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OSKANIAN BACKS CONTINUED RFE/RL BROADCASTS IN ARMENIA
By Anna Saghabalian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
June 29 2007
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian spoke out on Friday in favor
of RFE/RL's continued news reporting in Armenia, saying that it
contributes to freedom of speech and democracy in the country.
While declining to directly comment on the controversial RFE/RL-related
bill proposed by the Armenian government, Oskanian made it clear
that he is against a halt to the daily retransmission of the
U.S. broadcaster's Armenian-language news programs by state radio.
"Right now I just don't want to think that all of a sudden [Radio]
Liberty may be deprived of air," he told a news conference.
"It will hurt me if [Radio] Liberty stops going on air," he said. "It
will hurt me. Liberty makes its contribution to democracy. It would
be unfortunate to see Liberty deprived of air for some reason."
Oskanian, further noted that he is not the only government minister
who thinks so. "I think there are people in the government who share
my opinion," he said without elaborating.
The 52-year-old minister has frequently and readily spoken with
RFE/RL throughout his nine-year tenure. He was absent from last week's
session of Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian's cabinet that approved the
controversial draft amendments to the Armenian laws on broadcasting
and state duties.
By Anna Saghabalian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
June 29 2007
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian spoke out on Friday in favor
of RFE/RL's continued news reporting in Armenia, saying that it
contributes to freedom of speech and democracy in the country.
While declining to directly comment on the controversial RFE/RL-related
bill proposed by the Armenian government, Oskanian made it clear
that he is against a halt to the daily retransmission of the
U.S. broadcaster's Armenian-language news programs by state radio.
"Right now I just don't want to think that all of a sudden [Radio]
Liberty may be deprived of air," he told a news conference.
"It will hurt me if [Radio] Liberty stops going on air," he said. "It
will hurt me. Liberty makes its contribution to democracy. It would
be unfortunate to see Liberty deprived of air for some reason."
Oskanian, further noted that he is not the only government minister
who thinks so. "I think there are people in the government who share
my opinion," he said without elaborating.
The 52-year-old minister has frequently and readily spoken with
RFE/RL throughout his nine-year tenure. He was absent from last week's
session of Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian's cabinet that approved the
controversial draft amendments to the Armenian laws on broadcasting
and state duties.