Re-Greening Armenia
BY GAREN YEGPARIAN
Just a few days ago, some good news hit regarding the environment of
our homeland. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced a bill titled `Haiti
and Armenia Reforestation Act’. But as with everything in life, it is
not unalloyed good news. Also, in a somewhat atypical development, the
bill was initiated by the senator, not the Armenian community, though
he did reach out to our groups regarding the legislation.
The first thing to pop into anyone’s mind that sees this is, `Haiti
and Armenia together? Huh? What’s the connection?’ There’s history and
there’s politics. Both countries used to be extensively forested. Over
time, each through its own series of abuses, the trees have been
largely lost.
When in French hands some three centuries ago, Haiti was described as
the richest colony anywhere in the world. But it was also a slave
based economy. Then, Haiti became independent, but was saddled with
the antipathy of its former overlord and has struggled economically.
That impoverishment coupled with ignorance of the economic importance
of forests, as happens everywhere, led to consumption of trees at
unsustainable rates, creating an island almost devoid of trees. Now,
when tropical storms strike the (Caribbean) isle, massive mudslides
destroy homes and kill people. When earthquakes strike, landslides
take another huge toll. With no forests to do the job, fresh water for
drinking is scarce. Armenia’s history is similar, though spanning a
longer period of time. Centuries of invaders, desperation, and
ignorance have rendered Armenia almost desert like. No doubt you’ve
seen pictures of the Western Armenian landscape and noticed the
desolation. The Republic of Armenia (RoA) is not quite as badly off,
but given the extractive rapaciousness that is driving the
government’s resource management policy (or lack thereof), the
moon-scaping of the RoA may not be far off.
So there is some logic to the juxtaposition of Armenia and Haiti. But
the fact that Sen. Durbin has tried to pass a Haiti reforestation bill
unsuccessfully probably played a larger role in this `joining’ of
countries. Plus, he visited Armenia last year, and while there, may
have observed or been informed of the dangers Armenian woodlands (what
little remains) are facing. He’s probably thinking, `With both Haiti
and Armenia in my bill, I can get the lobbying support of both
constituencies,’ and he’s probably right.
Next you’re probably wondering how this will be implemented if the
bill becomes law. Will the U.S. buy a bunch of trees and have them
planted in Armenia? Will it just give the money for this to be done?
It turns out that the RoA would be required to set aside tracts of
land, both currently forested and subsequently planted, that would be
protected from the axe. In exchange, the RoA would receive two things:
technical assistance, support, and capacity-building expertise to
accomplish the reforestation and debt forgiveness/reduction from
international creditors. This arrangement, referred to as a
debt-for-nature swap, would be mediated by a nongovernmental
conservation group.
So we have a situation where, based on first principles, there is a
good proposal on the table. But, it needs refinement. Given the
irresponsible approach demonstrated by the RoA’s government on the
environmental front (questionable mining practices unchecked, illegal
lumbering ignored, the near irrelevancy of very good laws that are on
the books, and the ever-present corruption that taints everything in
the country), strong compliance and enforcement measures must be
included in the legislation.
A very important, though hidden, political calculus may also be
driving Durbin. Despite his strong support on issues revolving about
Artzakh and the Genocide (he used to be an author of resolutions), in
recent years, he has backed off. In part, he has used the foolhardy
Protocols as an excuse. It is our job to make clear to him that we
appreciate environmental initiatives such as this proposal, but it
cannot replace, only supplement, his support on our core issues, the
ones he has been cool to since the lying President Obama commenced his
love-fest with Turkey.
Let’s all support this bill. Let’s make sure it is strengthened before
it is passed. Let’s communicate our concerns to Sen. Durbin. Let’s get
our compatriots, friends, and relatives in his state of Illinois to
convey the same concerns. It’s good to see how much more integrated in
world politics and economics our concerns have become. But, let’s make
sure we achieve a comprehensive, meaningful, and practicable law as
the outcome.
http://asbarez.com/114459/re-greening-armenia/