got any doubts?

(Ответить) (Thread)

the bloody drafts passed the first reading already.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

августик,ты работаешь на радио "Свобода"?

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

не зли меня, Слон.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

можешь пожаловаться на меня на радио "Свобода" пока не прикрыли

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Паситесь, мирные народы

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Люблю тебя,но странною любовью.../ц/

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

паситесь мирные народы...
ну нахер вам ярмо "свободы"?

а?

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Ярмо с гремушками да бич.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

i guess by drafts u mean dwarfs? i would say ogres, hehe...

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

I meant the draft laws:) in any case, the people who passed them do resemble ogres...

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Well, technically it won't be. Just that it won't be able to broadcast on Public Radio and will have to instead look to private stations. Of course, I think we can guess what will happen then with some pressure being put on those stations not to sign any deal with RFE/RL.

However, I spoke to someone with RFE/RL today and they think that the station will be deprived of air on public and private FM stations and they'll have to revert back to broadcasting on SW as they did in the Soviet era.

Unfortunately, few people have radios which pickup SW so even if the bill in itself doesn't categorically state that RFE/RL will be deprived of broadcasting and that its audience will be reduced, that is effectively what will happen.

Still, you have to hand it to the government. Adopting legislation that probably does fit in with European standards, but which ultimately will lead to a situation far from Europe. Clever.

Onnik

(Ответить) (Thread)

Как же вы не понимаете, только с радио свободой мы можем стать свободными? Несвободными жить нельзя! Радио свобода нам в помощь! Оранжевая революция нам поможет! Сксела - наше будущее! Будем есть кортошку Фри! Фри! Фри! Фри!
Вы все еще несвободны?! Тогда мы идем к Вам!

(Ответить) (Thread)

ну и? что означало это патетическое высказывание?

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

да, и я вот хотела спросить, это должно быть смешно ?

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

мы будем свободны с АЛМ. вот он, наш национальный путь.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Тигран Карапетыч - вещь в себе!

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Вай-вай-вай! Август? Изабелла? Вы что все с Радио Свобода? :)
Куда это я попал?!

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

а что, хотеть иметь НОРМАЛЬНОЕ КАЧЕСТВЕННОЕ СМИ - значит, на нем работать? Меня, знаешь ли, панармениан как источник информации не устраивает. Мне альтернативные точки зрения интересны.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

А я приверженец того, что народу не надо подавать все то дерьмо, которым заполнено пространство и называть это альтернативой. Народ должен смореть и видеть, как хорошо работает правительство, как удачно справляются с преступностью, как все веселятся и пляшут на улицах. Не означает, что закрыв народу глаза, можно про проблему забыть, эту другой вопрос как с теж же самым дерьмом бороться. Но выставлять грязное белье напоказ и называть это альтернативным источником информации - я не считаю правильным! :) Есть одна правда - официальная точка зрения. И народ должен ее принимать.
Тоталитаризм - в массы!
Представляю, что тут щас начнется. Тихо удаляюсь :)

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Роскошно.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Интересная позиция. В свое время, в 1996г. когда дашнаки еще сидели в подвале КГБ, одна знакомая Беллы (точнее ее мамы) мне сказала "ну, да, я согласна, что это не совсем хорово, но зачем же выносить сор из избы? Я думаю, что это не в интересах нации". Ответ мой был прост: "Надо выносить сор, ибо так и будем все время жить в грязи как свиньи".

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Вот именно! Презираю тех чухмарей, которые лаяли на Шаварша Кочаряна за то, что он якобы "выносил сор из избы". Это что, было секретом и он "вынес"? Они что, не читали многочисленные открытые репорты и отчёты как армянских, так и международных организаций, от которых краснеешь от стыда? У этих не уважающих себя лжепатриотов не было острого чувства оскорблённости и унижения, когда высшее руководство страны открытым текстом всему миру заявляло, что армянский народ - это скопище недоумков и баранов с неандертальским "менталитетом" и именно поэтому Армения не в состоянии провести нормальных человеческих выборов ПО СВОИМ ЖЕ СОБСТВЕННЫМ ЗАКОНАМ??!!!

Более того, с каких это пор в извращённых головах некоторой части армянства очищать себя - не в интересах нации?? Сидеть в гавне, молчать как баран, добровольно становиться раком, чтобы тебя оттрахали и полиция, и чиновники, и бритоголовые твари, и Центральный Банк, и разные олигархи с увеличивающимися ценами на все товары - это, я полагаю, "в интересах нации", да????? Fuck! Полицию, чиновников и олигархов я считаю просто педерастами, но вот таких тварей - педерастами втройне!!! Именно потому, что они ДОБРОВОЛЬНО соглашаются со сложившейся грязной системой! Я не призываю всех к активной политической деятельности (кто этим занимается по зову благородного сердца - тем моё глубокое уважение и признательность!), но каждый гражданин Армении должен ВНУТРЕННЕ (даже если никто другой не услышит!) восставать против этой омерзительной системы, которая страшно извращает основные моральные устои нации!

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Суть проблемы как раз в том, что многих эта система устраивает. Т.е. правила "подмазывания", "уворовывания", "блатные сделки" и т.д. устраивают слишком многих.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

+ shaaaaaaaat !

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Да,да конечно,Шаварш-это олицетворение чистоты политического деятеля,идеал,на который должны равняццо все!

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Вот это и есть самое страшное! Внутренняя моральная деградация нации. Каждый новый ребёнок с извращённо формирующимися основами, что хорошо и что плохо, что правильно и что неправильно, что порядочно и что нет - почти потерян для Армении, которую я и Вы хотим видеть! И число этих детей увеличивается, а не уменьшается. (О чём говорить, если моя собственная двоюродная сестра не далее как вчера написала мне - в ответ на мою "пропаганду", чтобы две её подрастающие дочери учились, а не "вращали попами" - буквально следующее: "sovorelx lav bana,baic es kanqum vor xaghcneln a ancnum. prcav hogevor snund, nerqin ashharh. egav dodik ,het es mnum kianqic ed qo gavarain amerikaium." Без сомнения, это написано с иронией, но всё-таки показательно...)

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Ну конкретно в случае с Шаваршом общество как раз очень правильно оценило его как личность.
В итоге этот человек пошел на сделку с властями а совсем недавно назвал выборы 12-ого мая справедливыми.
То есть латентный пидор ( пользуюсь вашей терминологией ) в принципе не может очищать страну ни изнутри ни в стенах ПАСЕ, поскольку он мечтал не об очищении, а об том что его поимели более культурно чем принято в данном обществе.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Младец,лрив сртовсер:)

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

I do not think so. Embassy is about to send a note to NA, president and PM. We still want 200M$ from MCC. I do not think they will like the fact that the government which enjoy congress money is about to switch off congress funded radio.

(Ответить) (Thread)

I spoke to someone at RFE/RL yesterday and he said that this is what the station is hoping for. That is that the U.S. makes it clear publicly or privately that it will not look well upon the end of RFE/RL broadcasts. As you say, there's a lot of money resting on good governance and democratization and so on.

Thing is, if the law says that foreign organizations and companies are not allowed to broadcast on Public Radio, there's presumably no way they can make an exception for RFE/RL. Anyway, as I said previously, nobody is expecting RFE/RL to be closed down. However, it might be that it's audience is severely limited if it is unable to broadcast through private radio stations.

Basically, RFE/RL does have the money to pay for the slots on commercial stations. However, whether private radio stations accept them is going to be decided behind closed doors and will be political. Again, as you say, the position of the U.S. is crucial here.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

I’ve just come back from a very interesting interview on Karabakh with Heritage’s Stepan Safarian. Anyway, afterwards we spoke about the RFE/RL issue and not least because Safarian is quite vocal in parliament as to the bill. Anyway, his opinion is pretty much what many people are concerned about.

That is, this initiative is designed to take RFE/RL off the airwaves in a way that makes it seem that this is not a personal attack on the station by Kocharian. Obviously, it is believed that the initiative is timed as Armenia is about to enter the presidential pre-election period.

Under what many people consider to be the scenario that will then play out, RFE/RL will be unable to broadcast nationwide on public radio. Some pressure will be applied on private radio stations not to take RFE/RL broadcasts although some limited reach stations might. According to Safarian, if this happens then this is significant enough to damage Armenia’s position with regards to MCA funding.

Interestingly, there is also word that there is a personal side to this and not one just connected to the presidential election. Apparently, Jermuk is believed by some to be owned by Kocharian and the recent ban on the bottled medicinal mineral water in the US was some kind of warning sent to Armenia. This legislation is a tit-for-tat response from Kocharian back.

Not sure how true any of that is and for sure I think limiting RFE/RL’s audience ahead of the presidential election is the main reason for the legislation, but anyway. Safarian will be presenting Heritage’s position on the bill on Monday and will also suggest the wording of the bill is changed.

That is, as the legislation is based on the idea that public radio and TV is financed from the State budget, Heritage will suggest that RFE/RL can broadcast on public radio as long as it pays the money into the budget instead of to the station. Of course, it’s unlikely that such a change will be accepted and after waiting a few months, RFE/RL will effectively stop broadcasting and it will be hard pressed to find a station which will accept its broadcasts and which can reach the same audience.

Hopefully, some brave private stations such as Radio Hye will work out a deal with RFE/RL, but I suppose significant pressure will be applied on them not to. Let’s see, but I don’t expect anything good to come from what in my opinion is the latest attack on media freedom in Armenia. Certainly, Safarian is convinced that it has everything to do with the presidential election in 9 months. Basically, he argues, many of those that take bribes in parliamentary elections are less likely to do so in what are considered more important presidential ones.

On that basis alone, RFE/RL has always played an important role in broadcasting balanced coverage and it is for this reason that the president and government do not want them doing the same early next year when the stakes are the highest they’ve been in recent years. That is, the issue of succession to Kocharian when he has to step down.

Onnik

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

If they get away with this, do you think the next step would be to prohibit the access to internet sites hosted outside Armenia?

I am surprised at the Kocharian/Sargsian administration. They think they have the balls to challenge the US. Kicking the asses of the Armenian citizens is one thing, trying to kick the American ass is a completely different thing.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

There is no Kocharyan/Sargsyan administration. They do not play against each other, but they also do not play together right now. This action was initiated by Kocharyan, Serge was not well–aware what could happen, as well as the minister of interior who was shocked by public's response to proposed laws. Right now he is trying to change the law in a way it would be accepted by US.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Hi Onnik. Safaryan is nice guy, but they (Heritage) are very unexperienced. I met him today afternoon and truly speaking his point on this issues was very vague. I think they have to listen what Dallakyan will say on Monday session, it would be not just his opinion, but the agreed approach of several people. Safatyan went RFE office late and did not participate in a very interesting conversation. There was some unofficial information concerning the US ambassador's meeting with top Armenian authorities. Ambassador said that the assistance provided by US government include financial, technical and institutional components and RFE is an important part of that assistance which set ups kind of standard for freedom of speach and pluralism. Armenia can not accept a part of that assistance and reject another part. It could accept the whole assistance or reject it also entirely. He also said that US considers Armenia as a long–terms partner and expects Armenia to be friendly in response to the friendship. And, of course, US is interested in Armenia being democratic. That's strong point. If government will try to ban RFE it could be (with high level of probability) a reason for termination of MCC program and some USAID programs as well. It's a strong point. Americans finally drown their attention on unappropriated behavior of our government.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

well, OK, elections, Radio Liberty/US government thing, I understand. Probably they will elaborate kind of compromise out in this case. But what about the actual law ? What does it mean ? Does it mean that no other broadcaster will be even allowed in to the public channels ? Radio Liberty is something that exists today and perhaps could be "saved" today, but can disappear in 10 or 15 years, right ?

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Well, I would actually argue that in a developed country you wouldn't have a situation where a foreign news service transmits on public TV so actually I agree to some extent with what the Prosperous Armenia guy said in parliament. You can't imagine any equivalent of RFE/RL broadcasting on the BBC, for example.

However, that makes sense in a country where the media is stronger than it is in Armenia. So, if this were introduced in the future I wouldn't mind as long as the local media scene is evolved and sustainable enough to be more independent, but we're clearly not in that situation.

Therefore, such arguments are not applicable, in my opinion, when such legislation will adversely affect the media situation here.

This is why I think that the issue is now and concerns RFE/RL -- not anything in the future. One hopes that in 10-15 years there will be no need for RFE/RL or equivalent in Armenia, right?

Incidentally, on the subject of RFE/RL I met a senior figure from one of the most well known political parties in Armenia yesterday and he said that he had heard rumors that RFE/RL's Emil Danielyan doesn't exist and that the name is just a pseudonym for someone who wants to keep their identity secret.

Well, Emil was in hysterics when I told him that later on last night. Assuming, of course, that his name really was Emil and I wasn't hallucinating by imagining him sitting opposite me. ;-)

Anyway, just goes to show you how stupid some of the conspiracy stories involving RFE/RL can be. :-)

Onnik

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

small correction:

Well, I would actually argue that in a developed country you wouldn't have a situation where a foreign news service transmits on public TV OR RADIO...

Onnik

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

BBC news are on PBS and NPR in the US (public TV and public radio partially funded by the Federal government). They purchase the rights to broadcast BBC programs so the foreign entity is actually paid instead of paying like the proposed law in Armenia.

BBC has its own channel on cable.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

I think the main point is that a media outlet paying a public broadcaster to air their programs is something very different to what you describe. Actually, I don't think we should really even be comparing the situation in Armenia and abroad in case we lose sight of what this bill is trying to do.

It's not about whether foreign broadcasters can buy time on public radio or TV. The bill's goal is to restrict and frustrate RFE/RL's operation in the country.

That's it, really, and rather than the government be openly seen to stop public radio from signing a new agreement with RFE/RL they're trying to be clever by dressing up this attack as some legislative change apparently not targeted specifically towards RFE/RL even if we all know that in actual fact it is.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Sorry, that Anonymous was me. Wish I could read and understand Russian to make sense of this Live Journal interface and option for comments.

Onnik

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

I was not trying to introduce a red herring - just pointing out that foreign government sponsored broadcasts can be on public airwaves in developed countries.

The first button under the comment box is to 'Add Comments', the second one is 'More Options...'.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Nazarian, wasn't suggesting you were. Indeed, I think it was me that first mentioned something about foreign broadcasters in other countries so if anyone did it was probably me.

Anyway, thanks for the translation of the buttons not that it makes things more understandable. Was hoping there was an option for entering my name/details etc without having to log in to anything and instead of using the anonymous option.

Onnik

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

If you register for Livejournal, then it will keep you logged on and you won't be anonymous. The interface language will still be Russian for this blog (it's the owner that defines the language) but at least you won't have to type your name each time.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

And we (registred users) will get your comments via e-mail and will not need to check them out in old records :)

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Yes, in many of countries. But, the point is that developed countries do not depend on foreign aid. Americans do not insist on having RFE on public radio, but they consider that as a part of relationship with the country. Taking Congress funded radion from public TV is a kind of unfriendly action and US may also stop financial assitance. Why they should help a country which is not friendly?

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)

Very true. I made a similar point on my blog earlier albeit in much stronger terms.

(Ответить) (Parent) (Thread)