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MP Hakobyan - "Hey man, have you even been to Kajaran?"
What follows is a conversation I had with MP Vahe Hakobyan. I attempted to focus on the debate now raging in the Kajaran region regarding local mining operations and the threats they pose to the environment and prospects for tourism development.
I should add that MP Hakobyan hails from the town of Kajaran and served as the Executive Director of the Zangezur Mining Company from 2003-2004.
Residents of Kajaran village are complaining about plans to open a new mine in the area.
Tell me something new.
So why are they complaining?
You went there. Don't you know what they are saying?
Of course I do. They say that the church and cemetery will be threatened with destruction if that happens. Haven't you met with your electorate about these issues?
Who says so? Have you ever been to the town of Kajaran? What are you talking about? I don't get the question. Are we about to blow up the cemetery or what? Don't ask such foolish stuff.
But are there plans to operate a mine in the area?
How the heck should I know? I'm not the head of a company to decide such a thing.
So you're saying you don't even know that the village mayor wrote a letter about this to the president?
What does the village mayor have to do with it? Has he ever operated a mine? Has he spoken with the company director? Do you think you like Kajaran more than I do? The mayor did the right thing. But he's so incompetent that he hasn't even thought of meeting with the management of the company.
The mayor says he's tried but to no avail. Would the issues have been resolved if he did?
Man, what kinds of questions are you asking me? Is this part of your job? The mayor is saying incorrect things. Don't you understand? I'm speaking Armenian, right? You have no right to speak on behalf of the villagers. I live with them and am informed about everything. It all stems from the interests of the people who live there. Their interests come first, then the business interests. Don't you realize what such an operation is and that it's a major taxpayer? You should be proud of such a thing. But here you are asking questions designed to give a negative spin to it.
Have you been to the village?
I live there. I don't think you get the picture. I live in the town of Kajaran, just a few kilometres from the village. It's where I was born. I am very concerned about what goes in there. You just can't go asking ridiculous questions just because you bumped into someone there who said this or that. Give me well reasoned questions and I'll answer them. You should go ask the village mayor if he's ever met with the management of the Kajaran Combine. Have any of the villagers who are so concerned ever met with the company?
But even you, a representative of the area, haven't met with the villagers.
I don't have to meet with them, I live with them. Even you must understand this. There are some people who don't want to see me. Those who wish to see me, see me.
What about the environmental risks associated with a mining operation in the area? Don't you see any potential dangers?
Hey guy, have you ever seen a mine? What are you talking about? I'll tell you something else. The town of Kajaran was built on the basis of the mine; so that it could operate. What environmental dangers are you talking about? You are breathing in more dust in Yerevan than you would in Kajaran. I can give you some information but I'm not an expert. I might say something wrong. It doesn't seem that this conversation with you is going anywhere.
You gave the same answers when we spoke a few months back.
Look here. Just so it doesn't get any worse the third time, I advise you to look find fault within yourself. OK?
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