On February 15 the staff of "A1+" TV company disseminates an appeal
to the heads of the foreign embassies active in Armenia requesting a political
asylum – "until democratic rule is established in Armenia". As it
has been reported, one of the first private TV channels of the country "A1+"
has been out of air for over 10 months already, not having been granted a broadcast
license on April 2, 2002. The chance for the TV company to take part in the
new competition and resume broadcasting is constantly delayed.
"The compulsory 11-month idleness and the picture of the TV environment
that has been formed in the absence of "A1+" induce us, the staff
of the TV company, to think we have nothing to do in this country. The authorities
who appeal to be tolerant were intolerant to the freedom of speech and relevant
criticism, could not endure the confrontation with the reality", the address
of "A1+" says.