The only families I see benefitting from the mines are the oligarchic kind. Don’t make it seem like the ordinary people in Armenia are seeing a penny (or should I say luma?) from these thieves. The proof is all over YouTube… villagers from Kajaran to Katnaghbyur begging for assistance and trying to let us know what these oligarchs are doing to the country. And then they have the gall to “tour the diaspora” and ask for more and more $$$. Sickening.

No more “let’s blame Turks and Azeris for everything,” “we’re under blockade,” “don’t embarrass your country” excuses. It’s time to take a stand against the horrific corruption and political ineptness of the leadership in Armenia.

An economic blockade does NOT excuse corruption. Sorry.

Let’s get together and talk. Shoot an email to ara@snff.org and let’s set up a meeting.

I too am an Armenian who is living outside of Armenia for now, after living there for over 10 years. I didn’t leave for better economic opportunities, but as a matter of survival. These people in power who you seem to want to give more opportunities to properly rule over the Armenian nation are the same that could not handle the truth I have time and again presented, thus my exile from Armenia for now.

We decided to sing the Armenian national anthem as the Secret Service had backed up the PM’s SUV to the side door of Church so they could quickly load up the PM and drive off. If you carefully watch the video you will see this with the rear driver’s side door being opened. We decided that we would sing the anthem so he could not sit down in the car and would have to wait to get in or walk over to us and talk.

As for elections in Armenia go, we have seen time and again that they don’t work. I’ll tell you what awaits us should there be another flawed election similar to what we saw in 2008 and most recently earlier this year with the Parliament elections and that is more violence and possibly the bloody revolution you fear.

If you ask me, there should be no elections yet. Instead there should be rule of law and respecting the Armenian Constitution. If we do that, those who need to be dethroned will be facing criminal charges as well as their misappropriated gains returned to the state. This will include the PM and many of those who were with him on this trip. Of course this would work if everyone was on the same page, but since this is clearly not the case, then a peaceful movement like this one is the most viable option at this time. And trust me when I tell you, this movement is picking up steam and we will see positive results. The PM alludes to this in his statement to us, not as lip service, but as a matter of attempted survival of the present ruling powers.

As for the Azeris and being able to take advantage of us during the changing of the guard, rest assured that such a change will not make us weaker, but in fact stronger. I am very close with some of the top brass in the Armenian/Artsakh army and they are ready for such changes and will follow what is best for the country, continuing to secure our borders from all sides.

I am an Armenian citizen who happens to live outside Armenia at present, not because of mercury intoxication, but rather because of pursuing better economic conditions.

Emigration is a problem that many countries of the world are affected with, even citizens of Europe, Middle East and Asia continuously migrate to Ango-Saxon (US/UK/AUS/CAN) countries for better opportunities or living conditions.

I have no relation to any government officials, on the contrary I despise most of them and I am fully aware of their corruption.

As we see in the video you linked, their was no need for provocative behavior like singing the national anthem when the PM was far and approaching. Out of respect, the protestors could have waited for the PM and chant the national anthem together.

I am all for UNITY among Armenians and encourage dialog and joint development projects among the Armenian Diaspora and the Armenian Government.
In fact, to improve the diaspora’s position in demanding reforms, why not form a diaspora government and take part in Armenia’s governance?

I myself falling under the Diaspora category am very worried of some NGOs receiving funds from US/EU sources, because at the end of the day, nothing is given for free in this world, certainly not money! one has to serve his master, and this applies to the so called NGOs.

The most dangerous thing is to label such Ecological/Human rights movements as a Diaspora activity.

Bottomline: It is unacceptable for ethnic Armenians to stage insulting protests against Armenian state officials when they are on foreign visits. Nevertheless, Sargysyan was kind enough to meet the protestors, listen to them and talk to them despite the numerous interruptions he encountered. In most serious countries, a prime minister would not bother to greet such a crowd.

Let us be grateful that we have such an approachable Prime minister, by working together we can build a prosperous future and not by promoting divisions.

Now that elections season is near, the last thing we want to see is some form of fake colored revolution taking place in Armenia and jeopardizing the republic of Armenia that is only two inches away from converting into a Turko Islamic cesspool.
The Syrian revolution is one example of the risks ahead of us. Just imagine how some minor instability in government and security can be taken advantage by Azerbaijan to make tactical advances in Artsakh and occupy parts of the liberated territories.
Such risky adventures are unacceptable!

One correction to this story. The Burbank police were present just before we showed up to protest. I had personally texted the chief of police, who I happen to be friends with, in the morning to warn him of our peaceful protest starting at 3 p.m. I asked that if he had resources to spare to send them our way to watch over us just in case we had pro-government instigators try to turn our protest violent. He called me back to let me know that he contacted the watch commander of my request and that because of the diplomatic nature of the guests, the Secret Service would also be there and he has has no control over them. The alternative would have been the Secret Service and Church hired security only, who were less than friendly to us and in fact on a few occasions intimidated us (we have it on video that will be posted soon). Believe me when I tell you, the Burbank police were there to protect us protesters and not the other way around. With that said, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chief Scott LaChasse and his 1st class officers who watched over us.

To all those who think that “real patriots” should shut up about problems in their country because we’ll make some Azeris happy, I’ll say – because of this thinking for 20 years everybody shut their mouths and emigrated from Armenia. Don’t you think that empty lands are the best present one can ever give to “enemies” or however you call them? Those in power now are not better than all external oppressors we’ve had. If you don’t support the right people NOW (and the right people are not in the Armenian government), tomorrow may be too late. One wise person said “there are two ways to destroy the people- you either kill them or kill their environment. We are clearly on the second path.”

And by the way, watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2ss2jirF5nk. The old man from Getahovit village says at the end “ձեր թոռները ձեզ չեն ներելու, թքիլտին ձեր ճակտի միջին”:

It is not true that Armenia is being depopulated only because of mining. There are vast expanses of pristine natural territories in Armenia and Artsakh having no mines around, why do villages keep emptying it? Why does the diaspora never consider repatriating in those villages and be the custodians of the homeland?

Or is it easier to get some funds from USAID and troll around with some activism meanwhile enjoying the luxuries of a warm and online lifestyle in Yerevan or California.

If you want to save the nature, go build your house over the mineral rich territories rather than visit for a “one-day-protests”. SHOW the locals you care about nature. Living with them is the greatest proof for solidarity. All the rest is charlatanism.