RL, officially registered as private corporation,
are relieved of Czech taxes as performing governmental duties; over 14
years RFE/RL used the building of former national Parliament in Prague
paying 1 Czech crown per month; on May 16, 2006, Czech foreign minister
handed in Washington to American government a check of 27 million
crowns to finance relocation of RFE/RL into the new building in Prague?

Mrs. Pelivan raised that relevant question on March 10th, 2009, in her,
additional to the main Constitutional Claim of March 4th, Motion to
Call the Witness. The witness suggested was Hillary Clinton. She was
expected to visit Prague the beginning of April (she did) and could
clarify to the Czech Constitutional Court whether

"discriminative to foreigners employment policies of RFE/RL in the
Czech Republic are dictated by the ‘broad foreign policies objectives
of the United States’ ",

as prescribed by the "U.S. International Broadcasting Act of
1994". On March 11, 2009, Czech news agency CTK and major Czech
newspapers reported Mrs. Pelivan’s request to call Hillary Clinton as a
witness. As soon as March 16th, the Constitutional Court, notorious for
its usual sluggishness, rejected Pelivan’s main Constitutional Claim
of March 4th, without even mentioning her Motion to invite Hillary
Clinton. Such unmotivated court decisions, claims Snjezana Pelivan,
violate the principle of fair trial as was time and again stressed
by the European Court of Human Rights.

Recently, Snjezana Pelivan and Anna Karapetian, an Armenian journalist
also suing RFE/RL for wrongful unmotivated termination (her case is
still pending in Czech Supreme Court), have petitioned U.S. Attorney
General Eric H. Holder to open criminal investigation into RFE/RL
fraudulent employment practices in Czech Republic. In particular,
they noted that real actions of RFE/RL financed by U.S. taxpayers
money as a tool of American public diplomacy, make a mockery of its
Mission Statement: