AZG Armenian Daily #075, 27/04/2005

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ANOTHER CLASH AT DALMA ORCHARDS

Prime Minister Is the Only Hope for Owners of Orchards

Recently another clash took place between the new and the old owners of
Dalma orchards. The new owners of the orchards brought tractors and tried to
ruin the orchards, while the old owners didn’t allow them. When the clash
ended they met with RA prime minister Andranik Margarian.

By the decree of the PM a conference was called up at Yerevan Municipality
to give a sensible solution to the issue.

After the Artsakh war, Vahan Zatikian, head of “Malatsia” Yerkrapah
detachment, allocated small lots to the families of perished freedom
fighters of the war. The lots were at their disposal for 10 years. The
people planted fruit and vegetables orchards here. The term of lease was to
expire in June, 2004. The owners failed to prolong the rent of the orchards.
While in 2003, the orchards were sold to new owners without informing the
old ones.

The former owners of Dalma orchards told in the interview to “Azg” that they
had been frequently threatened by the representatives of the new owners. The
families of the freedom fighters applied to RA President, RA ombudswoman,
general Manvel Grigorian, but they received encouraging response only from
RA prime minister.

When they visited him two weeks ago he ordered the Yerevan Municipality to
settle the issue, then he ordered the community representatives and the
police to protect the 27 owners lest someone hurts them.

The people that ear their living by cultivating fruits and vegetables do not
want any financial compensation for the land the new owners offer them

1,5 hectares of the lots were sold to an Edik Simonian, from Vanadzor, that
currently lives in Moscow.

At present, negotiations are being held for allocating new lands for him in
another place. Notwithstanding this last factor, the tension doesn’t relax.

The spring agricultural works have begun already, while the people not
knowing anything are doomed to uncertain expectations.

By Karine Danielian
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