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GOVERNMENT MOVES TO PRIVATIZE HISTORIC STRUCTURES
By Shakeh Avoyan
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
March 15 2007
Courting serious controversy, the Armenian government on Thursday
paved the way for the privatization of thousands of old buildings
that have been deemed part of the country's historical and cultural
heritage until now.
The move took the form of major changes in the official list of
"historical and cultural monuments" that belong to the state and
are supposed to be protected by it under a special Armenian law. It
has until now included 24,132 properties, most of them old churches,
excavated ancient sites, and buildings dating back to the pre-Soviet
period.
"That list has been completely revised in accordance with existing
legal requirements," Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosian told
reporters after a cabinet meeting. "More than 18,935 monuments were
today reaffirmed in the list of monuments that are not subject to
alienation."
Poghosian said private institutions and individuals will be offered
to acquire the remaining 5,000 or structures without being allowed
to demolish them. She did not release the list of those properties,
saying only that it includes unspecified old churches that "can be
repaired and serve their purpose."
Poghosian indicated that the Armenian Apostolic Church will also be
offered to become the owner of Yerevan's massive Saint Gregory the
Illuminator cathedral that was built in 2001. The cathedral formally
belongs to the state despite being used by the church for religious
services.
The government's decision is likely to prompt more protests from
Armenian non-governmental organizations and prominent individuals
that have been ringing alarm bells over the rapid disappearance of
the few remaining old houses and buildings in central Yerevan, scene
of a large-scale government-sanctioned redevelopment.
Late last year, a group of renowned Armenian architects called for the
government's "immediate intervention" in the demolition of historic
properties included on the official heritage list. In an open letter
to Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, they said at least a dozen
such buildings have been torn down by private developers despite a
government ban reaffirmed in December 2004.
By Shakeh Avoyan
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
March 15 2007
Courting serious controversy, the Armenian government on Thursday
paved the way for the privatization of thousands of old buildings
that have been deemed part of the country's historical and cultural
heritage until now.
The move took the form of major changes in the official list of
"historical and cultural monuments" that belong to the state and
are supposed to be protected by it under a special Armenian law. It
has until now included 24,132 properties, most of them old churches,
excavated ancient sites, and buildings dating back to the pre-Soviet
period.
"That list has been completely revised in accordance with existing
legal requirements," Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosian told
reporters after a cabinet meeting. "More than 18,935 monuments were
today reaffirmed in the list of monuments that are not subject to
alienation."
Poghosian said private institutions and individuals will be offered
to acquire the remaining 5,000 or structures without being allowed
to demolish them. She did not release the list of those properties,
saying only that it includes unspecified old churches that "can be
repaired and serve their purpose."
Poghosian indicated that the Armenian Apostolic Church will also be
offered to become the owner of Yerevan's massive Saint Gregory the
Illuminator cathedral that was built in 2001. The cathedral formally
belongs to the state despite being used by the church for religious
services.
The government's decision is likely to prompt more protests from
Armenian non-governmental organizations and prominent individuals
that have been ringing alarm bells over the rapid disappearance of
the few remaining old houses and buildings in central Yerevan, scene
of a large-scale government-sanctioned redevelopment.
Late last year, a group of renowned Armenian architects called for the
government's "immediate intervention" in the demolition of historic
properties included on the official heritage list. In an open letter
to Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, they said at least a dozen
such buildings have been torn down by private developers despite a
government ban reaffirmed in December 2004.