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Appeal to presidential candidates running in election 2008

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  • Appeal to presidential candidates running in election 2008

    Lragir, Armenia
    Jan 16 2008


    APPEAL TO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES RUNNING IN ELECTION 2008

    The environmental coalition of Armenia and other NGOs express deep
    concern about rapid and extensive use of natural resources and, in
    particular, the construction of an ore processing factory in Teghut
    and logging of the Teghut forest for copper-molybdenum mining.

    The authors state that the exploitation of the mine in Teghut will
    violate the Armenian legislation, a number of international
    conventions signed by the Republic of Armenia, and pose a major
    threat to the environment.


    `To sum up the above listed facts, we conclude that there should be a
    thorough multi-disciplinary and independent expert assessment with
    engagement of all interested parties and a following public
    presentation of estimations that meet international standards,' the
    statement holds.

    `We suggest that the RA Government reconsider the state policy on
    mining and not only suspend the exploitation of the mine of Teghut,
    but also possibly reduce the volumes of extraction of ore at the
    copper and molybdenum mine of Kajaran and speed up the application of
    modern technology for an intensive processing of copper and
    molybdenum and production of other goods, which will foster real
    economic development, competitiveness, increase exports, promote use
    of modern technology, shape a new management culture, boost
    investments and so forth,' runs the statements, the authors of which
    say if these conditions are provided, Armenia will start exporting
    final products along with raw materials,' runs the statement of the
    NGOs.


    The Armenian NGOs urge `to take urgent measures for suspension of the
    activities that have been already launched on the territory of the
    copper-molybdenum mine in Teghut; undertake an independent assessment
    with the purpose of obtaining an unbiased estimation of economic
    gains for the country and of environmental damage; revise the
    expediency of declaring the mining industry as a strategic priority
    for Armenia's economic development and hold broad expert and public
    hearings around this issue.'


    `We count on your understanding of the importance of the presented
    problem. We urge you to spell out your standpoint regarding this
    issue in your election campaign.


    We also ask that you share your opinion on this issue with Silva
    Adamyan, Coordinator of the Environmental Public Alliance. You can
    visit the Zoological Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of
    Armenia at 7 Paruyr Sevak Street, call (10) 281502 or (94) 874070 or
    email to [email protected]),' runs the statement which
    has been signed by 40 NGOs.
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