RFE/RL’s Future Hangs In The Balance
During a July 2, Yerevan protest against attacks on media freedom, a demonstrator with a gag across her mouth touches “faceless” posters attached to the fence of Armenia’s parliament building with the names of the 79 deputies who had voted for the reading of a bill that could possibly restrict broadcasts by RFE/RL. If passed, the new law would impose a $200 fee for each retransmission of a foreign media program on a private Armenian station. (Onnik Krikorian for EurasiaNet)
As the Armenian National Assembly prepared to vote on new legislation that could seriously limit and restrict broadcasts by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, up to 100 local activists from Armenia and the Diaspora assembled this morning in Yerevan’s Liberty Square before marching on the parliament building. Parliamentary deputies had already voted by 79 to 16 on passage of the bill on Friday, and today was to be its second and final reading.
EurasiaNet has more.
Dozens of demonstrators took to the streets in Yerevan on July 2 to protest draft legislation that they say could stifle free speech ahead of Armenia’s 2008 presidential election. The legislation, if passed, would enable officials to terminate Armenian broadcasts of the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, government critics contend. Government supporters reject the outcry as misdirected.
[…]
Some representatives of local media outlets maintain that certain senior government leaders have long distrusted Radio Liberty, and see the legislation as a means of curtailing the station’s operations in Armenia. During his traditional 2007 New Year reception for journalists, President Robert Kocharian criticized the station for allegedly spreading “unbalanced and negative information.” Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian has expressed similar misgivings.
[…]
Government critics see the legislation as connected to the upcoming presidential election. A similar move was used against popular private television station A1 Plus, which was shut down before the last presidential elections in 2003, commented Suren Sureniants, a member of the political council of the opposition Republic Party.
[…]
On June 28, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, condemned the amendments as “incompatible with OSCE commitments to safeguard pluralism and the free flow of information in the media.” The New York-based organization Human Rights Watch voiced similar worries, saying that the amendments’ passage would undermine Armenia’s “international commitments to freedom of expression and the media.”
“As Armenia prepares for presidential elections in 2008, the world will certainly be watching to see if the government respects freedom of the media and other freedoms necessary for a free and fair vote,” said Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. International observers said Armenia’s May 12 parliamentary elections as the first vote in the country’s post-Soviet history that largely met international standards.
Meanwhile, RFE/RL’s continues to follow developments that will determine its own fate in three news items, the first of which contradicts earlier claims by the government that the new bill will apply to the station. RFE/RL concludes that the statement by the Justice Minister perhaps reflects “disagreements with the country’s leadership” over the legislation.
A legal ban on retransmission of foreign broadcasts by Armenia’s widely accessible state radio could extend to the daily news programs of RFE/RL’s Armenian service, Justice Minister Gevorg Danielian said on Monday.
Danielian made this clear as parliament wrapped up heated debates on a package of government-drafted amendments to the Armenian laws on broadcasting and state duties that are widely regarded as an attempt to severely restrict RFE/RL broadcasts. The National Assembly passed the draft amendments in the first reading on Friday and is expected to turn them into law on Tuesday.
In addition to carrying a report on Human Rights Watch’s concern about what most analysts and observers believe is a move designed to limit RFE/RL’s broadcasts in the country, the station also reports that the bill’s passage through parliament couldn’t have come at a worse time for the authorities with senior representatives from the Council of Europe in Yerevan.
The members of a Council of Europe body monitoring Armenia’s compliance with its membership obligations to the Strasbourg-based organization arrived in Yerevan on a regular fact-finding mission that comes in the aftermath of the May 12 parliamentary elections.
[…]
Ambassador Per Sjogren, head of the group representing the Council of Europe’s decision-making Committee of Ministers, made a special statement on the issue at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian. He said the planned ban on retransmission of foreign broadcasts by Armenian state radio could result in a “serious and adverse impact” on press freedom.
Sjogren also criticized the government proposal to impose heavy fees on private radio stations engaging in such re-broadcasts. He said the “disproportionately high broadcasting fees” would strongly discourage those stations from doing business with foreign broadcasters like RFE/RL.
“This approach would be contrary to the public interest and the important contribution that independent and free media should make to fostering public debate, political pluralism, and diverse opinions,” the Swedish diplomat said.
While other online publications such as Armenia Now and Hetq Online also cover the story here and here, local bloggers have also been quite prolific in covering an albeit small demonstration that marched on parliament to protest the bill. Wearing gags and attaching banners to the gates outside the Armenian parliament, although RFE/RL reports that hundreds took part, I have to say that there were only about 100.
The Armenian parliament today is debating the second and final reading of draft legislation that would severely restrict foreign-broadcast media, particularly RFE/RL.
Hundreds of press-freedom advocates protested the proposals outside parliament today in Yerevan.
Inside, opposition parties sought changes to scrap the draft legislation’s apparent restrictions on RFE/RL broadcasts. But pro-government parties are reported to have amended that new language to restore the text’s original intent.
An RFE/RL journalist interviews Diasporan blogger Anoush during today’s demonstration in support of the station, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2007
Nevertheless, the action in support of RFE/RL was quite effective, and if Diasporan blogger and protest participant Anoush is correct, marks the first time that members of civil society worked together quite openly with representatives of USAID in the form of Counterpart International.
Certainly, I saw at least two local staff members participating in the march on parliament and noticed the Armenian-American Chief of Party photographing the procession on Baghramian so I suppose she must be right. Anyway, Anoush has posted a brief account of today’s demonstration.
A group of activists organized primarily through the efforts of Sksela, Transparency International, and Counterpart International, together with the cooperation and participation of many NGOs and media outlets (after we sent out mass emails stressing to each that such a dangerous step regarding restricted media specifically required their attention and action), gathered at Freedom Square and marched to the gates of Parliament on Baghramyan Avenue, with covered mouths symblizing the silencing of free and diverse media, and bearing a 10 meter long poster which proclaimed “Nrank kvyarkelen azadutyan dem” (”They voted against Freedom”), in bold letters and then listed the names of the 200+ members of Parliament who voted for the bill on Friday.
The Armenian Observer also carries an update on what many consider to be the most significant attack on media pluralism in Armenia since the effective removal of the A1 Plus television station off the airwaves in April 2002. As with this initiative which would forbid RFE/RL broadcasts on public radio as well as incur greater costs for private stations, A1 Plus lost its right to broadcast less than a year before the presidential election in February 2003. The next presidential election is scheduled for early next year.
Representatives of a number of non-governmental organizations and active citizens marched from the Freedom Square to the National Assambley building, demanding Freedom for “Liberty”.
“At all times in our newest history, whenever we were experiencing retreat from democracy, one of the first steps has been stopping the “Liberty” broadcasts\. Today we are again living such times”, - according to the president of the Yerevan Press Club - Boris Navasardyan.
While the protest action by a couple of dozen Radio Liberty supporters was in progress outside the gates of the Parliament, debates continued within - without much progress. Some details have emerged from the discussion, changes have been suggested by the Prosperous Armenia, Republican and “Rule of Law” parties - but as the suggestions from the coalition parties do not change anything substantial in the legislative initiatives, whereas the suggestions of the opposition parties don’t look as if they have a slightest chance, no real change is expected to the situation until tomorrow morning, when the final vote will be held on the government proposed legislation, which in essence is an attempt to deprive Radio Liberty of its current broadcast capacities and audience in Armenia.
Bekaisa posts a few photos from the demonstration here, here, and here, including those by local blogger Tirami Su who ironically enough posts only one. Nevertheless, on the main RFE/RL web site, the station links to her Flickr page of additional photos in an article on the latest developments in this story. Unzipped also has more coverage.
Protest in support of RFE/RL, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2007
I suppose the argument would be that if “President Kocharian and Prime Miniter Sargsyan have the support of the immense majority of the Diaspora, Armenia and Artsakh” they wouldn’t even need to bother themselves with trying to limit RFE/RL’s broadcasts in Armenia.
Anyway, whatever the population feels will have nothing to do with what happens. It won’t even be the weak and disorganized civil society groups that staged today’s demonstration although their show of support for RFE/RL was important and should be welcomed.
Instead, it will be how strongly the U.S., and to a lesser extent, Europe feels on the matter and what they’re prepared to do if RFE/RL broadcasts are limited. Some think there is a real chance that MCA funding will be stopped or reduced.
Ironically, however, RFE/RL’s Press Review quotes the pro-opposition Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper as thinking somewhat differently despite the failure of those political parties it supports in earning even one iota of trust from an apathetic and fed up electorate in the almost nine years I’ve been here.
Well, I won’t get into the issue of Aylentrank and Impeachment, jointly headed by Haykakan Zhamanak’s editor Nikol Pashinian, not attracting pretty much any votes or support at all, but I might let another pro-opposition newspaper criticize it’s side of the political fence for how they’re handling the matter.
Anyway, it will be the West will determine this matter and not the previous opposition and civil society groups who hardly understood what democratization was either.
Anyway, RFE/RL has a pivotal role to play in that and if I were convinced that pressure would not be put on private radio stations as well as if fees for transmission were reduced, I’d not be concerned by this bill.
However, I’m not and I am.
Comment by Onnik — July 3, 2007 @ 2:15 am
Comment by Onnik — July 3, 2007 @ 2:41 am
I think the possible pressure on private stations and hefty fees are important, but the crucial issue here, in my opinion, is the coverage. While people in Yerevan and surroundings are more or less exposed to diverse sources of information, in regions (especially more remote from the capital) the transmission of Radio Liberty through the National Radio is the only practical way to receive non-official news. To cut Radio Liberty’s national coverage is the main purpose of the bill.
Comment by artmika — July 3, 2007 @ 3:16 am
Artmika, the coverage was precisely my point and has been all along when it comes to this bill. Firstly, RFE/RL is not going to be banned in Armenia and it might even be able to broadcast on FM. However, but not broadcasting on nationwide Public Radio much of its established audience will be lost. That’s precisely the point of the bill, as you say.
As I said, if I were convinced that Armenia was a country where political pressure was not applied on private companies such as radio stations that do have nationwide coverage, then this would be a development that was understandable — that is regulation on the way Public Radio works.
However, Armenia is not and that’s also why RFE/RL broadcasts are so important.
Comment by Onnik — July 3, 2007 @ 3:22 am
I would assume that if Hovik’s argument was correct there would be absolutely no reason to take measures against RFE/RL. In this case their being on air wouldn’t make a big difference, would it? But in fact whether RFE/RL is on air or not does make a big difference in terms of provision of alternative source of information. And quite a popular source too!
I should not be but I am quite surprised by the lack of action and support from the media community itself. Ideally I would like to see media representatives during this action not only to report back later, but as participants. Good proof of the fact that we have a very long way to go…
Comment by Marish — July 3, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Marish, I think that the problem is that yesterday’s demo was poorly organized and publicized as well as organized at the last minute. Indeed, I spoke to several people on Sunday about the planned demo, including one employee of RFE/RL, and they hadn’t heard anything about it. To be honest, I had only heard about it because of a comment left on this site by a US-based Diasporan member of Sksela.
Later, two local bloggers and other Sksela members, Bekaisa and Nessuna, posted similar announcements with no additional information on their blogs.
Anyway, unfortunately, while I agree with your point about engaging representatives from the mass media and civil society, you have to remember that everything operates around clans here. So, for example, yesterday’s small demonstration was attended by exactly the same people who always do, just as another meeting or event by some other group will be attended by their people.
This is also one of the obstacles to democratization in Armenia, in my opinion, and needs to change quickly. For example, was yesterday’s event a rally staged in defense of RFE/RL or was it a rally staged by Sksela and CRD/Transparency International to attack the government? I have to be honest from reading this quote in the EurasiaNet article that I have my concerns.
Such statements from the person who appeared to be leading the demonstration seem counter-productive to me and actually the kind of thing that results in less people attending or coming out in support of a far simpler issue — media freedom. Instead, people just become more polarized and the opportunity to unite to campaign on behalf of something worthwhile becomes less than it ever was.
For example, there were also an albeit insignificant number of party representatives at the demonstration, but those I spoke to represented Impeachment, for example. Anyway, I welcome the action, but realize that such things will never achieve results until they represent a wider spectrum of political views in the country and pretty much a wider walk of life.
As it is, everyone who was there yesterday knew each other well, and the event marked continued cooperation between CRD/TI Armenia and Sksela as well as USAID/Counterpart International. The latter surprised me as they usually prefer to remain hidden. Still, maybe not, as the issue of RFE/RL is one of significant importance to the US.
Nevertheless, when Heritage, Orinats Yerkir, as well as independent and any dissenting deputies join in actions held to support RFE/RL and protect media freedom in Armenia rather than simply attack the government then something will change very quickly in combination with other factors.
Yesterday, the idea for the march was good, but it was too polarized in terms of [limited] attendance. Only a minority wore their gags and the main leaders of the march started jeering and whistling outside parliament which I think was inappropriate.
Protest in support of RFE/RL, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2007
Anyway, given the many problems limiting the effectiveness of civil society in Armenia, there’s no doubt that it will be US and European pressure which determines what happens with RFE/RL although I also think Heritage along with some other deputies inside parliament are doing a good job under the circumstances.
This should at least give us hope for democratization in Armenia.
Comment by Onnik — July 3, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Incidentally, Marish has also posted photos from yesterday’s demonstration here.
Comment by Onnik — July 3, 2007 @ 11:36 am
I’ll be short and will have to agree with your comments and concerns. The demo was poorly organized and publicized but I tend to think this was because of the time pressure. I do agree that a wider engagement is needed but am not sure what kind of a wake up call our society needs?
Comment by Marish — July 3, 2007 @ 11:43 am
Marish, I don’t know, but somehow all the players in the political field as well as NGO sector need to earn the trust of society. This is something which is lacking and also something which I believe adds to the problems preventing real democratization in Armenia as well as the participation of the majority of citizens in the process of nation building.
What can be done? Well, pushing issues rather than attacking the government might help. Can it be done? Well, I think some would point to the fact that Heritage managed to pass the 5 percent threshold during the 12 May parliamentary election despite widespread vote buying is a sign that it can be.
Like I said, a demonstration that did not appear to be just another anti-government rally might have attracted more support from people who might be willing to consider the issue of protecting media freedom in Armenia if it was clear that such an action would not be used for other purposes.
Issues should take precedent and not the perpetual battle between groups in civil society, within the political field, and between each other. We need to know that parties and NGOs support or oppose key issues not because of their political ambitions, but because they believe in those issues for the sake of the whole country.
Unfortunately, the population doesn’t see that and sees no reason why they should participate and secondly, they see nothing other than this potential battle which is more about the ambitions and personal objectives of the players involved rather than their well-being and the future of the nation.
Still, regardless of the vote-buying that went on in the parliamentary election, I hope that we are seeing the formation of a mature opposition which can only contribute to a better government, and I also hope that civil society will transform itself into something more reputable as well. Let’s see.
Comment by Onnik — July 3, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
Comment by Onnik — July 3, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
The law has not passed in Second Reading - Lragir.am reports.
Comment by Observer — July 3, 2007 @ 3:37 pm
I just got the same information from someone else too. Great news. Quite a precedent as well.
Comment by Onnik — July 3, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
I haven’t seen anything as ridiculous as this demonstration since Armenia’s Indian medical students started protesting against…well, it was never clear what they were protesting against, but there was Onnik, supporting Armenia’s “minorities” in their plight against a frightened, little university-bureaucrat who…did what? Call an ambulance too late? A bureaucrat not wanting to make a decision, now–there–is a real cause for international alarm!
That fact of the matter is that the bill never intended to stop RFE/RL broadcasts. It’s aim was to change its transmission. If you read RFE’s own report on this matter, they make it sound like that’s nonsense. But it’s not. What it amounts to is this:
Instead of listening to RFE on Armenian Public Radio, you listen to it somewhere else on the dial. Nobody was trying ban RFE, just making making a foreign intelligence agency’s propaganda organ pay its dues the way it does all over Europe.
That’s the long and short of it.
What these people with their silly little gags are doing I don’t know, but this whole soap opera that they’ve kicked up is a little embarrassing.
You all look like idiots, the whole lot of you from Armenians who get your paychecks from RFE (read US Congress), to you State Department bureaucrats who’d be lost without your formulas, to the one or two gullible Armenians that actually bought your flimsy little story.
Congratulations on making Armenia a less democratic country, you fools.
Comment by Armen Filadelfiatsi — July 4, 2007 @ 3:27 am
I haven’t seen anything as ridiculous as this demonstration since Armenia’s Indian medical students started protesting against…well, it was never clear what they were protesting against, but there was Onnik, supporting Armenia’s “minorities” in their plight against a frightened, little university-bureaucrat who…did what? Call an ambulance too late? A bureaucrat not wanting to make a decision, now–there–is a real cause for international alarm!
That fact of the matter is that the bill never intended to stop RFE/RL broadcasts. It’s aim was to change its transmission. If you read RFE’s own report on this matter, they make it sound like that’s nonsense. But it’s not. What it amounts to is this:
Instead of listening to RFE on Armenian Public Radio, you listen to it somewhere else on the dial. Nobody was trying ban RFE, just making making a foreign intelligence agency’s propaganda organ pay its dues the way it does all over Europe.
That’s the long and short of it.
What these people with their silly little gags are doing I don’t know, but this whole soap opera that they’ve kicked up is a little embarrassing.
You all look like idiots, the whole lot of you from Armenians who get your paychecks from RFE (read US Congress), to you American Embassy bureaucrats who’d be lost without your formulas, to the one or two gullible Armenians that actually bought your flimsy little story.
Congratulations on making Armenia a less democratic country, you fools.
Comment by Armen Filadelfiatsi — July 4, 2007 @ 3:28 am
Armen Filadelfiatsi, I never said that this bill was aimed at stopping RFE/RL broadcasts. Instead, it was obvious that it was intended to limit them instead. I’ve also publicly stated that this bill would be acceptable if the media situation was better in Armenia. However, it isn’t, and the bill didn’t pass.
Incidentally, one thing about the concern of everyone I spoke to in Armenia is that it crossed almost all divisions so we had locals and Diasporans concerned. Interestingly, from reading the comments on this blog and others, it seems only a minority OUTSIDE of Armenia appeared to support it.
Anyway, one thing about democracy is when bills get accepted AND rejected based on lobbying, discussion and a whole load of other things. So, we had a good result although of course, we still have a long way to go. That is, when such decisions can be made without international pressure, but anyway.
All in all, a good result for Armenia and one that is crucial for the transparency of the 2008 presidential election as well as democratization in all walks of life. We just need to build on it and take a more tactical rather than emotional response to events in Armenia. I’m glad to see that our new (I keep on wanting to say “mature”) opposition was also part of the process.
As for demonstrations, I’ve already criticized some aspects of it, but ultimately, such things are necessary for democratic societies and certainly for Armenia to proceed along the long and perpetual path of democratization.
:-)
Comment by Onnik — July 4, 2007 @ 9:50 am
Yes, well, thank you for your vague, I-don’t-knowwhat-the-hell-you’re-talking-about statements.
Onnik said: “…it seems only a minority OUTSIDE of Armenia appeared to support it.”
If it weren’t for the 60 some-odd parliamentarians of the Armenian government who voted for and rest that abstained…
Seriously. Do you have your head up your ass?
Comment by Armen Filadelfiatsi — July 4, 2007 @ 11:17 am
Armen Filadelfiatsi, once again you prove that there are elements in the Diaspora who are totally out of touch with the reality of Armenia.
Anyway, the bill didn’t pass thanks to a boycott by the opposition and it would seem some governmental deputies. That’s it, really.
And btw: I welcome all comments from all persuasions of political thought, but I would prefer you to argue your case rather than make personal attacks.
On the other hand, you only discredit yourself in the eyes of other readers, so it’s up to you.
Comment by Onnik — July 4, 2007 @ 11:28 am
Correction:
I was encouraged by the Diasporan involvement in Monday’s demonstration. I saw Alex Sardar, Anoush Tatevosian, Raffi Kojian, Jeffrey Tufenkian and another new arrival there so I take back what I said about the Diaspora and would rephrase my last comment thus:
Comment by Onnik — July 4, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Onnik, let me put it that way. The event was a rally staged in defense of free media initiated by Sksela and CRD/Transparency International. However, I guess one can see it as an attack on government since the government did approve the first reading of the draft bill.
It was too polarized, maybe. But what can you do if representatives of many NGOs, media or/and political parties simply do not care?
Oh yeah and whistling outside parliament is fun
Comment by Nessuna — July 6, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
Well, we’ve had antagonistic and politically partisan demonstrations by NGOs for years and they’ve never achieved anything. In fact, the one major success of NGOs lobbying against a government action has been in the case of Shikahogh and the Mtnadzor forest.
Then, what made the action successful was the way it was organized and the fact that it involved political party representatives from all sides, radical and liberal NGOs and activists, and also prominent individuals and organizations from the Diaspora.
Just my opinion, but the Sksela / CRD-Transparency actions have achieved nothing and will never achieve anything if they are seen to be radical and partisan, which in my opinion they are.
Instead, a more mature response on key issues which are not exploited for personal or political objectives will attract more people. Sorry, but turnout was lousy and they could and should have attracted more people from all walks of life.
In 2002, for example, a few thousand rallied for A1 Plus. This event attracted less than 100 and I don’t think that even if it had been better announced numbers would have been much different as this is about the usual number Sksela / CRD Transparency can attract with their approach.
Interestingly, they can only attract people who are linked to them anyway, and who usually know each other, and it will remain that way until genuine movements for democracy and freedom of the media emerge. As it is, this was a rally by what I consider to be the radical side of civil society.
As for whistling outside of parliament, when you have senior representatives of the local chapter of an international organization whistling and jeering against the government, it’s not appropriate in my opinion.
CRD-Transparency International must maintain neutrality and impartiality in its operations in Armenia if we are to take its anti-corruption initiatives and reports seriously. I don’t think anyone can disagree with that.
Anyway, I think that civil society has failed in its actions when it takes a confrontational stance against the government. That has been shown time and time again in the almost nine years I’ve been in Armenia, and I think a new approach should now be taken.
Encouragingly, we’re seeing that new approach materialize in the form of the new opposition in parliament. I hope this now spreads to civil society as well. I’m convinced that both will be more productive and successful as a result.
Comment by Onnik — July 6, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Incidentally, there’s a huge difference between being against a piece of government-introduced legislation and being anti-government. Probably that difference is what makes a country democratic or not. It’s what makes my native England different from Armenia, for example.
Anyway, in a mature society I think even government supporters can be against a piece of legislation they don’t agree with and can actually be part of attempts to block it. By not taking that into account I think some organizations limit the type and size of support they could attract on key issues.
As I’ve said before, civil society is divided on political grounds and it’s influence on the process of nation-building is limited as a result. The government also won’t involve them in such processes either because the two sides oppose each other. I think we’re in a Catch-22 situation that needs to change if this country is to progress.
Anyway, the demo was welcomed and I’m glad it happened, but I think it would have been more effective and gained more support had the anti-government tone not been there. As I said, there’s a huge difference being anti-government and against some aspects of government policy.
Comment by Onnik — July 6, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
Let me explain to you again what is going on in the country you are living in, because, apparently, your living there hasn’t afforded you any insight.
What you call “free speech” is actually “free propaganda”
This bill was meant to curb the dissemination of the CIA’s brain-rot in Armenia. The fact that 63 of the parliamentarians voted for it and the rest simply abstained means that, yes, indeed, this parliament is a strong parliament, and it is not going to bow under the pressure of Washington-issued threats to smear it.
Again, the Armenian parliament cast about half of its votes against your position, and the other half did not vote for your position. In fact, not ONE single solitary parliamentarian took your side of the argument. Do you know why? Because they are representing the Armenian people, and the Armenian people, the ones living in poverty, are way, way too politically savvy to fall for these ridiculous charades.
Your characterization of these demonstrations is way off the mark, too. These silly NGO demonstrations aren’t meant to change the country from the inside. They are not an organic part of the country and they know it.
The real point of the demonstrations is to stage a photo-op, to get a few misleading photographs, then publish them in the news or on the WWW along with a “native” pleading to the international community–simply begging, don’t you know–for international intervention. It is the production of an EXCUSE that they are after. It’s a media stunt. That, along with prompting millionaire benefactors to lean on Armenian politicians over issues they don’t have the first clue about.
So I don’t know why you’re lamenting their not being a success. They clearly did their job, and you have the photos to prove it.
Comment by Armen Filadelfiatsi — July 7, 2007 @ 1:49 am