Waiting for ministers with fruit
Street traders were trading again today as they sold fruits and vegetables not on the streets, but in front of the government building.
Mayor of Yerevan Karen Karapetyan's decision to ban street trade has left the traders without a job for a long time now.
Many street traders say they have tried to work in mini markets, but there hasn't been any trade and all their products have gone to waste.
"Would you shop at a market when there are vegetable sellers near your apartment building? We still haven't received a positive response to our question and there is no progress," says Lena Vardanyan.
Environmentalists and citizens concerned about Armenia's mining industry were also gathered in front of the government building today. They were holding different signs showing the photos of deputies and government officials who have mines or sponsor the exploitation of mines. Among those deputies and officials are Serzh Sargsyan, Robert Kocharyan, MP Tigran Arzakantsyan, Heghine Naghdalyan, Minister Armen Gevorgyan and others.
Head of Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center Sona Ayvazyan mentioned that their demand is to suspend the adoption of the RA Code "On the Lithosphere", revise the document and take into account the non-governmental organizations' suggestions.
There are 465 mining industry licenses in Armenia, and another 170 districts are being studied and will be given permission for exploitation after the revelation of adequate resources.
President of the "Asbarez" Club in Gyumri Levon Barseghyan says Armenia has turned into a raw material supplier. "I think mining industrialists make huge profits, but what they don't take into account is the health condition of people living nearby."
The demonstrators call on the World Bank not to support the development of the new code "On the Lithosphere".
