**alert- Ancient Armenian Forest Is Cut Down**

[Red Brigade]

We are urgently asking for your assistance. The Armenian government has plans to build an interstate highway through the Shikahogh Nature Preserve near the Iranian border. This preserve is one of only three untouched forests in Armenia and is home to many rare and endangered species of plants and animals whose habitat would be irreparably damaged by the proposed road. It is considered to be a primordial, ice-age forest, with some trees as much as 500 years old.

As we write bulldozers are waiting at the border of the preserve. They should have started their work two weeks ago but because of the efforts of an environmental coalition, of which ATP is a member, and a public outcry by Armenians in the homeland and the Diaspora, Shikahogh has won a few weeks’ reprieve.

This forest is a national treasure and is the heritage of the Armenian people. We must do everything we can to save Shikahogh--the People’s Forest--for future generations. We need to make sure that this road is not built through the preserve but takes an alternate route and that the Armenian government does not change the designation of this forest from PRESERVE to NATIONAL PARK, which would allow more roads and commercial activity.

Click here for more information about the proposed road through the Shikahogh Nature Preserve, and then take action today.

If you are in the United States, fill out the form below to join Carolyn Mugar in sending a letter to the Armenian government. In other countries, click here to find the contact information for the Armenian Ambassador in your country. In an email, copy and paste the letter below to President Kocharian via your Ambassador.

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Everyone send an e-mail if you can in this site and make them now you are against.Who knows.Perhaps the corrupted bastards will stop caring only about their pockets and do something for the country.

http://www.armeniatree.org/alert.htm

[CatWoman]

NO NO DON'T SEND THE EMAIL!

Wait a minute, the road is essential for the economy! Think about it, we are a landlocked country and don't have any borders open with Turkey or Azerbaijnan. The road we have with Iran is too narrow and impossible during winter times. I don't understand why people are so against this thing. It's well worth it!

All of a sudden, everyone is an environmentalist.

[Red Brigade]

Is there anything in your brain or what?Do you have the impression that those greedy clowns cant build a road from an other way?Stop behaving like an invalid, that forest has some trees of 500 years old and it is a trademark for Armenia.The Goverment claims that in order to build a road from another way they have to add 16-17 Khm.Do you have the impression they don't have the money?How the xxxx they built their villas on the mountains and they bought their luxury cars then.

[CatWoman]

Is there anything in your brain or what?Do you have the impression that those greedy clowns cant build a road from an other way?Stop behaving like an invalid, that forest has some trees of 500 years old and it is a trademark for Armenia.

You're concerned about some old trees when 50% of the population there lives under poverty level? You're asking me if I got brain in my head? hahaha... You know what my brain tells me? **Brain talking**: "Armenia is a landlocked country, it has no access to water. Armenia has a closed border with Turkey. Armenia has a closed border with Azerbaijan. Armenia/Georgia ahhh pretty shady, don't count too much on it for trade. Armenia/Iran good relations but only one narrow road which is very hard if not impossible to use when it snows(3/12 months of the year)".......... **brain takes a break**.......... "A second road to Iran will do nothing but benefit us, and the government said they can't build it any other way. Now economically speaking, that's worth more than some 500 year old trees".

Now Brigade, let's hear your brain talk.

The Goverment claims that in order to build a road from another way they have to add 16-17 Khm.Do you have the impression they don't have the money?How the xxxx they built their villas on the mountains and they bought their luxury cars then.

Oh please.... are you one of those "president eats caviar when people eat potatoes" kinds?

[ArmoBarbi]

Potatoes are good. (Caspian Beluga is better)

I can see an environmentalist side here, but I don't think thats the issue. If it is benefitial to the people to cut down the forest then of course it should be done, but I have a feeling there are other ways to get a road than to cut down an ancient forest.

[Red Brigade]

This is hillarious ,that forest is one of the most important parts in Armenia there are unique species living there, even Aksel Bakunts has made special dedications for that forest.Stop arguing for the sake of argument.We all know that the politicians are eating the money.This argument is really irritiating.They don't spend JUST A LITTLE MORE MONEY so they can PUT IT IN THEIR POCKETS.
I am vey aware of the problems of the Armenians.But NOBODY SAID NOT TO BUILT THE ROAD.We just said add few Khl and built it from the another way.
This hypocricy is going too far and you shouldnt protect the corrupt clowns.The same corrupted bastards which they assasinated members of the Armenian Parliament in cold blood infront of everyone and the TV.You talk as if Armenia has many forests. and you tend to forget that Armenia is a small country.
Unless if you have any personal $bennefit$ from this as well.

PS.I am not an enviromentalist i simply care about my country.Don't be so quick and try to label people.

[ArmoBarbi]

I personally want whatever is best for Armenia, I simply dont know enough about the issue to go either way, which is why I said what I said. I was not labeling you an environmentalist, but simply noting that there is that side. We may sometimes think of money too much when it comes to Armenia, but thats only because we are so concerned with its economy. I dont know about your experience, but I always seem to hear how Armenia is too poor and such. I never hear that it doesnt have enough wild life or trees. I mean, beyond the fact that its an important and old part of Armenia with animals to preserve, how does it benefit Armenia?? I am really curious.

[CatWoman]

Brigade, trust me, the government of Armenia cares about the country and its forests more than you and I do living abroad. If it was possible to do it any other way, they would. It pretty much comes down to: should we build the road or not. And for the reason mentioned above, I think they should.

[Red Brigade]

It is part of our history and it is a unique forest for Armenia,how can we do this?Let alone that it can be used for touristic attraction.I know that in Armenia the politicians are eating the money and they wash dirty money.They have the money to build a road and add just few Khl to preserve this national treasure.If they feel the pressure of the people they might endure and give a little money from their pockets.If they didn't had the the money to do it i wouldnt say this,but they do have them and they cut the trees so they can save it for their pockets.
I have posted an article about the situation in Armenia.If you want to read it its under there and you don't need to agree with it either.But just to have a fair idea.

http://www.marxist.com/Europe/capitalism_armenia.htm

[CatWoman]

I know that in Armenia the politicians are eating the money and they wash dirty money.

Some people might agree with you, I don't. There are only so many areas their budget can cover. There are many expenses for a country, any country, and Armenia isn't rich. I think the government is doing great and thanks to dashnaks, people who complain all the time about the government "eating the money" are kept silent, and for once, we're starting to see improvements!

Anyway, Friday June 17 is the public and probably final hearing on the forest case. Let's wait and see what happens.