Governmental Corruption Endangers The Fast Growing Tree Project In Arm

[MosJan]

GOVERNMENTAL CORRUPTION ENDANGERS THE FAST GROWING TREE PROJECT IN ARMENIA

 

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It has been now 15 years that Armenia is free and the Diaspora has been actively supporting Armenia by sending money and initiating projects to strengthen its independence and improve the economic situation. It is unacceptable to see that some corrupt government officials are taking advantage of the generosity and nationalistic support for homeland of the Diaspora to fill their own pockets. This write up provides background information regarding the Fast Growing Tree Project in Armenia, its accomplishments, and the governmental corruption issues that put some parts of the large plantations that were developed as part of this project, in jeopardy of destruction.

 

 

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BACKGROUND

 

Armenia is a mountainous country with approximately 8% forests in its total territory. Up to the early 1990s forests in the country were properly maintained and resources were utilized according to environmental requirements. However, economic and energy blockade, which resulted from political crisis with neighboring countries, brought the country to an energy crisis. This crisis was the main reason for massive deforestation of Armenia. About one million cubic meter of wood was cut, which caused a terribly harmful damage to the forests of the country.

 

In 1994, the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) of Glendale, California and Institute of Botany of the Armenian Academy of Sciences embarked on a project to introduce fast growing hybrid poplar trees in Armenia, which can be used as fire wood or as soft wood lumber. These trees then can be cut to satisfy the need for wood instead of cutting old trees from established forests. A few years later, the Armenian Forest Service (Hay Andar) also joined the project team.

 

Approximately 130,000 US and Canadian hybrid poplar cuttings from 59 different hybrid poplar clones have been imported into Armenia and planted in different sites in Armenia since 1994. The two major plantations are in Armavier (Ararat Valley). Approximately 17,000 cuttings of selected six clones were planted on 24 hectares during spring of 1998 and approximately 23,000 cuttings of selected five clones were planted on 28 hectares in the spring of 1999. These trees are planted using 10-inch long cuttings and they grow to be 6-foot tall in about seven months. Trees that were planted in 1994 and 1995 in Armenia are now 45 to 55-foot high after 11 years. Typically these trees become mature in 10 to 12 years.

 

The main part of these mature tree trunks could be used for producing lumber. Branches and leftovers of the trunk can be used as a biomass source or in production of particleboard. Wood produced from the fast growing hybrid poplars could be used by the furniture manufacturers in Armenia, who normally import almost all the wood needed. The poplar wood can also be used in the construction industry. Agro-forestry is a viable option for Armenia because Armenia has very limited soil suitable for the agricultural use. Trees that are planted for production on plantations are planted widely enough to allow intercropping of traditional crops such as cabbages, tomatoes, melons, alfalfa, etc. between the trees.

 

FINANCING

 

This project is financed by the AESA, and locally managed by the Institute of Botany of the Armenian Academy of Sciences. AESA has funded the planting and the maintenance expenses for all the test plantations, as well as the purchase of a tractor, a mower, and two submerged irrigation pumps. The Lincy Foundation has been one of the major contributors to this project. In addition, ACDI/VOCA has financed 15 travel expenses to Armenia by the U.S. specialists. CRDF has also given a grant for analyzing the heat content of the different hybrid poplar clones. USDA office in Lancing, Michigan, has provided technical support for this project and several thousand cuttings. University of Washington and Washington State University have also provided staff that has traveled to Armenia to provide assistance for this project. Oakridge National Laboratories has supported this project by sending one of their experts to Armenia toevaluate biomass potential in Armenia.

 

IMPROVING SOIL SALINITY

 

Another objective of the Fast Growing Tree Project is to determine the feasibility of large scale, short rotation plantations in parts of the Ararat Valley which have saline soil. Several types of poplar trees have shown encouraging growth rates in the saline soil, which presently is not used for agricultural purposes. These salt tolerant hybrid poplar plantations in conjunction with special halophytes could lower salinity after several years by lowering the underground water table. Besides hybrid poplars, various salt tolerant plants (halophytes) have also been introduced to Armenia as part of this project. It is estimated that more than 30,000 hectares of land in the Ararat Valley could be used for commercial crops if salinity of soil were reduced.

 

THE PROBLEM

 

Parts of the plantations in Armavier that were developed with a large investment from the US private and governmental sources are now in jeopardy due to the corruption in high levels of the Armenian government. Land where these plantations are established belonged to Armenian Forest Service (Hay Andar). In December of 2004 Armenian Forest Service dissolved their organization in Armavier region because there were no forests at that region. They had land that was leased to the farmers, a small apricot plantation, and 52 hectares where the fast growing hybrid poplars were planted. When the government decided to dissolve the Armavier region of Forest Service, all the land excluding the 52 hectares were given to the governor’s office for distribution. Government’s decree 128 dated December 8, 2004 clearly indicates that the ownership of 52 hectares where the fast growing trees are planted plus 3000 square meters of land where the water well is should be given to the Armenian Institute of Botany to continue the experiment of the fast growing hybrid poplars.

 

In early 2005, the governor of Armavier region appealed this decision and claimed that this land should also be divided and sold to the local farmers. Attempts were made to meet with the governor but he was not willing to meet with the plantation project team members. AESA, Armenian Forest Service, Ministry of Agricultural, Ministry of the Environmental Protection, and National Academy of Sciences protested against the governor’s request about destroying the plantation and selling the land. They had written letters to the Prime Minister requesting that the governor’s appeal to be denied and land ownership to be given to the Institute of Botany. After consideration of all the facts, the Armenian Government denied the governor’s request and confirmed its previous decision of transferring the land to the Institute of Botany. After government’s confirmation of the land ownership, governor’s office and the county recorder started to put different types of hurdles about transferring the ownership of the land to the Institute of Botany. First they were claiming that boundaries were not clear and a new survey was needed. The Institute of Botany hired land surveyors to draw the requested map. Then, there were some requests of payment of $300 for expediting the transfer of ownership that was denied by the Institute of Botany. Finally it became apparent that all of these were smoke screens to sell big chunks of land released by the Forest Service to some governmental officials.

 

Approximately 80 hectares of land has been sold to the minister of finance at a ridiculously low price. However, the land deed was issued under his mother-in-law’s name. A few months later, the land was sold to a friend of the minister who lives in the City of Echmiatzin, for $40,000. This means that the sale price of one hectare was approximately $500 when the market price of this land is $1,500 per hectare. Most probably he will turn around and sell the land in open market and make a large profit. So much for the governor’s claim that the land should not be given to the Institute of Botany but to the farmers who need the land for their livelihood.

 

Approximately 9 hectares bearing the best trees in the fast growing tree plantation and the nursery where Institute of Botany had planted all 59 types of hybrid poplars for the future reproduction were part of these 80 hectares that was sold to the Minister of Finance. When the issue of this sale, which is in direct contradiction with the government’s decision, was presented to the governor’s office, their response was that “This is a fact now and if you do not like it, then you can start legal proceedings against this issue”. Another 3 hectares of the plantation with large nice trees were sold (or should be said “given away”) to the mayor of the City of Armavier as part of another large parcel. These 3 hectares are also part of the 52 hectares that should have been given to Institute of Botany. Figure 1 shows a typical tree in September 2006. This picture makes it obvious why people want this land. They can cut these large trees and sell them by ignoring all the efforts that have been made for this experimental project.

 

Destruction of the nursery where all 59 imported clones of the hybrid fast growing trees are planted will especially be a major loss. This nursery should be used to supply needs for establishing fast growing tree plantations at different parts of Armenia. Cutting for these 59 types were sent to Armenia via airlift from the US and Canada with major difficulties and expenses. This is a clear indication of the level of corruption at the high levels of the Armenian government where some officials take the ownership of the land virtually for free, and then turn around and sell it to their friends for a large profit, but still under the market price. Then the farmers have to buy the land at the market price. This happens despite the clear government decision that part of the land should be given to the Institute of Botany to continue the experimental fast growing tree project and the remainder should be transferred to the farmers.

 

However, some government officials see an opportunity to make large sums of money and help their friends make money at the expense of the farmers. At the beginning of the fast growing tree project, it was decided to lease 5 hectares of the land to a farmer for planting cabbage and alfalfa within tree rows. The idea was to evaluate viability and profitability of the concept of agro-forestry. Because these trees were under private care, they are considered to be best-maintained trees. Unfortunately these 5 hectares have been divided between the land parcels that are given to the minister of finance and the mayor of City of Armavier. According to the information received, they are planning to cut and sell these trees. The farmer who was leasing the land claims that, he has the first right to purchase this land if it is sold, but that he was fine if the land was given to the Institute of Botany. He filed a claim first with the local court and then with the appeals court, but both times the court decisions were against him even though he was defending his right under the law. According to reliable sources, the judges of both courts were bribed.

 

This clear violation of the government’s formal decision, and the evidence for obvious corruption, was reported by letters to the office of the speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Tigran Torossyan; Land Governing Minister, Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan; and Foreign Minister, Mr. Vardan Oskanyan. The US Embassy and the Millennium Challenge Corporation representatives in Yerevan were also notified about this situation. Since protection of the trees are under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Environmental Protection, they were also notified and warned about the plans to cut trees on the land that is illegally occupied by some government officials. It should also be mentioned that the governor’s office has offered to give the Institute of

 

Botany some land nearby, instead of the illegally taken parts of the plantations. However, the land that was offered is useless without any trees. Their claim was “If you want 52 hectares of land, we will give you land but from useless areas”. This is another example of the level of arrogance in governmental agencies and their attempt to cover-up their illegal acts.

 

SUMMARY

 

The situation facing the Fast Growing Tree project could be applicable to any other major project initiated and supported by the Armenian Diaspora or the US Government. Typically there is not much of help or assistance from governmental agencies at the beginning of any project, but once some government officials see that there is a successful project, they abuse their power to take over such project for their own personal benefit.

 

During the Third Armenia-Diaspora Conference, Armenia’s Foreign Minister was asking Diaspora to spend millions of dollars to renovate 50 villages near the boarders of Armenia. This request begs the question of who will be benefiting from such a large investment – villagers or some government officials. There was a governmental decision to distribute land belonging to the Armavier division of the Armenia’s Forest Service to local farmers. Instead of the farmers; however, the mayor and the minister received big portions of land at the original cheap price and then local farmers had to go to them to purchase the land at the market value. Would this also be the fate of the developments in those 50 villages? The US government is planning to give Armenia $236 million grant under the Millennium Challenge initiative. Basic requirements of this large grant are governmental transparency and the elimination of corruption. Grabbing land by governmental officials near the irrigation canal that will be renovated as part of the Millennium Challenge grant should be of concern to the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The US taxpayers’ money is given to Armenia to help the general population and not some governmental officials.

 

Armenia has enormous potential for advancement, but corruption could seriously hinder such advancement and progress. This is of concern to the Armenian Diaspora, which needs to pull all of its resources to put pressure on the Armenian Government to eliminate corruption by actions, not just by words, and to put the country on the right track toward a prosperous future for ALL the Armenians.

 

We are asking your assistance in resolving this issue. Please call, fax, and send your letters and e-mails to Armenian Government and demand them to save the Fast Growing Tree Project. We suggest that you send your correspondences to the Prime Minister and Armenian Ambassador in your country. Let them know that Armenian Diaspora will not accept such illegal acts by government officials. We did not struggled hundreds of years for a free homeland to witness this types of actions.

 

Mr. Andranik Margaryan

 

Prime Minister

 

Government Building 1

 

Republic Square, Yerevan, Armenia

 

e-mail: frd@gov.am

 

Mr. Tatoul Markarian

 

Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia

 

2225 R Street, N.W.

 

Washington D.C. 20008

 

Tel: (202) 319-1976 , Fax (202) 319-2982

 

e-mail: armpublic@speakeasy.net

[MosJan]

Versatile and Beautiful

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/images/HybridPoplar7_small1.jpg

 

One of the fastest growing and most attractive shade trees you can find. Averages an annual growth of 8 feet, which is 6 to 10 times faster than other trees.

 

Perfect for those looking for quick shade or privacy. One of the most popular ornamental trees available.

 

Your Hybrid Poplar gives you dense foliage, and has an attractive shape.

 

These trees are often planted with new homes to add a quick and easy ornamental tree that raises property value.

 

Hybrid Poplars will add significant shade to your home in only 3 to 5 years.

 

Extremely easy to grow... resisting wind, disease and insects. Tolerates even poor soils. Grows in virtually any growing condition.

 

Due to the tree's height, it can be strategically planted to block your house from direct sunlight, which will lower your air conditioning costs.

 

These Poplars are able to grow in very cold climates and grow best in Growing Zones 3-8.

 

Hybrid Poplars are very popular among commercial growers because of their superior growth rate. Commercial growers can see economic returns faster than they ever thought possible. Grown for pulpwood and lumber products.

[MosJan]

* topsoil erosion prevention

* waste water treatment

* river bank and stream restoration

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* riparian buffer strips

* windbreaks

* view shielding for privacy

* fast shade growth

* snow fences

* fast-growing landscapes

[MosJan]

SOS FOR FAST GROWING POPLARS

 

*

 

The Armavir Regional Administration sold 12 hectares of fields meant for scientific experimental works and belonging to the Botanical Institute. The Union of the American-Armenian Engineers and Scientists alarmed about this, yesterday.

 

Fast growing Americana and Canadian poplars were planted in the 52 hectares of the field. The trees were planted within the framework of scientific experiment, which was directed to getting rich yield of high quality wood in short time period from the fast growing poplars. The project will also help save our forests from annihilation. The project is elaborated and implemented by the Botanical Institute and "Hayantar" organization. Great amount of sources were spent on the implementation of the project and most of the tree clones yielded brilliant results.

 

"A part of the land was purchased by a minister and the second by the mayor of Armavir city… We wonder how they can neglect the work we have done till now and sell the area without having achieved the final results. This will only lead to annihilation of the newly planted trees," the statement of the scientists stretched.

 

The authors of the statement demand from RA Government to annul the illegal sale of the 12 hectares of the land and give the relevant document to the Botanical Institute.

* By Karine Danielian

[areg]

Actions of some high level Armenian government officials is jeopardizing the Fast Growing Tree Project in Armenia. This project which, was started in 1994 by the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) and the Institute of Botany of Armenia have planted 130,000 fast growing trees in various regions of Armenia and have established two plantations in Armavier.

 

Unfortunately one of the ministers in the Armenian government has illegally privatized approximately 9 hectares of the 52 hectares of the plantations under his mother in law’s name and then he has sold it to a friend of his. This action was taken despite the government’s decree that these 52 hectares should be kept as an untouchable research area.

 

After numerous e-mails, faxes, and letters, the Prime Minister of Armenia established a commission to evaluate the situation and resolve this illegal land take over. Based on the findings of this commission, governor of Armavier Marz was discharged and a new governor was appointed. This commission has been telling AESA for the last three months that they are in process of reviewing the situation to find a just solution. However, it seems that they are just wasting time with the hope that protests from Diaspora and Armenia will disappear as time goes by.

 

We are asking for your assistance to let the Prime Minister of Armenia know that you are demanding a just solution for this situation and the land that was illegally taken by the government officials shall be returned to AESA and the Institute of Botany.

 

The attached is an English and an Armenian text of a sample letter that you may want to send to the Prime Minister or you can write your own personalized letter objecting this illegal act. The Prime Minister’s e-mail address is: frd@gov.am.

 

You can visit AESA’s web site for additional information www.aesa.org.

English_Letter.doc

Armenian_letter.doc

[MosJan]

AESA - TV program on Fast Growing Tree Project in ROA

http://louysworld.com/stshow/hetakrkir/bardiner-07.wmv

://http://louysworld.com/2007/08/29/29...ner-07.wmv

[MosJan]

Fast Growing Tree Project In Armenia

http://hetq.am/static/images/frontend/pixel.gif

October 08, 2007

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http://hetq.am/uploaded/image/articles/2007/03/h-0307-armavir.jpg Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) has been keeping you informed of the situation with the its Fast Growing Tree Project in Armenia during last year. We are please to announce that we were able to get back the nursery in Armavier, which is approximately one hectare of land from 14 hectares of land that is illegally taken by the minister of finance. http://hetq.am/static/images/frontend/i_print.gifprintable version

 

http://hetq.am/static/images/frontend/emailtofriend.gifemail to friend

Survival of this nursery is essential for the future of the fast growing trees in Armenia. Samples from all 53 types of the fast growing poplars that have been imported to Armenia are planted in this nursery. This success was results of numerous letters and e-mails to the late prime minister of Armenia and support of the new governor of the Armavier Marz. However, we still trying to get back the reminder of 13 hectares. Attached are two write-ups in Armenian and English that provide some details about the project.

 

We have submitted a letter to the new prime minister of Armenia that provide history and details of the Fast growing Tree Project and issues related to the illegal confiscation of the land. We think that at this junction it is important for the new prime minister of Armenia to become aware of the situation related to this project. We would like to ask for your support one more time to saving this project. We will greatly appreciate if you send your protest letters to the prime minister and request that he takes actions to return the confiscated land. We are convinced that with your support, we should be able to take back the confiscated land and end to this injustice. We suggest that you copy your letters and e-mails to the US ambassador in Yerevan. You can send your letters to the following addresses:

 

Mr. Serzh Sargsyan

Prime Minister

Government Building 1

Republic Square

Yerevan, Armenia

e-mail: frd@gov.am

 

Mr. Rudolph Perina

Ambassador

US Embassy

1 American Avenue

Yerevan 0082, Armenia

e-mail: consular@usa.am

 

Or you can visit web site of the Armenia Government and fill out the comment box provided there at the following web address: http://www.gov.am/enversion/feed_back.htm

 

Another alternative is to visit AESA’s web site, use the sample protest letter, and e-mail it directly to the prime minister.

http://www.aesa.org/index.php?option=com_c...37&Itemid=1

 

Sample letter to PM:

 

Honorable Mr. Sargsyan,

I would like to express my concern and dismay regarding the situation with the Fast Growing Tree Project in Armenia. This project, which has been organized and financed, by the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) is in jeopardy due to the actions of some government officials. It is absolutely unacceptable for a minister to take over part of the land almost free and then sell it. The fast growing trees were planted 10 years ago and have been maintained with hard work and a large financial investment.

 

It has been my understanding that after several months of investigations by the government officials, this illegal land take over has not yet been rectified and only one heater out of 14 hectares have been returned. I demand that you take swift action resolving this issue and return the land to the project operators. The Government of Armenia must be the protector of such important project that is sponsored by the Diaspora.

 

 

Fast Growing Tree Project In Armenia

It has been now 16 years that Armenia is free and the Diaspora has been actively supporting Armenia by sending money and initiating projects to strengthen its independence and improve the economic situation. This write up provides background information regarding the Fast Growing Tree Project in Armenia, its accomplishments, and the illegal takeover by some government officials which jeopardized some parts of this project.

 

Background

 

In 1994, the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) based in Glendale, California and the Institute of Botany of the Armenian Academy of Sciences embarked on a project to introduce fast growing hybrid poplar trees in Armenia, which can be used as firewood or as soft wood lumber. These trees can satisfy the need for wood instead of cutting old trees from established forests. A few years later, the Armenian Forest Service (Hay Andar) also joined the project team.

 

Approximately 130,000 US and Canadian hybrid poplar cuttings from 53 different hybrid poplar clones have been imported into Armenia and planted in different sites in Armenia since 1994. The two major plantations are in Armavier (Ararat Valley). Approximately 17,000 cuttings of selected six clones were planted on 24 hectares during spring of 1998 and approximately 23,000 cuttings of selected five clones were planted on 28 hectares in the spring of 1999.

 

These trees were planted using 10-inch long cuttings and they grow to be 6-foot tall in about seven months. Trees that were planted in 1994 and 1995 in Armenia are now 45 to 55-foot high. Wood produced from the fast growing hybrid poplars could be used by the furniture manufacturers in Armenia, who normally import almost all the wood needed. Agro-forestry is a viable option for Armenia because Armenia has very limited soil suitable for the agricultural use.

 

Trees that are planted for production on plantations are planted widely enough to allow intercropping of traditional crops such as cabbages, tomatoes, melons, alfalfa, etc. between the trees.

 

Financing

 

This project is financed by the AESA, and locally managed by the Institute of Botany. AESA has funded the planting and the maintenance expenses for all the test plantations, as well as the purchase of a tractor, a mower, and two submerged irrigation pumps. The Lincy Foundation has been one of the major contributors to this project. In addition, ACDI/VOCA has financed 15 travel expenses to Armenia by the U.S. specialists. CRDF has also given a grant for analyzing the heat content of the different hybrid poplar clones. USDA has provided technical support for this project and several thousand cuttings. University of Washington and Washington State University have also provided staff that has traveled to Armenia to provide assistance for this project. Oakridge National Laboratory has supported this project by sending one of their experts to Armenia to evaluate biomass potential in Armenia.

 

Improving Soil Salinity

 

Another objective of the Fast Growing Tree Project is to determine the feasibility of large scale, short rotation plantations in parts of the Ararat Valley, which have saline soil. Several types of poplar trees have shown encouraging growth rates in the saline soil, which presently is not used for agricultural purposes. These salt tolerant hybrid poplar plantations in conjunction with special halophytes could lower salinity after several years by lowering the underground water table. It is estimated that more than 30,000 hectares of land in the Ararat Valley could be used for commercial crops if salinity of soil were reduced. Besides hybrid poplars, various salt tolerant plants (halophytes) as well as fast growing pine, birch, ash, and oak have also been introduced to Armenia as part of this project.

 

The Problem

 

Parts of the plantations in Armavier that were developed with a large investment are now in jeopardy due to the unlawful takeover by government officials in Armenia. Land where these plantations are established belonged to Armenian Forest Service (Hay Andar). In December of 2004, Armenian Forest Service dissolved their organization in Armavier region. All the land excluding the 52 hectares should have been given to the governor’s office for distribution to local farmers. Government’s decree 128 dated December 8, 2004 clearly indicates that the ownership of 52 hectares where the fast growing trees are planted plus 3000 square meters of land where the water well is must be given to the Armenian Institute of Botany to continue the experiment of the fast growing hybrid poplars.

 

In early 2005, the previous governor of Armavier region appealed this decision and claimed that this land should also be divided and sold to the local farmers. AESA, Armenian Forest Service, Ministry of Agricultural, Ministry of the Environmental Protection, and National Academy of Sciences protested against the governor’s request about destroying the plantation and selling the land. They had written letters to the Prime Minister requesting that the governor’s appeal to be denied and land ownership to be given to the Institute of Botany. After consideration of all the facts, the Armenian Government denied the governor’s request.

 

After government’s confirmation of the land ownership, the county recorder started to put different types of hurdles about transferring the ownership of the land to the Institute of Botany. First they were claiming that boundaries were not clear and a new survey was needed. Then, there were some requests of payment for expediting the transfer of ownership which was denied by the Institute of Botany. Finally it became apparent that all of these were smoke screens to sell big chunks of land released by the Forest Service to some governmental officials. Approximately 80 hectares of land was sold to the minister of finance at a shockingly low price. The land deed was issued under a relative’s name, and a few months later it was sold to a friend of the minister.

 

Approximately 13 hectares bearing the best trees in the fast growing tree plantation and the nursery where Institute of Botany had planted all 53 types of hybrid poplars for the future reproduction were part of these 80 hectares that was given to the Minister of Finance. We have strong reason to believe that the new owners would most likely cut the trees, sell them, and then sell the land. Evidence of this unlawful takeover of the land was presented to the late Prime Minister as well as office of the speaker of the Parliament, Land Governing Minister, and Foreign Minister. The US Embassy and the Millennium Challenge Corporation representatives in Yerevan were also notified about this situation. Since protection of the trees is under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Environmental Protection, they were also notified and made aware of our concern regarding the plans to cut trees. Numerous protest letters and e-mails were sent to the government officials from Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora. As a result of these and the assistance of the new governor of Armavier, the one hectare of the land where the nursery is located, was returned. Destruction of the nursery where all 53 imported clones of the hybrid fast growing trees are planted would have been a disastrous loss. This nursery should be used to supply needs for establishing fast growing tree plantations at different parts of Armenia. Cutting for these 53 types were sent to Armenia via airlift from the US and Canada with major difficulties and expenses.

 

It should also be mentioned that the governor’s office has offered to give the Institute of Botany some land nearby, instead of the confiscated parts of the plantations. However, the land that was offered is a barren land that cannot be of any use for the project.

 

Summary

 

The situation facing the Fast Growing Tree project can repeat itself to any other project initiated and supported by the Armenian Diaspora. We are asking your assistance in resolving this issue. This is a clear indication of the level of corruption at the high levels of the Armenian government where some officials take the ownership of the land virtually free, and then turn around and sell it for a large profit. Armenia has enormous potential for advancement, but corruption could seriously hinder such advancement and progress. Please send your protest letters and e-mails to the Armenian Government and demand that they save the Fast Growing Tree Project. We suggest that you address your correspondences to the Prime Minister and copy them to the US Ambassador in Yerevan.

 

Mr. Serzh Sargsyan

Prime Minister

Government Building 1 Republic Square Yerevan, Armenia

e-mail: frd@gov.am

 

Mr. Rudolph Perina

Ambassador

US Embassy 1 American Avenue Yerevan 0082, Armenia

e-mail: consular@usa.am

 

See also: Land Grabbed from Villagers