In the frames “Elections…Politics…Ecology” video cycle EcoLur presents the interview with Hakob Sanasaryan, Chairman of Greens Union of Armenia, one of the pioneers who launched “green” political and civic movement in Armenia in the mid 80’s. The movement started getting more and more powerful, and it was supported by “Karabagh” Committee leaders. The representatives of the greens became the deputies of the first and factually independent parliament of the country. But this movement didn’t turn into a political party eventually. The political authorities of the country make public allegations addressed to the “greens”, they were allegedly guilty that Armenia found itself on the verge of collapse in the early 90’s, as the ANPP was closed down. The greens are also blamed for the destruction of chemical production, particularly such a chemical giant as “Nairit” rubber production. They are accused of destroying forests and forced lowering of Lake Sevan level. Though each informed person understands the implication of these political insinuations, nevertheless, the mass media willingly catches up them; they are repeated and pass from one to other politicians and so on. Hakob Sanasaryan gave explanations: Out of 7 the most polluted towns in the USSR five towns were located in Armenia. Meanwhile Armenia had the most powerful brainstorm and engineering potential. On this background the “Goyapahpanutyun” movement was set up (preserving existence or survival), which even didn’t claim to be a political movement. Nevertheless, we all faced the threat of political imprisonment. The most important task for us was air pollution then we started dealing with nuclear energy. After Zori Balayan’s article in 1987, the Kremlin responded and then the governmental committee arrived in Armenia. They started dealing with the problem of Nairit and recommended to deal with the production of chlorinated rubber outside Armenia. We were inspired. What about the ANPP, even when Armenia was half-dead and hardly breathed in and out, we maintained out positions. The life proved we were right and both the radiation background and radiation wastes pose huge hazard and insolvable problems for people.

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