Category: News

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
April 8 2004

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA FOR JANUARY-MARCH 2004

Against the months January-March 2003 growth of birth rate was
registered in the region of Martouni (by 25 children), Hadrout (19
children), Shahoumian (9) and Shoushi (4). The birth rate dropped in
Stepanakert (19), the region of Askeran (17), Kashatagh (5) and
Martakert (3). In the months January-March 2004 the death rate in the
republic totaled 412 people, which has increased against the same
months of 2003 by 105 or 34.2 percent. Growth of death rate was
reported in all the regions of the republic. In the mentioned period
of the current year the natural growth of the population of the
Republic of Nagorni Karabakh totaled 57 people, having dropped against
last year by 62.4 percent or 95 people. In the months January-March of
2004 the number of the officially registered comers (including
internal migration) totaled 313 people, and 173 people left the
republic. The mechanical growth totaled 140 people which has increased
against the same period in 2003 by 79 people. In January-March 2004
163 marriages were recorded in the Republic of Nagorni Karabakh,
having increased against the same period in 2003 by 24.4 percent, and
the divorce rate formed 19, decreasing by 6 or 24 percent.

AA

Georgia on their mind

The west has once again thrown its weight behind a dictatorship to
guarantee oil supplies

The Guardian (UK)
April 1, 2004

By John Laughland in Batumi

In 1918, when Lord Balfour was foreign secretary, he said: “The only
thing which interests me in the Caucasus is the railway line which
delivers oil from Baku to Batumi. The natives can cut each other to
pieces for all I care.” Little has changed in world geopolitics since
the end of the first world war, when the Black Sea port of Batumi in
Georgia was briefly under British rule. Although an oil pipeline from
Baku to the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan in Turkey is planned, it will
take years to complete. When it is built, it will deliver oil
exclusively to the American market, but for the time being Caspian oil
still trundles across the Caucasus to Batumi in trains.

This is why, in Sunday’s partial rerun of last November’s
parliamentary elections, the world’s media concentrated exclusively on
the prickly relations between the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, and the
autonomous region of Adjara, of which Batumi is the capital. This is
in spite of the fact that Adjara, unlike Abkhazia and South Ossetia,
has never declared independence from Georgia. The standard- issue
media fairy-tale pits a democratically elected Georgian president,
Mikheil Saakashvili – who overthrew his predecessor Edward
Shevardnadze in a US-backed coup last November – opposing an
authoritarian regional leader in Adjara, Aslan Abashidze.

This is not how the Georgians see things. In an interview with a Dutch
magazine, Sandra Roelofs, the Dutch wife of the new Georgian president
and hence the new first lady of Georgia, explained that her husband
aspires to follow in the long tradition of strong Georgian leaders
“like Stalin and Beria”. Saakashvili started his march on Tbilisi last
November with a rally in front of the statue of Stalin in his
birthplace, Gori. Unfazed, the western media continue to chatter about
Saakashvili’s democratic credentials, even though his seizure of power
was consolidated with more than 95% of the vote in a poll in January,
and even though he said last week that he did not see the point of
having any opposition deputies in the national parliament.

In Sunday’s vote – for which final results are mysteriously still
unavailable – the government appears to have won nearly every
seat. Georgia is now effectively a one-party state, and Saakashvili
has even adopted his party flag as the national flag.

New world order enthusiasts have praised the nightly displays on
Georgian television of people being arrested and bundled off to prison
in handcuffs. The politics of envy and fear combine in an echo of
1930s Moscow, as Saakashvili’s anti-corruption campaign, egged on by
the west, allows the biggest gangsters in this gangster state to
eliminate their rivals.

History is repeating itself: it was on the back of an anti- corruption
campaign that Shevardnadze became first secretary of the Communist
party in Georgia in 1972. Following his stint as foreign minister of
the Soviet Union under Gorbachev, he returned to his former fiefdom,
which he ran as a brutal dictator from 1992 to 2003. He was as
assiduously lauded by the west then as his protege and successor is
now.

And as for the operetta “revolution” staged against Shevardnadze’s
regime last November, it has allowed a changing of the guard within an
unchanged power structure. Not only was Saakashvili minister of
justice under Shevardnadze, but the thuggish Zurab Zhvania, the prime
minister, had the same job under Shevardnadze, during which the worst
abuses of power (now denounced) occurred. The head of national
security is the same, and all the members of the former president’s
party have converted to the new president’s party. Shevardnadze’s old
party has disappeared.

That November’s “revolution of roses” was stage-managed by the
Americans has been admitted even by the new president himself, who has
said that his coup could not have succeeded without US help.
Abashidze also confirmed it on Saturday in Batumi, when he said that
his discussions with the American ambassador to Georgia, Richard
Miles, had convinced him that nothing can happen in the country
without a green light from Washington. Georgia, Russia’s backyard, and
the country used as a base by the Chechens, is now as thoroughly
controlled by the US as Panama – and for much the same reasons. As in
Central America, economic devastation has been the handmaiden of
political control, reducing what was previously the richest Soviet
republic to a miserable, pre-industrial subsistence.

As we know from Tony Blair’s visit to Libya, the west is happy to make
alliances with dictatorships if strategic interests dictate. Georgia
certainly qualifies on that score. And events in the Caucasus are
connected to events in Iraq. Because of the intensity of Iraqi
resistance to US and British occupation, oil is not flowing from there
as freely as had been hoped. Hence the imperative quickly to secure
other sources of cheap fuel for America’s gas-guzzlers. In Libya as in
Georgia, western support for dictators, in the name of strategy, may
be the oldest trick in the book. But it is also the most
short-sighted.

John Laughland is a trustee of the British Helsinki Human Rights Group

Copyright, Guardian Newspapers Limited, Apr 01, 2004

A1 Plus | 21:11:58 | 07-04-2004 | Politics |

NEW TIMES PARTY SLAMS VIOLENCE AGAINST MEDIA REPORTERS

New Times party came up with a statement on Wednesday condemning violence
committed against media representatives. The party blames the police of
turning blind eye to that.

“We think the law enforcement is fully responsible for increasingly
worsening situation. Any step that can lead to further aggravation of the
situation is unacceptable”, the statement says.

—

A1 Plus | 13:08:37 | 08-04-2004 | Official |

LETTER TO PRESIDENT

Dear President Robert Kocharyan,

We are writing to you to express our deep concern over the recent attack on
human rights defender Mikael Danielian. Human Rights Watch has worked
closely with Danielian for thirteen years and highly values his contribution
to defending human rights in Armenia. We fear that the attack was an attempt
to intimidate and silence Danielian, and to stop him from carrying out his
human rights work. {BR}

On March 30, 2004 at 9:00 a.m., four unknown men assaulted Danielian near
his house as he was returning home from walking his dog. They punched him
repeatedly to the head, and kicked him after he fell to the ground.
Danielian was taken to hospital, where he remained until April 2. He is now
recovering at home. He is remains very weak, finds it hard to walk, and is
suffering from headaches and dizziness.

Danielian believes that the attack was an act of retribution for his human
rights work. He told Human Rights Watch that he has been a source of
information for the international community regarding the growing protests
of the political opposition in Armenia. These protests relate to allegations
of widespread vote rigging in last year’s presidential elections, held in
February and March 2003, and to the Constitutional Court decision that
upheld the results, but suggested that a referendum be held within a year to
gauge public confidence in the president. Thus far, no referendum has been
planned.

Danielian also gave an interview to the Baku-based newspaper, Ekho, in which
he made statements sharply criticizing you. Shortly before the attack on
Danielian, local press in Armenia criticized him for these statements.

We welcome your public statement calling on the General Procurator to
investigate the attack on Danielian, and ask you to ensure that the
investigation will be carried out promptly and thoroughly. We are concerned
that as of April 3 no forensic medical examination had yet been carried out
on Danielian and call on you to ensure that such an examination be carried
out as soon as possible.

We remind you of your government’s international obligations to uphold the
rights of human rights defenders to carry out their work, and to ensure that
the right to freedom of expression is available to all people in Armenia.
Under the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of
Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally
Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Resolution 53/144), states
are called upon to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of
human rights defenders. We ask that your government adhere to the letter and
spirit of the principles set out in the declaration in protecting all human
rights defenders in Armenia.

We thank you for your attention to our concerns.
Yours sincerely,
Rachel Denber,
Acting Executive Director
Europe and Central Asia Division

A1 Plus | 12:41:39 | 08-04-2004 | Official |

OSCE OFFICE CONDEMNS VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALISTS IN ARMENIA

Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan,
condemned the attacks on journalists that occurred at an opposition rally in
Yerevan on 5 April.

“Any violence against journalists should be condemned, the instigators
identified and criminal proceedings against them initiated,” said Ambassador
Pryakhin in a statement to Radio Liberty and to an Armenian daily newspaper,
Aravot. “I hope the Armenian authorities will keep their promises to take
the necessary measures in this respect,” he added.

Ambassador Pryakhin also expressed his serious concern about the arrest of
Suren Surenyans, one of the leaders of the Republic Party and
editor-in-chief of the party’s newspaper, the night before the opposition
rally.

“The OSCE Office in Yerevan will closely follow the developments regarding
this case,” Ambassador Pryakhin said.

BC-RWANDA-GENOCIDE (FACTBOX)

FACTBOX-Genocides helped make 20th century bloodiest ever
GENEVA (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Wednesday warned of another possible genocide in western Sudan
as he marked the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, in
which 800,000 people died.
The Hague-based International Criminal Court — the only
permanent global court capable of trying those accused of
genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity — said
genocide has helped make the 20th century the bloodiest in
history.
Below is a partial list of genocides — defined as the
systematic and planned extermination of a national, racial,
religious or ethnic group — plus acts of mass political
slaughter committed in the 20th century.
Armenian Genocide – 1915-1923: About 1.5 million killed
Former Soviet Union – 1918-1921, 1930-1938: About
100-200,000 Jews, five million Ukrainians, 14-15 million
peasants, and three million “enemies of the people” killed.
Holocaust – 1941-1945: Six million Jews killed plus 5
million others including Gypsies, Poles and homosexuals
Indonesia – 1965-1966, 1972, 1999: About 500,000 killed in
Indonesia; 200-300,000 killed in East Timor
Burundi – 1972: 100,000-200,000 Hutu killed in ethnic
violence
Cambodia – 1975-1979: One- to three million killed
Iraq – 1987-1988: About 100,000 Kurds killed
Bosnia – 1992-1995: About 200,000 killed
Rwanda – 1994: About 800,000 killed
Sudan – Ongoing: About two million killed since 1983
Congo – Ongoing: About 3.5 million killed in past four
years
NOTE: Sources: International Criminal Court,

REUTERS

Reut14:29 04-07-04

A1 Plus | 13:12:42 | 08-04-2004 | Official |

OPEN LETTER

Dear Mr. President, Dear Prosecutor General,

The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) and the
Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) are writing this letter to you in order
ensure that a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation will be
conducted into the brutal physical attack on Mikael Danielyan, Chairman of
the Armenian Helsinki Association, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Mr. Danielyan was attacked and beaten by four assailants, who cornered him
in a passageway between two buildings at 09.00 am on 30 March 2004. He was
knocked to the ground and beaten for about ten minutes after which the
perpetrators fled. Mr. Danielyan was taken to hospital in a serious
condition.

As there are indications that the attackers might be connected to state
structures, it is important that a prompt and thorough investigation into
the case is carried out the personal control of the Prosecutor General, who
is in a privileged position to conduct all necessary questioning of
representatives of the power structures.

We are calling on you to ensure that the principles of the UN Declaration on
Human Rights Defenders are adhered to in Armenia, and that proper measures
to prevent further attacks on human rights defenders will be taken.

We already note that there has not been a thorough forensic examination of
Mr. Danielyan. Such examination should have been conducted as soon as
possible. During the first two days after the attack, the doctors informed
the relatives of Mr. Danielyan that he most likely suffered from a brain
concussion. Later on they changed their diagnosis and stated that he only
suffers from dangerously high blood pressure. This change of diagnosis could
be seen as a way of downplaying the seriousness of the case.

If investigations do not lead to criminal charges of those responsible for
this crime, a negative signal will be sent to Europe that in Armenia attacks
on dissident voices go unpunished. Suspicion will remain that state
structures were involved in the violent attack.

We would like to remind you of two other cases of violence against critical
voices. In one case the journalist Mark Grigoryan fell victim to a pipe bomb
attack against him in October 2002. The investigation was suspended,
“because no suspects could be found”. In another case, the human rights
correspondent Mher Ghalechyan was brutally beaten in the editorial office of
an oppositional newspaper in April 2003. A criminal investigation of the
incident was launched, but while the perpetrators are publicly known, the
Prosecutor General’s Office closed the case in December 2003, claiming the
absence of a corpus delicti.

We hope that these failures are not repeated in the case of Mr. Danielyan.

Sincerely,
Dr. Aaron Rhodes-(Executive Director, IHF)
Bjørn Engesland-(Secretary General, NHC)

A1 Plus | 15:02:38 | 08-04-2004 | Politics |

VIKTOR DALLAQYAN ARRESTED

This morning the Armenian law-enforcement bodies have invited MP and
“Justice” Bloc Secretary Viktor Dallaqyan to the department under the
pretext of having a talk.

He went to the department as a sufferer in connection with the recent attack
in the street. Under inaccurate information, Dallaqyan was arrested. We will
inform about the details during the day.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

COMMUNIQUE

At its most recent meeting, on 5 April 2004, the Central Committee of the
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia was profoundly disturbed to hear the
Statement made by the Supreme Spiritual Council on 2 April 2004. The
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia has always preferred not to discuss issues
related to the Church and Nation publicly, but, rather, within the context
of the meetings and correspondence between the two Catholicoi and the two
executive bodies of the two Catholicosates. Our Catholicosate adopted this
approach in order not to expose our people to the confusion and
misunderstanding that may result from one-sided and biased statements made
in the Press. Therefore, we will not react directly to the Statement of 2
April. We would like simply to make a few corrections and to underscore a
few points:

1) Knowing that it could be a sensitive issue and attempting to prevent a
one-sided interpretation, the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia has, on more
than one occasion, duly informed the Catholicosate of All Armenians in
Etchmiadzin, Armenia, that the reorganization due to take place in the
Canadian part of our “Prelacy of the Eastern United States and Canada”, was
aimed at changing the status of the Vice-prelate to Prelate. This was an act
of internal organizational rearrangement within an already existing
jurisdiction, not the creation of a new jurisdiction. In fact, making
internal organizational rearrangement within an already existing
jurisdiction is something, and creating a new jurisdiction is something
else. These are two completely different ecclesiological, jurisdictional and
administrative acts. This internal rearrangement was made by the decision of
the Prelacy’s Executive Councils of the USA and Canada, and was done for
practical reasons. To interpret this initiative differently is wrong. The
Statement made by our Prelacy in Montreal, Canada provides full information
concerning this matter.

2) The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia has consistently expressed its
strong desire and commitment to seriously and comprehensively discuss with
the Catholicosate of All Armenians in Etchmiadzin, issues and concerns
pertaining to the Armenian Church in general and to the relations between
the two Catholicosates in particular. The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
believes that we must not approach these issues, which come from the past
and touch the whole life of the Armenian Church, theoretically, but rather
practically, and that we must take into consideration the specific contexts,
local conditions and new realities of our communities in diaspora,
preserving always the inseparable unity of our Church and Nation. Our
approach remains unchanged.

3) The Catholicoi of our Holy See have considered the reformation and
renewal of the Armenian Church a top priority among other administrative and
jurisdictional concerns. We should continue to do this, no matter how
difficult it may be or how long it takes. We firmly believe that the
reformation of the Armenian Church and the renewal and revitalization of its
spiritual, moral and people-oriented mission is an urgent concern. We must
look beyond existing sensitivities and misunderstandings, and not allow them
to hinder the renewal of the Armenian Church. This process should include
the active participation of the four Hierarchical Sees of our Church.

The Central Committee of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia rejects the
approach and the spirit displayed in the Statement of the Supreme Spiritual
Council of Etchmiadzin. Antelias remains firmly committed to its mission of
faith and people-oriented service. It is with this spirit and with brotherly
love, that the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia appeals to the
Catholicosate of All Armenians to start together a process of reflection,
consultation and planing by which we will be able together to renew and
strengthen the Armenian Church, deepen the collaboration between Armenia and
Armenian Diaspora, and support our homeland.

SECRETARIAT
THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

5 April, 2004
Antelias, Lebanon.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2-8, 2004

HIGHLIGHTS:

EGG-THROWERS AND/OR CAMERA-BREAKERS

YPC LATEST PUBLICATION

“CIVIL SOCIETY IN CONTEXT OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM” WORKSHOP HELD

RALLY IN “A1+” SUPPORT WAS EXCESS-FREE

EGG-THROWERS AND/OR CAMERA-BREAKERS

On April 5, during the meeting of “National Unity” opposition party leaders
with the voters, organized in one of Yerevan downtown streets, young people
of strong build and boxer cut started to throw eggs at the orator and those
assembled. In some spots, objects of petard type exploded at people’s feet.
The journalists covering the meeting tried to record the incident, however,
they were attacked immediately: the “strong guys”, divided in groups,
started to use violence against media representatives and to shatter their
equipment.

As a result, physical, material and moral damage was caused to the media and
journalists. Cameras of “Kentron”, “Hay TV” private channels and Public
Television of Armenia newscasts were broken, similarly to the one by
cameraman of “National Unity” party. A cameraman of another private TV
company, “Shant”, had the incident video record snatched away.

Photocorrespondent of “Hetq” online of Association of Investigative
Journalists of Armenia, UK citizen Onik Grigorian, “Aravot” daily
correspondent Anna Israelian and “Haikakan Zhamanak” daily correspondent
Hayk Gevorgian were exposed to attacks and blows. All the three had their
photo cameras crashed. The 17-year-old resident of Aghartsin village, Armen
Tamrazyan, attempting to protect the journalists, was seriously injured.

Earlier on April 5, “Haikakan Zhamanak” correspondent was hampered in his
professional activity. Hayk Gevorgian was detained in the town of Ashtarak
during the photo shooting on the highway leading to Yerevan and blocked by
the police. According to the journalist, an hour-long “instructive
conversation” on legal issues was conducted with him at local police
department.

The rally in the capital was heavily guarded by the police. According to the
eyewitnesses, their administration, in particular Deputy Head of RA Police
Hovhannes Varian were also present. However, none of the guards interfered
in the incident with the journalists.

On April 6, Head of Yerevan Police Department Nerses Nazarian declared at
the briefing devoted to April 5 events that the police forces were ordered
to step in only in case of emergency. Given Colonel Nazarian’s refusal to
answer the questions, it was impossible to find out whether the acts of
violence towards journalists might be viewed as “emergency”? Meanwhile,
Yerevan Police Head asserted that materials on the incident were in
preparation stage.

We earnestly hope that this time at least law and order bodies will be able
to finally track and punish the perpetrators. For the exception of the
disclosed murder of the Chairman of the Council of Public TV and Radio
Company, Tigran Naghdalian, all the rest numerous acts of violence towards
the journalists still “hang in the air”. Only a single circumstance, too
obvious by itself, gives a week chance for hoping that those guilty of April
5 incident will nevertheless be punished. The evening broadcasts of
“Kentron” TV repeatedly showed the scene of the “strong guys” dealing with
one of the cameramen. Several photos of the attackers were also published by
a number of newspapers. According to various opinions,
egg-throwers/camera-breakers are bodyguards of high rank officials and
oligarchs.

The statement of “Hetq” photocorrespondent Onik Grigorian, a victim of the
incident, in particular expresses indignation at the coverage of the events
by Public Television of Armenia placing “all blame on the opposition” and
the police that kept out. After a blow in his face, the journalist “turned
to the police for help but they did not care to interfere”.

Armenian political forces, NGOs, including human rights and journalistic
ones, as well as international organizations publicly condemned the
incident.

On April 6 upon the initiative of Yerevan Press Club, the participants of
“Civil Society in the Context of Democratic Reform in Armenia” workshop,
organized by “Partnership for Open Society” initiative (currently uniting 40
NGOs) adopted a joint statement.

The statement of the NGOs and journalists runs:

“On April 5, 2004 prior to the Yerevan meeting of “National Unity” party
leaders with the voters, the police impeded journalists’ activity on the
highways connecting the regions with the capital. During the rally,
authorities obviously connived at the violence applied: the journalists were
exposed to beating, photo and video cameras were broken, films and tapes
were confiscated and destroyed. Both hampering journalists’ work and
violence towards them fall under criminal offence.

Overt bias of certain media, even those who fell victim to the incident, in
covering the events is also to be blamed.

We, participants of the workshop, organized by “Partnership for Open
Society” initiative, strongly condemn one more instance of regular
violation of the rights for receiving and disseminating information, as well
as freedom of expression. We call upon law and order bodies to punish the
instigators and perpetrators.

We declare that if in this case as well the culprits, several of them being
known, are not punished and the damage to the media is not compensated, we
will have to state that Armenian authorities are not interested in
consolidating the basic democratic values in the country: the rights for
freedom of expression, press, travel, conducting meetings and rallies,
exchanging opinions and the right of the society for getting objective
information.

We call on all the media, irrespective of their political preferences, to
demonstrate professional unity and to rise against the cases of violation of
freedom of expression through joint efforts.”

YPC LATEST PUBLICATION

On April 8, presentation of “The Right to Tell. Role of Mass Media in
Economic Development” new book of Yerevan Press Club was held at Journalists
Union of Armenia. The book came out as part of “Journalist’s Library”
series. The publication is an English-Armenian translation of the homonymous
collection of articles by world economists and journalists. Financial
support for the translation and publication of the YPC book was provided by
World Bank and Open Society Institute.

During his speech at the presentation, Roger Robinson, World Bank Country
Manager in Armenia, particularly noted, “World Bank is interested in
economic development of the countries and attaches special importance to the
role of media in this process. ‘The Right to Tell’ is designed as assistance
to the journalists in covering economic problems”.

“CIVIL SOCIETY IN CONTEXT OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM” WORKSHOP HELD

On April 6, “Civil Society in the Context of Democratic Reform in Armenia:
Agenda, Accomplishments, Failures” was held. It was organized by
“Partnership for Open Society” initiative uniting over 40 NGOs. RA National
Assembly deputies, scientists, representatives of NGOs and media of Armenia,
international organizations participated in the meeting.

The participants discussed a wide spectrum of issues related to
implementation of democratic reforms in the country: “Civil Society and the
State” (presentation by Tigran Torosyan, RA National Assembly
Vice-Chairman), “The Role of the Donors and International Agencies in
Formulating the Agenda of Civil Society in Armenia” (presentation by Dr.
Lucig Danielian, School of Political Science and International Affairs
Associate Dean of American University of Armenia), “Institutes of Civil
Society” (presentation by Dr. Gevorg Poghosyan, Director of Philosophy and
Law Institute).

In the second part of the workshop, the discussion continued in five
sections: “Media/Information”, “Human Rights”, “Rule of Law/Good Governance”
(RA Minister of Justice David Harutyunyan participated in this section),
“Social Cooperation”, “Education/Culture”.

RALLY IN “A1+” SUPPORT WAS EXCESS-FREE

On April 2, a procession and rally in support of freedom of expression were
held in Yerevan. They were timed to the two-year period of “A1+” without
air.

Certain obstacles, created by the authorities to impede the initiators of
this protest action, resulted in a change of the procession route and the
venue for the rally (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 26 – April 1, 2004).
The event itself, with 400 people participating, was excess-free. At the
meeting close to the museum of ancient manuscripts – Matenadaran – the
organizers publicized their claims to the Armenian authorities: to conduct a
competition for vacant frequencies and to involve NGO representatives in the
process of rating assessments of the bidders’ competition packages.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375007, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 1) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 1) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: