An
interview with the Minister of Transportation and Communication Andranik Manoukian
-The competition supposes the presentation of several subjects. But the competitive
commission led by You decided to give to Karabakh Telecom a license hastily without
discussing the alternative suggestions.Why? -The Government has established
a commission and has given an opportunity to carry out a competition according
to established order and conditions of the commission. The Government has such
an opportunity in exclusive cases by law. The commission led by me determined
the order and conditions and we considered that Karabagh Telecom satisfied those
conditions. The enclosing package of that company makes provision for enclosing
50 million dollars to establish a mobile connection in Armenia. It is especially
important for us to establish such a connection in the frontier regions of Armenia.
And the quality that provides that company is higher than the quality of "ArmenTel".
Consequently, if we have two operators of mobile connection the next year the
rivalry will cultivate which will abate the price of the service and will raise
the quality of the connection. I want to mention another important circumstance
that certainly has affected on the decision of our commission. The Karabagh Telecom
in Karabagh, which is a risky region, has invested 15 million dollars and according
to our licence it undertakes to invest another 10 million dollars. Besides, the
company must pay 7 million dollars to the Armenian State budget for taking a licence.
The company has provided Karabagh for the rouming connection with 88 countries
promoting developed countries to recognize Artsakh in that field. The connection
operators of the UK, France, China and other developed countries have signed treaties
with Karabagh Telecom, hasn’t it? Why wouldn’t we give the company an opportunity
to become the second operator in Armenia with very limited rights? Karabagh Telecom
will work only in the mobile connection field. The other services of communications
"ArmenTel" supplies. Eventually with this action and the previous
actions of the Government we stand against Adrbejan’s efforts to deprive Artsakh
connecting with the outside world. I hope that no Armenian will want that Adrbejan’s
plans come true. That’s why I’d call to our opposition not to abuse this problem.
It isn’t the issue where it is possible to earn political points.- In the
name of the company the word "Karabagh" may suggest the society that
the owners of that business are officials of high rank from Karabagh by birth.-
They are wicked gossips. I hope when the owner of Karabagh Telecom the Arabian
Pier Mishel Fettush visits Armenia you will have the opportunity to speak to him.
Then such kind of incongruous doubts won’t appear. Actually neither any official
from Armenia or from Karabagh and any Armenian in general doesn’t concern to that
business.- Is it true, that between You and The Minister of Justice David
Haroutiunian a hostility has appeared because of the latest events?- It’s
another legend. David Haroutiunian and I are the members of the Government and
we must show our standpoints during the session of the Government. Sometimes the
standpoints concur, sometimes not. If all ministers in all issues are agreed with
each other then it won’t be the necessity to hold sessions and exchange the opinions.
The Government isn’t a nursery school to spread the hostility to each other. David
Haroutiunian showed his standpoint, I showed mine then the Government made a decision.
And now we, as colleagues, work together to realize that and other decisions.Aram
Abrahamian
