Residents of Jermuk insist that the road leading to Amulsar will remain closed until the issue is finally resolved. “We respect and accept the prime minister, we share the ideology of the revolution, but in this matter it is simply not possible to implement what he said,” Jermuk resident, environmentalist Shirak Buniatyan said in a conversation with the Aysor.am reporter.
– Mr. Buniatyan, Nikol Pashinyan stated in the USA that “at this moment the fact is that the RA government does not have any grounds to ban the operation of the Amulsar mine“. About 20 days have passed since the Prime Minister’s call to unblock the roads leading to the Amulsar mine. Has his request been fulfilled?
– As residents of the city of Jermuk, who have seen what is happening to the resort zone in Jermuk during construction in Amulsar, we will not allow the operation of the mine under any circumstances.
Let’s not forget that during that announcement, the Prime Minister also said that there may be a weighty legal reason for not exploiting the mine. We are confident that the prime minister will come to the conclusion that the mine in Amulsar cannot be exploited directly in search of the truth.
– In which case will the defenders of Amulsar block the road leading to the mine?
– Today, the majority of the population of the entire community is standing there, who, even if they do not stand “post”, are still of the position that there should be no mining in Amulsar. People respect the Prime Minister very much, but they consider Amulsar as their motherland and the road will not be opened until the final decision of the issue. After the announcement made by the Prime Minister about 20 days ago, we held a public open discussion among the population of the community, the majority is of the position that we respect and accept the Prime Minister, we share the ideology of the revolution, but in this matter it is simply not possible to implement what he said. The roads will remain closed until the issue is finally resolved.
– There were publications in the press that the prime minister has set a task to open the road leading to the mine even with the use of force, which, according to various publications, has caused the RA police chief to resign. Do you think there is a possibility that force will be used and if so, what would your steps be?
– I don’t think that there should be a return to the old ways, the issues should be solved in the old style by force, because I believe in the revolution. But I don’t rule out anything at all. In short, we have considered all options and are ready for all options. When we entered this fight, we took everything into account.
– What do you mean by saying we are ready for all options?
– For example, when Serzh Sargsyan tried to silence and prevent a revolution with the pressure of the police force, people were able to achieve the revolution through peaceful actions. In this case, we are not going to use force against force. We are going to act as a direct barrier with peaceful actions, our families, our children, in order to ban entry to Amulsar. I don’t think that in this case, the police force will crush us and our children and open the roads leading to the mine.
– Is a new protest action planned in the near future?
– Everything happens spontaneously in the community. It can be said that we do not plan anything in advance, mostly it is connected with some announcement made by the government, to which we respond in the form of some kind of action. There is nothing planned at this time. I rule out mining in Amulsar with the option of using force, because we all realize that it is not a one-day job. If the given organization is going to operate a mine for years, and if at some point they manage to open a road with the use of force, after a few days, the population will come down and block the road anyway. It will be a hopeless option.
Time.news Interview: The Amulsar Dilemma – A Conversation with Environmental Advocate Shirak Buniatyan
Editor: Good day, Mr. Buniatyan! It’s a privilege to talk to you today about the ongoing situation surrounding the Amulsar mine. To start off, how would you assess the recent statements made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, particularly his call to open the roads leading to the mine?
Shirak Buniatyan: Thank you for having me. The Prime Minister’s statements are quite concerning. While we respect his leadership and ideology, the situation regarding the Amulsar mine is complex and deeply rooted in environmental and community concerns. As a resident of Jermuk, I can assure you that we will not allow the mine’s operation under any circumstances.
Editor: It’s clear that the sentiments among Jermuk residents are strong. Interestingly, the Prime Minister noted that there are no legal grounds currently for banning the operation of the mine. Has this viewpoint led to any change in the community’s stance?
Buniatyan: Not at all. In fact, if anything, it has galvanized our resolve. The community perceives Amulsar not just as a mining site, but as a vital part of our identity. After his remarks, we held a public discussion, and the overwhelming sentiment was that our stance remains unchanged: we will not permit mining activities to take place in Amulsar. The roads will remain closed until a definitive resolution is reached.
Editor: There have been reports suggesting that the Prime Minister might employ force to reopen the roads, which led to significant ramifications, including the resignation of the police chief. How does this potential for conflict resonate within the community?
Buniatyan: The idea of using force is troubling. We have seen what aggressive measures can do, not just on the ground but also to the fabric of our society. The community values dialogue and peaceful protest, and we believe that the issues surrounding Amulsar should be addressed through constructive discussions rather than confrontations. A return to old methods of handling dissent is not the answer.
Editor: Given the escalating tensions, what measures do you think the community might take if the government insists on proceeding with its plans?
Buniatyan: Our goal is to remain peaceful but steadfast. If push comes to shove, the community is prepared to continue standing together, unified in our belief that Amulsar’s ecosystems and the well-being of our people must come first. We’re not just defending a piece of land; we’re advocating for our health and the future of our environment.
Editor: Mr. Buniatyan, what do you think would be the ideal outcome from this situation?
Buniatyan: The ideal outcome is twofold: one is a clear conclusion from the government acknowledging the environmental impacts and understanding our concerns. The second is a collaborative approach where the community and the government can engage in meaningful dialogue that respects both our rights and the need for responsible development. The truth about Amulsar must be sought, for the sake of all involved.
Editor: Thank you, Mr. Buniatyan, for sharing your insights and the perspective of Jermuk residents. Your commitment to environmental activism and community well-being is inspiring, and we hope the dialogue continues toward a resolution that respects the wishes of the people.
Buniatyan: Thank you for providing a platform to discuss this crucial issue. It’s important for us to keep dialogue open and pursue solutions that reflect our shared concerns.