“We had a lengthy discussion so that we could understand the problems and their solutions,” head of the National Security Service Artur Vanetsyan said after consultations in the Tavush region.
There has been a tense situation in the Tavush region since July 17th because of clashes between civilians and police. Several leaders of different departments and community leaders gathered at the provincial government building for discussions.
The NSS leader said that the Tavush region is known for its forests and those forests can be used for more than wood for burning. Artur Vanetsyan said that the region’s forests can be tourist attractions, and the government has initiated legislative changes to allow people to use those areas for tourism purposes.
Artur Vanetsyan said that everyone accepted the option that wood from forests can be given to citizens who will use it to warm their homes in the winter. Community leaders have suggested that the state use the appropriate services to gather that wood and deliver it to citizens via the provincial or community governments.
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A reporter asked whose money is behind all of this, alluding to statements that there is a possibility of corruption in this. “The NSS has carried out operative investigations in parts of regions covered in lots of forests. The NSS alone has filed more than 10 cases for illegal tree cutting. Forestry officials and law enforcement are also involved in this work,” Artur Vanetsyan said. The Investigative Committee is working on all of these cases. Therefore, the NSS leader said that all questions can be directed to the committee.
He also advised the residents of Tavush to refrain from clashing with police and to try to receive all their answers from the provincial or community government.
Nelly Grigoryan
