Democratic Party of Armenia pledges
to protect press freedom in new parliament
 
Text of report by Armenian news agency Snark
Yerevan, 18th May: The chairman of the Democratic Party of
Armenia [DPA], Aram Sarkisyan, has told today's press
conference that his party will defend the independent press in
the new parliament. In his opinion, the Democrats must insist
on the adoption of legislation that not only embodies the
freedom and independence of the mass media but forces
journalists to assume responsibility for their words. After the
elections the party intends to resume the publication of the
DPA's 'Azdarar' newspaper.
 
The DPA is standing independently in the parliamentary
elections, showing a preference for the proportional over the
majority system. "In constituencies under the
first-past-the-post system mafiosi structures are battling for
seats in parliament and under such conditions DPA activity is
inadmissible," Aram Sarkisyan said.
Aram Sarkisyan is confident that the DPA will receive
about 10 per cent of the vote in the future parliament.
Alluding to possible threats from rivals, the Democrat leader
said that "the party will find the means to curb disorder in
precincts, but within the framework of law".
 
Source: Snark news agency, Yerevan, in Russian 1400 gmt 18 May 99
BBC Mon TCU 190599 cal/fm