Victor Dallakian, Opposition Rally, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2004

RFE/RL carries an explanation by MP Victor Dallakian on why the controversial bill which many suspected would be used to limit the radio station’s broadcasts in the country was rejected on its second reading in the Armenian National Assembly. Dallakian is believed to be the individual responsible for coordinating opposition and independent deputy efforts to prevent the bill from being passed.

The National Assembly lacked only one vote to make a quorum and adopt the bill, widely believed to be directed against RFE/RL’s Armenian-language broadcasts, in the final reading on Tuesday. Its opposition minority mainly representing the Zharangutyun and Orinats Yerkir parties boycotted the vote at the last-minute urging of Dallakian. The opposition was greatly helped by the unexpected failure of many pro-government deputies to take part in the vote.

Dallakian, who is not affiliated with any party, said their absence testifies to disagreements within the country’s leadership. “I don’t find accidental the fact that the so-called parliamentary majority, which is not monolithic, was not properly present at the National Assembly,” he told reporters. “Some of them were told not to show up. Others registered but did not take part in the vote. This was directed by somebody.”

[…]

Dallakian did not specify whether he thinks Kocharian and Sarkisian disagree on the issue. He claimed only that Kocharian will not support Sarkisian during next year’s presidential election and will endorse a Dashnaktsutyun candidate instead.

The same topic is also discussed in many of Armenia’s newspapers. RFE/RL carries summarized translations in its Press Review.

“Although the parliament opposition was convinced yesterday that it thwarted the adoption of a package of amendments to the laws on television and radio and state duties, there were all the grounds to assert that if the parliament majority very much wanted to or if it was instructed to ensure the bill’s second-reading passage, it would definitely ensure strong attendance and a sufficient number of votes,” writes “Azg.” The paper points to the absence of many pro-government deputies from Tuesday’s session of the National Assembly.”

[…]

“Given President Robert Kocharian’s persistence, one should not doubt that he will again bring the bills stripping Radio Liberty of air to the parliament,” writes “Aravot.” “That this is personally done by Kocharian is clear. The government and the parliament would not want to lower their already low approval rating. But even in this atmosphere of fear, there were decent people, one of whom spoke out and another voted against those drafts,” the paper says, referring to Prosperous Armenia deputy Vahe Hovannisian and businessman Khachatur Sukiasian.

“According to some reports, they are very angry at the presidential palace about the defeat of the bill,” says “Hayk.” “Robert Kocharian is preparing to summon [leaders of] the parliament majority and scold them.” The paper says the bill will be re-introduced during the autumn session of the National Assembly because “for Kocharian, the closure of Radio Liberty is a matter of principle.” “So the fight has yet to come,” it concludes.

“Haykakan Zhamanak” likewise contends that the danger of a government ban on RFE/RL broadcasts has not been eliminated. “The thing is that the term of the [retransmission] agreement between Public Radio and Liberty expired in February this year and was not extended,” explains the paper. “The head of Public Radio, Armen Amirian, said that a new agreement is undergoing a legal examination which will be complete soon. After that the agreement will have to be discussed by the board of Public Television and Radio and, in case of the latter’s consent, Public Radio will sign it. But it may also not sign. The whole purpose of bringing those bills to the National Assembly was to shift responsibility for not signing such an agreement from the Public Television and Radio board to the National Assembly, something which did not work out.” The paper says the authorities will now try to block RFE/RL broadcasts either by pushing the bill through the parliament or simply not signing a new retransmission agreement.

I think this last point by Haykakan Zhamanak is the most important. As I’ve said before on this blog, many believe that the bill was introduced in order to find an excuse to stop RFE/RL broadcasts on Public Radio in a way which would keep the government and presidential palace away from any blame. However, even if this bill failed, RFE/RL still lacks an agreement with Public Radio and could theoretically be pulled off the air at any moment.

Of course, there would be significant local and international outcry, but if it was ever necessary, the authorities could theoretically do so. Once again, complacency shouldn’t kick in now that the bill has been defeated.