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PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
31 Moscovian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 - 10) 53.69.13
Fax: (+374 - 10) 53.26.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website: www.heritage.am
March 19, 2007
Information Blockade Against Heritage Still in Force
Yerevan--Two television stations have recently phoned the press department
of the Heritage Party to invite its chairman Raffi K. Hovannisian to appear
on their political programs. It seems fairly bizarre that following their
eighteen month-long blacklist of Hovannisian, these stations have begun to
tender invitations in the few days that he is absent from the country. The
brief absence, incidentally, had already been publicly announced by Heritage's
press secretary.
If these invitations are genuine, and not mere publicity stunts, those and
all television companies will have the opportunity to host Raffi Hovannisian
upon his imminent return. Only when these opportunities are realized will we
declare that the presidential blockade has been somewhat relaxed. The fact,
however, that other Heritage officials--who, by the way, are all in the
country--are still refused television airtime leaves much room for doubt.
In a recent news conference, speaker of parliament Tigran Torosyan stated
that Raffi Hovannisian's absence from television is due to his frequent
absences from the country. First, we should point to the fact that the
travels of Armenian politicians like Mr. Torosyan (which are far more
extensive than Hovannisian's travels) somehow do not prevent television
stations from covering and broadcasting their activities--not for seconds or
minutes, but for numerous hours. Second, Hovannisian's trips are far too
rare to explain--let alone justify--an information blockade. Third, they are
always based in the defense of national interests; in his current travels,
Hovannisian is addressing Armenian issues at Clark University and the
University of California, Los Angeles. Mr. Torosyan's statements, which come
in the process of a clearly illegal and unethical blackout, reflects a
disdain, based on disinformation, of his fellow citizens.
In the same news conference, Torosyan conveyed regret that the debate
between him and Hovannisian, as organized by A1 Plus Television Company, had
been postponed. We consider this a pledge to take part in the discussion and
are happy to announce that Hovannisian will be ready to participate in this
television debate when he returns in a few days.
Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the land. Its
central office is located at 31 Moscovian Street, Yerevan 0002, Armenia,
with telephone contact at (374-10) 536.913, fax at (374-10) 532.697, email
at [email protected] or [email protected], and website at www.heritage.am
Heritage Press Department
The Heritage Party
31 Moscovian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 - 10) 53.69.13
Fax: (+374 - 10) 53.26.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website: www.heritage.am
March 19, 2007
Information Blockade Against Heritage Still in Force
Yerevan--Two television stations have recently phoned the press department
of the Heritage Party to invite its chairman Raffi K. Hovannisian to appear
on their political programs. It seems fairly bizarre that following their
eighteen month-long blacklist of Hovannisian, these stations have begun to
tender invitations in the few days that he is absent from the country. The
brief absence, incidentally, had already been publicly announced by Heritage's
press secretary.
If these invitations are genuine, and not mere publicity stunts, those and
all television companies will have the opportunity to host Raffi Hovannisian
upon his imminent return. Only when these opportunities are realized will we
declare that the presidential blockade has been somewhat relaxed. The fact,
however, that other Heritage officials--who, by the way, are all in the
country--are still refused television airtime leaves much room for doubt.
In a recent news conference, speaker of parliament Tigran Torosyan stated
that Raffi Hovannisian's absence from television is due to his frequent
absences from the country. First, we should point to the fact that the
travels of Armenian politicians like Mr. Torosyan (which are far more
extensive than Hovannisian's travels) somehow do not prevent television
stations from covering and broadcasting their activities--not for seconds or
minutes, but for numerous hours. Second, Hovannisian's trips are far too
rare to explain--let alone justify--an information blockade. Third, they are
always based in the defense of national interests; in his current travels,
Hovannisian is addressing Armenian issues at Clark University and the
University of California, Los Angeles. Mr. Torosyan's statements, which come
in the process of a clearly illegal and unethical blackout, reflects a
disdain, based on disinformation, of his fellow citizens.
In the same news conference, Torosyan conveyed regret that the debate
between him and Hovannisian, as organized by A1 Plus Television Company, had
been postponed. We consider this a pledge to take part in the discussion and
are happy to announce that Hovannisian will be ready to participate in this
television debate when he returns in a few days.
Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the land. Its
central office is located at 31 Moscovian Street, Yerevan 0002, Armenia,
with telephone contact at (374-10) 536.913, fax at (374-10) 532.697, email
at [email protected] or [email protected], and website at www.heritage.am
Heritage Press Department