The RA National Science Academy (NSA) continues demanding “A1+” TV company to vacate the premises it uses at one of the Yerevan buildings, also hosting a number of media editorial offices. This was stated to YPC by the Director of “A1+” Mesrop Movsesian. As it has been reported, this demand was repeatedly voiced by the Science Academy throughout the past year and, in the opinion of “A1+” head, is illegitimate, since the building itself is owned by the RA Government and was transferred to the NSA balance for use (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, December 10-16, 2004). On December 6 last year “A1+” addressed the Government with a request for permission to privatize the premises used. The response to the application, received from the Department of the State Property Management of the RA Government, said that the premises in question are not subject to privatization, since are governed by the NSA. According to Mesrop Movsesian, on January 5, 2005 the Academy demanded that “A1+” vacate the premises within 15 days; otherwise, the issue of eviction will be resolved by the court. Also, as the Director of “A1+” stressed, the NSA wants the TV company to repay the office rental liabilities, equal to 700 thousand AMD (about $ 1,500). By this, Mesrop Movsesian noted, NSA violates the existing agreement between the parties, according to which the rent is deduced from the investment “A1+” had made in the building renovation.
YPC Comment: “A1+” TV company was deprived of air on April 2, 2002 due to the refusal of the National Commission on Television and Radio to grant it a license. Since that time “A1+” participated in seven more broadcast licensing competitions with no success and made futile challenges of the NCTR resolutions with the judicial bodies of the country. Throughout these years the numerous international organizations, the journalistic community of the country has repeatedly addressed and continues to address the Armenian authorities with a demand to reconsider the politically motivated attitude to “A1+” and to provide the public with the possibility of hearing an alternative viewpoint. Presently, “A1+”, operating as a production studio, along with the editorial office of a popular web site www.a1plus.am and “Ayb-Feh” weekly and the Television Training Courses of the “A1+” founder, “Meltex” LLC, can find themselves in the street. Apparently, the state association of the Armenian scientific elite, namely, the National Science Academy, is resolved to “clear the territory” from “dissidents”. The answer to the question “what does it need it for” calls for several versions. But we shall wait and see how things develop…
