Temporary Parliamentary Commission examining the Armenian Government’s activity in the field of communication has presented its report. As Chairman of the commission Vazgen Manukian stated, the commission had studied the Government’s activity in the period of 1990-2001. He noted some members of the commission considered avoidance of payment by minute would not be a success, thus “every possible retardation of the process” was necessary. In Manukian’s words, the problem can be solved in two ways. One is depriving “ArmenTel” Telecommunication Company of the license and the right to impose payment by minute due to failing to fulfill its investment obligations. In his opinion, this will let postpone introduction of payment by minute a year. At the same time the Chairman of the commission stressed it was the hardest way, as all appropriate documents were not collected yet. He also noted making corresponding changes in the Law on Communication could solve the problem. Chairman of the commission said he is a staunch supporter of privatization but “not in such a strategic and profitable sphere as telecommunication.” “This field could easily develop while remaining state ownership,” – V.Manukian stated.
The Parliament passed the decision to prolong the term of the commission’s activity for another two months.
ԻմPANը
