Author: Kanayan Tamar

EUROVISION JUNIOR 2014
Betty (11 ans) avec sa chanson > représentera
l’Arménie à l’Eurovision Junior 2014

C’est la chanteuse Betty (Elizabeth Danielyan, 11 ans) avec sa chanson
“People of the Sun” qui représentera l’Arménie à l’Eurovision Junior
2014 qui se déroulera le samedi 15 novembre à Malte.

16 pays participeront à ce concours de l’Eurovision Junior 2014. Il
s’agit de l’Arménie, le Belarus, la Bulgarie, la Croatie, Chypre, la
Géorgie, l’Italie, Malte, le Montenegro, la Russie, San Marin, la
Serbie, la Slovénie, la Suède, les Pays Bas et l’Ukraine. > dit Betty aux journalistes lors d’une
conférence de presse à Erévan. Très à l’aise face aux caméras Betty
est déjà très célèbre en Arménie. Sa chanson > est
écrite par Avet Barseghian et l’arrangement musical est de Martin
Mirzoyan. La chanson, placée sous Youtube a déjà plus de 50 000
visites en une semaine.

Ce sera la 8e participation de l’Arménie à l’Eurovision Junior. En
2010 l’Arménie ayant gagné le concours grce à Vladimir Arzumanyan
avec sa chanson >.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 8 novembre 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com

Incumbent authorities must leave – Bagrat Asatryan

17:00 / 07.11.2014

On October 10 Armenia signed the agreement on membership to the
Eurasian Economic Union. Nyut.am conducted an interview with the
former chairman of the Central Bank, economist Bagrat Asatryan on what
to expect from economically declining Russia, what Armenia will
benefit or what difficulties it will face.

– Mr Asatryan you have mentioned many times that the Eurasian Economic
Union will not be a viral structure, that it will not function, while
our authorities claim that it is a new big market with wide
opportunities which will promote our economic development. Which is
more realistic?

– In general the Eurasian Union still remains a political project in
case of Armenia as its economic significance for our country is tiny.
Russia and the members of the Union do not have and cannot have any
economic interest in Armenia. Take for instance the volume of
trade-economic relations. We have them with Russia but very small with
Belarus and Kazakhstan.
They claim that we will have brilliant future, but it is not so with
the simple reason that we are separated from the united territory. If
we were joined, the opportunities would have been much wider while
today the whole communication with the member states is being
implemented through narrow mountainous road which may collapse and put
us in complicated situation. The alternatives ways are very expensive.
It means that the prior thing is the communication means, the lack of
reliable land road. This issue is not being discussed today.

– Can the Armenian producers stand the competition?

– We have registered one negative factor – the high transportation
price. As to the guarantees and prerequisites for the Armenian
producers to appear in beneficial situation, this issue is rather
complicated. First, Belarus, Russia and partially Kazakhstan
essentially differ from Armenia regarding the economic principles. The
state’s participation in the economy in these countries is
significant. The state is behind Russian producer with quite serious
resources. Today, for instance, Russia’s financial system is facing
some issues and the state immediately says that it will provide
assistance. Is this possible in Armenia? Of course not, as we do not
have such opportunities.

– Which is Armenia’s hope?

– There is no serious project, division of work, establishment of new
production or restoration of old ones, moreover, there were no
investments in the enterprises handed to Russia within the framework
of Property for Debt deal. I have not heard of any program aimed at
development of the sphere. The hope probably is that the Armenian
businessmen will find their place in these markets due to their
flexibility and mainly in food market, in the sphere of reprocessing
the agricultural products, but there are some risks here too agreed
with the economic policies conducted in these countries.

– Which are they?

– For instance in the beginning of the year Russia’s national currency
devaluated by 1/3, the same happened with the national currency of
Belarus and Kazakhstan while Armenia has stabile currency. In such
conditions the Armenian producers do not have comparative competition
privileges. And there are a number of such things which must at least
give food for thought. Under the political pressures Armenia follows
this way but the authorities must solve some issues. Which is the
guarantee that the same Armenian businessman will not leave Armenia
for these countries where better conditions are created?

– What steps must the authorities undertake for solving the mentioned issues?

– Our economy is more liberate and now it will face economic system
with state’s participation and it is obvious that our system will have
some issues. It is necessary to work out approaches for economic,
currency policies which will make entrance to the new system without
losses or even with benefit.

– If to consider the reduction of living conditions of the people, the
increase of the unemployment rate, what will happen with Armenia?

– Among the domestic issues the economic one is not a priority. The
country is buried in injustice and self-willingness if not to say in
crime, starting from forming political power through wide-spread
violations of the Constitution till the governance principles. Armenia
has become a country for minorities – oligarchs, the invaders of the
political power, low-quality managers who are not even able to
understand the existing issues and moreover to propose solutions. And
all know where this situation can lead to.

– It is claimed that Armenia will have 250 million USD income from
general customs fees. Which is your forecast?

– There are issues here too. Armenia joins the union in condition of
sanctions imposed against Russia. As a result of these sanctions the
imports to Russia have reduced. That is to say the sum of the
collected customs fees will gradually reduce. How is it possible for
Armenia to benefit in such conditions? Russia is not in bad condition
but under the sanctions it is a declining economic unit and we must
realize it. Russia states that in the upcoming three years it will
have zero economic growth, its financial opportunities will
essentially reduce which already affects and will continue affecting
Armenia.

– It appears that the living conditions of people may become worse.

– We already face it. The reduction of private transfers negatively
affects people’s living conditions. We are not only going to the worse
but we do it not being prepared to it anyhow as the authorities in our
countries are weak, are of low-quality.

– What must be done to change the situation in our country?

– First of all it is necessary to restore legality.

– Do you see any prerequisites for it?

– Of course. I see the prerequisites in the square where this demand
is being put. The incumbent authorities who are buried in flaws must
leave.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Studies Program
Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Coordinator
5245 N. Backer Ave. PB4
Fresno CA 93740-8001

ASP Office: 559-278-2669
Office: 559-278-2669
FAX: 559-278-2129
Visit the ASP Website:

Photo caption: Armenian Summer Study Group students at Khor Virap
Monastery. Mt. A rarat in the background.

`Armenia Today: Summer Study Trip 2014′
by Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian

Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Director of the Armenian Studies Program
at Fresno State will give an illustrated presentation on `Armenia
Today: Summer Study Trip 2014′ at 7:30PM on Tuesday, November 18, in
the University Business Center, Alice Peters Auditorium, Room 191, on
the Fresno State campus.

The lecture is part of the Fall Lecture Series of the Armenian Studies
Program, supported by the Leon S. Peters Foundation.

Prof. Der Mugrdechian has led six student groups to Armenia over the
past 25 years. In the summer of 2014, together with Prof. Sergio La
Porta of the Armenian Studies Program, he led a group of nine students
on the Summer Study Trip, from May 26-June 11. The presentation will
discuss some of the major experiences that the group had, including
visits with Yerevan State University college students and visits to
the Mer Hooys-Our Hope home in Yerevan.

Some of the students who participated in the Summer Study Trip will
also recount their experiences, giving a different perspective to the
presentation.

Barlow Der Mugrdechian is Director of the Armenian Studies Program and
the Center for Armenian Studies at Fresno State and has been teaching
Armenian language, art, history, and culture courses for thirty years.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Free parking is available,
with a parking code 273501, after 7:00PM at Fresno State Lots P5 and
P6, near the University Business Center.

For more information about the lecture please contact the Armenian
Studies Program at 278-2669, or visit our website at

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian
Studies and Research (NAASR)
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel.: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]

NAASR CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE TO FEATURE ILLUSTRATED PRESENTATION BY RUTH THOMASIAN

Ruth Thomasian, the Founder and Executive Director of Project SAVE
Armenian Photograph Archives, will be the featured speaker at the 2014
NAASR Christmas Open House on Thursday, December 4, 2014. The Open
House will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Thomasian’s talk set for 7:30 p.m.
The evening’s events will take place at the NAASR Center, 395 Concord
Ave., Belmont, MA.

Thomasian’s presentation will highlight photographs from Project
SAVE’s 2015 calendar entitled “Armenians Remember Those Who Came
Before,” as well as other related images from the archive’s vast
holdings.

“Armenians Remember Those Who Came Before” honors those who lived in
Ottoman Armenian communities before 1915: Yozgat, Tokat, Aintab,
Dikranagerd, Amasia, Svegin, Kharpert, Ordu, Choroum, Agn, Van,
Sepastia, Chemeshgazek, Talas, and Brusa. Photos and captions capture
the spirit and details of Armenian life.

Both before and after the lecture, NAASR’s bookstore will be open and
feature a one night only 20%-off sale. Numerous recently published
titles will be available. Refreshments will be served. The 2015
Project SAVE calendar will be available the night of the open house.

to saving the photographic heritage of the Armenian community as
Founder and Executive Director of Project SAVE Armenian Photograph
Archives, Inc. During the 1970s, while pursuing a career in New York
City as a theatrical costume designer, she became aware of the extreme
scarcity of visual material needed to research costumes for Armenian
plays set in the historic homeland.

Out of this practical need for visuals, Ruth soon discovered that
photographs and their stories are a valuable source of cultural
heritage and social history. Now located in Watertown, Massachusetts,
Project SAVE Archives has 50,000+ well-documented images collected
mainly by visiting with people and talking with them about their
photographs. A wide range of topics address life in the Ottoman,
Persian, and Russian empires, as well as the United States and
elsewhere in Diaspora, from 1860 to the present 21st century.

Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated). The NAASR
Center is located opposite the First Armenian Church and next to the
U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is available around the building and
in adjacent areas. More information about the open house and program
is available by calling 617-489-1610, faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing
[email protected], or writing to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA
02478.

# # # # #
Belmont, MA
November 7, 2014

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Nov 9 2014

Interior Ministry profiled police officer candidates, their families

November 09, 2014, Sunday/ 18:40:08/ SELMA TATLI/ BAYRAM KAYA/ / ISTANBUL

Turkey’s Interior Ministry profiled not just police officer
candidates, but also their family members, according to their
ideological, social and religious affiliations, according to documents
obtained by Today’s Zaman.

The Security General Directorate’s (EGM) intelligence department
apparently profiled thousands of university graduates who aspired to
become police officers, leading to the unjust elimination of some of
the candidates.

The documents also show that most of the newly-recruited police
officers were employed thanks to references from Justice and
Development Party (AK Party) deputies or bureaucrats at the Interior
Ministry.

The documents show that the profiling conducted by the ministry
extended beyond police officer candidates to members of their
families, in a move that clearly violates their right to privacy.

For instance, about police officer candidate S.Y., it is said in the
document: `[His/her] grandfather faced legal action for aiding and
abetting the PKK [the Kurdistan Workers’ Party] in 1998. [His/her]
aunt’s husband also faced legal action over charges of involvement in
PKK activities. [His/her] aunt joined the celebrations marking the
birthday of the PKK leader in 2011.’

For candidate F.O., the document says: `There is information that
[his/her] uncle was an executive board member of the Battalgazi
Education and Culture Foundation in 1999, affiliated with [Islamic
scholar] Fethullah Gülen.’

About police officer candidate D.D., the document says that there are
four hotel registrations showing that she stayed with two different
men between the years of 2013 and 2014, adding that both D.D. and the
men she stayed with were unmarried. It also says in the document that
D.D.’s uncles have connections to the Nur religious community and the
Med-Zehra religious community.

Regarding candidate Y.Y., the document says that he is affiliated with
the Ã`lkücü (Idealist) group and that there are hotel registrations
showing that he stayed with a woman two times at a hotel in 2014 and
that both of them are single.

For another candidate, M.M, it notes that his/her brother went to the
private Rahime Batu High School and for Ä°.H., it says that his/her
uncle faced legal action in 2000 over charges of being a member of a
terrorist organization.

Profiling became a constitutional crime with the Sept. 12, 2010
referendum and the documents indicate that the Interior Ministry
violated the Constitution with these illegal practices.

In September it was also revealed in documents acquired by Today’s
Zaman that the Ministry of Family and Social Policy also apparently
added another level to the illegal profiling practices of the Turkish
state by giving people within the ministry a special code designation
in their records if they were thought to be affiliated with the
faith-based Hizmet movement.

Reminiscent of the single-party era, when non-Muslim citizens of
Turkey were classified with the codes 1, 2 and 3 for being Greek,
Armenian or Jewish, respectively, the AK Party designated the use of
“111” to classify people who are allegedly close to the Hizmet
movement, which is inspired by the teachings of the Islamic scholar
Gülen.

A team within the Ministry of Family and Social Policy led by the
undersecretary has reportedly profiled all personnel within the
ministry and created documents detailing their political, social and
religious affiliations.

During the Feb. 28, 1997 postmodern coup, a body established by the
military, the West Study Group (BÇG) also carried out illegal
activities that included profiling.

6,725 trees planted in Tsitsernakaberd park

15:19 08/11/2014 >> SOCIETY

6,725 trees were planted in a 10-hectare area in the park of
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex on Saturday.

Armenian Minister of Nature Protection Aramais Grigoryan participated
in the event, the press service of the Ministry of Nature Protection
said.

“Today we are doing an important work,” said the Minister.

“I hope that with proper care, there will be green areas here on April
24,” he added.

Source: Panorama.am

Best must be appointed to government posts – Harutyun Mesrobyan

14:02 * 09.11.14

In an interview with Tert.am, management expert Harutyun Mesrobyan
expressed the confidence that the cabinet reshuffle will not produce
any results because the gravest problems remain unsolved.

The higher is the post the lower is the probability of a worthy
candidate being appointed, Mr Mesrobyan says.

“Any competent merger is a good idea. However, when the entire
government system misarranged no reforms can produce any results. We
have a high number of ministries and their personnel, and
deteriorating management in Armenia. Since 1991, negative selection
has marked our state government system (that is, not the best
candidates have been appointed to government posts Рed.). ̫he higher
is the post the lower is the probability of a worthy candidate being
appointed.

“Merging the Ministry of Emergency Situations with the Ministry of
Territorial Administration is wrong. The former deals with emergency
situations and its structures are organized following entirely
different principles than other ministries’ structures. The two
ministries’ are different in terms of their style of work and essence.
It [the Ministry of Emergency Situations] is more like a paramilitary
structure.

“By way of illustration, our government system is like an overturned
car. Even if they remove one of the wheels and add one more engine to
it, it is not going to move. If we cannot select the best candidates
for government posts, the rest has no sense. Lee Kuan Yew, godfather
of the Singapore miracle, visited Russia in 2007. Different people
were introduced to him as ‘one of the best financiers in Russia.’ When
he inquired about their employment, they said they worked for
different companies. And Mr Lee Kuan Yew asked ‘why is this one
working for a private company, but not for the government if he is one
of the best?’

“Positive selection has to do with standards and the set of values a
person has to meet to be appointed to a government post. The best must
be appointed and corrupt ones must be convicted. The entire government
system must be reformed.

“One more problem is lacking demand in Armenia. If we do not demand,
patriots and highly qualified professionals will not be appointed.
Yes, we have professionals, but they have never been sought after. An
oligarchic government system has always been the most uncompetitive
throughout the world, and the situation will not improve if this
problem remains unresolved. The oligarchic government system
disregards professionals and creates monopolies, choosing the easiest
way. What is the reason for imports exceeding exports in Armenia? It
is because it is much easier to import and sell at a high price than
to produce. What production can be in question if an oligarch can
import and earn much money? Why run the risk of investing in
production?

“So as long as the aforementioned major problems remain unresolved, no
good intensions will produce any results.”

Armenian News – Tert.am

ARMENIE
L’Arménie a besoin de changements structurels dans la perspective de
l’entrée dans l’UEE selon le FM

La faible croissance de l’économie arménienne et le niveau de
l’inflation plus faible que prévu sont conditionnés par la politique
monétaire et budgétaire nationale, le fonctionnement du gouvernement
et ainsi que par la diminution de l’activité économique dans les
principaux pays partenaires a déclaré Teresa Daban Sanchez la
représentante du Fonds monétaire international (FMI ) aux
journalistes.

Selon la représentante du FMI, les responsables arméniens ne mettent
pas les moyens budgétaires qui sont nécessaires pour rendre l’économie
du pays plus active, dans le même temps, les résidents doivent
dépenser beaucoup d’argent, parce que leurs moyens monétaires se sont
réduits – en raison de moins de transferts d’argent en Arménie et que
tout ce qu’ils ont est conservée dans l’attente d’un avenir indéfini.

RECEPTION FOR ‘THE HAIRENIKS’ CAPTURES THE SPIRIT

By Tom Vartabedian on November 7, 2014

In an era where electronics are threatening printed media, the
Haireniks appear to be weathering the changing times.

Had you attended the reception on Oct. 26, you would have received a
vote of confidence in the two publications at 80 Bigelow in Watertown.

The Armenian Weekly–formerly Hairenik Weekly–hit the octogenarian
mark, while its sister publication Hairenik Weekly is celebrating
115 years of resiliency.

Richard Hovannisian applauds ‘the Haireniks’ during an anniversary
reception Oct. 26 hosted by Avo and Carmen Barmakian of Waltham,
attended by some 180 guests. (Tom Vartabedian photo)

Both have been friendly companions in our midst for nearly two
centuries combined and deserve their rightful place in Armenian
journalism.

Some 180 guests showed up to offer their congratulations and support
in what was an embraceable evening marked by nostalgia and fundraising.

The celebration was hosted by Avo and Carmen Barmakian, who left no
stone unturned in this extravaganza. One look at the food selection
and hospitality was enough to set the standard for a committee of 15
chaired by Angele Manoogian.

You may have read about Ungerouhi Angele and that medal she received
by the Republic of Artskah a month ago. Here she was, back in the flow,
organizing this event without the least bit of fanfare.

Guests arrived from all avenues of the community, near and far, like
some reunion for the ages with the Haireniks in their heart. Editors.

Correspondents. Long-time subscribers. Benefactors, certainly. A
support system that could have been instrumental in keeping the
Titanic afloat.

For openers, Professor Richard Hovannisian, an icon in himself,
reflected on his moments with the two organs, including those halcyon
years at 212 Stuart Street in Boston. Had William Saroyan been in
the crowd, no doubt they would have locked in embrace.

Both papers were given citations from the office of Middlesex County
Sheriff Peter Koutoujian.

Nice to see two veteran writers recognized. Dr. Michael Mensoian and
Dr. Henry Astarjian were both applauded for their years of loyalty to
the publications, sometimes controversial in nature but nonetheless
relevant in their messages.

Seldom do you find in any newspaper such a proofreader par excellence
than Garbis Zerdelian, who could spot a typo inside a haystack.

Hairenik Weekly Editor Zaven Torigian expressed his gratitude for
that man who’s volunteered his time and his eyes to make the products
clean and acceptable.

One has to only look at the lineage of editors here to see the loyalty
and devotion that has manifested itself over the years, right to the
present time with Nanore Barsoumian (AW) and Zaven Torigian (HW),
ready to establish a new legacy of continuity.

Talk to any committee member and the comments flow with exuberance.

“The number of attendees was a testament to the diligence and devotion
of the committee,” they say.

The Hairenik publications have informed, inspired, motivated, and
educated five generations of Armenians, not only here in the United
States but all over the world.

>From the struggles to the fedayees in the yergir to the war in Syria
today, the Haireniks have chronicled our contemporary history.

They have found room for prose and poetry from Siamanto to Saroyan
to the AYF Juniors, while its books and periodicals have given us
masterpieces in Armenian literature and thoughtful analyses.

An evening such as this restores our integrity in the two mediums. It
tells us that people still care about the printed products and are
willing to lend their support. It tells us that despite a Sunday
night, tight schedules, financial burdens, and sometimes nonchalance
and apathy in our midst, people are still willing to patronize our
papers and give them added sustenance.

Among those who have been impacted by the Armenian Weekly is community
activist Heather (Apigian) Krafian, whose relationship goes back to
childhood days. Back then she was reporting on chapter news, which
ultimately led to more intensified roles as an Armenian American.

Several times she was asked to write a story or two for the Olympics
issue.

“I remember how badly I wanted my article to appear on the Junior AYF
Page and followed stories written by my friends from other chapters,”
she recalls. “This ambition led to my interest in starting an AYF
Junior newspaper in Detroit for our own members. The Armenian Weekly
facilitated this small journalistic hobby I had acquired.”

Today, that relationship with the Armenian Weekly remains just as
tight with four daughters in tow and a husband (Ara) who has kept
his spirit intact, particularly on the AYF Olympics end both as an
athlete and Governing Body member.

“My strong connection with the Armenian Weekly has grown along with
my family,” she says. “It has remained a staple of my life.”

If you wish to contribute, and haven’t had an opportunity, kindly make
a check payable to the ACAA and mail it off to Hairenik Publications,
80 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, MA 02472.

And you, too, will be part of this venerable history.

REJECT ANY SUPPORT FOR MINING IN AMOULSAR

Nov 7, 2014

Operation of Amoulsar Gold Mine is Yet Another Disaster to Armenia

Call Upon All Armenians To Reject Any Support For Mining in Amoulsar
(Jermuk)

Yerevan,

October 6, 2014

Amoulsar is one of the peaks of the Armenian highlands, a mountain
3000m above the sea level, located between Vayots Dzor and Syunik
regions of Armenia and only 10 km away from one of the gems of Armenia,
hydrological wonder Jermuk.

When gold exploration started in Amoulsar in 2006, the Armenian public
could not imagine what kind of risks the mining project could possibly
pose to the regions of Vayots Dzor, Syunik, and Gegharkunik, as well
as Armenia on the whole. These risks have already been identified
and have been continuously voiced by the civil society and local
communities for over 3 years. Since 2011, 3 scientific conferences,
5 official public hearings, as well as many press conferences have
been organized on mining of Amoulsar during which many geologists,
hydrologists, economics, botanists, zoologists, doctors and other
specialists expressed their disapproval and fear of uncontrollable
risks. Many articles and publications were written, despite the narrow
space in the Armenian media given to this issue. While media coverage
of these events was limited, the PR strategies of Lydian International
and its subsidiary in Armenia, Geoteam CSJC succeeded in silencing
criticism of the mining project in the mainstream media in Armenia.

Despite the claims of Lydian’s executives that they are going to
engage in “responsible mining”, their statements cannot be grounded by
any fact of past performance as this is a new company with no track
record of mining operation. “Responsible mining” is also incongruent
with this particular project, as open-pit mining with such high risks
for the environment, economy and livelihood of local communities can
in no way be considered “responsible.”

We are aware that the company is conducting intensive PR in the
Armenian Diaspora convincing Armenians around the world to buy shares
of their company and finance this disastrous mining project.

Armenians all around the world can only serve their homeland by calling
for a moratorium of any new mining project in Armenia, including the
ones in Amulsar, Teghut, Meghri, Hrazdan and other areas, and adoption
of strict environmental and taxation regulations to contain the harm
threatening our homeland and future generations.

Armenians all around the world should exert efforts in pushing for
Amoulsar be included in Jermuk National Park, a protected area that
will be created soon, but overpasses the mountain for obvious reasons.

While the international quest for the natural resources of Armenia
continues and is tilted towards Russia, we in Armenia need support to
withstand all sorts of international pressure and extractive slavery.

Two large international financial institutions, the International
Financial Corporation of the WB Group and the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development are discussing financing this project
alongside holding some of the shares of Lydian International. These
institutions have already received 2 complaints from Armenia, one from
9 organizations and another one from 200 members of Gndevaz community
with a request to revoke financial support for this project, as it does
not meet international standards promulgated by their own institutions.

For all those who will have to hear the nicely-packaged PR of Lydian
International, here are some guidelines to the risks of gold mining
in Amoulsar.

Amoulsar mountain and its surrounding area are of strategic
hydrological importance for Armenia and are included in the water
basin of Lake Sevan. Arpa and Vorotan rivers originate from this
mountain and strip mining will not only disrupt formation of streams
falling into these rivers, but will inevitably result in pollution
of these streams and subsequently of these river basins with heavy
metals already on surface (more than 1000 ha of land will change their
landscape) . The fact that strip mining of Amoulsar is a threat to
Lake Sevan was recognized by the Special Governmental Committee on
Lake Sevan in 2012. Any activity with a possible negative impact on
the ecosystem of Lake Sevan is prohibited by the Law on Lake Sevan.

The open pit mining will also affect Darb river, which waters many
vineyards and agricultural lands and feeds fish-farms down the stream.

Please be aware that this is not yet processing of ore and the cyanide
leach-pad which is yet another risk to the environment.

No assessment is made on how the intensive explosions will affect
the rock formations of Jermuk and its underground water resources
(hot springs), located from 2km to 10 km away from the mine. It is
also not assessed how the explosions will affect the highly vulnerable
Vorotan-Arpa tunnel built specifically to save Lake Sevan. Jermuk hot
springs have made Jermuk an international hot spring resort and not
only will its reputation as a clean environment conducive to health
recovery be at stake, but also the entire industries of agriculture,
fish-farming, mineral water bottling and tourism.

Amoulsar is in a high radiation zone, the ore samples show that
concentration of radon exceeds 400 Bq/m3. Geological scientific data
also show that Amoulsar mine is also rich in uranium. The company
has presented no plan of managing this situation. The gold mine is
also located only several km away from a large uranium mine. It is
not assessed how the explosions will affect the highly dangerous
uranium deposits. It is also not assessed at which depth does the
uranium concentration increase. Overall, seismic assessments are not
conducted for this mining project whereas the area is located in a
10-point Richter scale zone.

The impact of dust rich in heavy metals is not assessed at all. The
measurement of wind direction is also falsified and is only measured in
a wind station located in a gorge where there are only 2 directions,
while in Amoulsar there are at least 4 directions for the wind. It is
not assessed what impact the 700 tons of dust rich in heavy metals
and generated on a yearly basis for 10 years will have on people’s
health, pastures, agricultural lands and biodiversity.

Overall, no health impacts are assessed.

Mining in Amoulsar will eventually be illegal as it is banned to mine
in any area where there are Red-listed species of fauna or flora, as
well as cultural and historical assets. It is a proven fact that this
area has rich biodiversity with red-listed species, including 1 plant,
18 species of birds (this is by the way an International Bird Area),
reptiles and butterflies and 4 mammals. These facts have been proven by
WWF Armenia and are confirmed by the environmental impact assessment
of the company itself. The area is also rich with archaeological
assets dating as back as the 3rdmillennium B.C. and they will be
irreparably damaged as a result of explosions. No transfer of such
cultural monuments has ever happened in Armenian mines.

Gold concentration in the ore is officially only 0.8g per 1 ton,
wherein larger amounts of lead, cadmium, arsenic and other toxic metals
are going to be dumped in the air through dust and accumulated in a
tailing dump or so-called “leach-pad”. It is planned that more than
122mln tons of solid waste and more than 342mln tons of liquid waste
rich in cyanide will be deposited in one of the richest agricultural
and touristic areas of Armenia. Their possible negative impact is
not assessed and presented to the public. It is planned that during
the 10 years of mining operation, more than 20,000 tons of highly
toxic cyanide and 10,000 tons of hydrochloride acid is going to be
transported and used for processing ore. And this is all for allegedly
60 tons of gold.

The costs and benefits of mining Amoulsar are not assessed at all,
it is not assessed how much Armenia will lose economically from loss
of agricultural lands, touristic industry and ecosystem services. In
fact, mining is only a “heaven” for companies which pay miserably
low taxes for profit, do not pay anything for the millions of tons of
mining waste, do not pay environmental fees etc. Taxation of mining
in Armenia is one of the lowest in the world, and environmental
regulation and inspection, one of the worst.

The local communities will be under a strong social challenge by
losing their traditional means of livelihood; agriculture, tourism,
fish-breeding, they will engage in mining for only 10 years and
after 10 years they will never be able to return to their previous
livelihood: their lands will have been seized and under mining
infrastructure, their environment will be polluted and no longer good
for agriculture and tourism, the women of the communities will be left
jobless while the men will only work in the mines for 10 years. The
community of Gndevaz is under the threat of resettlement, however
neither the company, nor the government speak of this. This village
will only be less than 2 km away from the gold processing plant and
all heavy trucks will daily transport the rocks through the village,
which inevitably will make the village uninhabitable.

Aside from these facts, all potential investors should bear in mind
that we, as civil society aspiring for democracy, rule of law and
the right of our population to live in a healthy and prosperous
environment, will do our best to deter operation of this and other
mines by removal of potentially corruption-backed systems and regimes.

Therefore, we call upon Armenians and non-Armenians around the world
to use common sense and demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility
towards the population living in Armenia and reject supporting mining
operations in Armenia, particularly gold mining of Amoulsar.

Save Teghut Civic Initiative

Inga Zarafyan, President of EcoLur NGO

Vazgen Galstyan, President of “Jermuk Development Center” NGO

Tehmine Yenoqyan, journalist, resident of Gndevaz community

Levon Galstyan, member of Pan-Armenian Environmental Front civic
initiative

Download the letter here.