CENN – APRIL 22, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. EBRD To Increase Central Asian Antipoverty Programs
2. Construction of Modern Nuclear Power Plant a Viable Option
3. IUCN Promotes Environmental Flows at CSD-12 Meeting in New York
4. Announcement of the Ministry of Environment of Georgia

1. EBRD TO INCREASE CENTRAL ASIAN ANTIPOVERTY PROGRAMS

Source: EurasiaNet.org,

European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) President Jean
Lemierre said on 19 April that the bank plans to boost investment in the
seven poorest countries in which it operates. In a press release issued
on 19 April, the EBRD said the so-called “early transition countries”
(ETCs) are Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, and Moldova. In these countries, where more than 50 percent of
the population lives below the poverty line, the bank will provide
private-sector credits of 500,000 euros to 2 million euros
($593,000-$2.4 million) to develop the banking sector and aid the growth
of small and medium-sized businesses. To this end, the EBRD is appealing
to donors to provide additional funds that would allow the bank to
increase investment in the seven ETCs from the current 90 million euros
to 150 million euros. DK

2. CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT A VIABLE OPTION

Source: Armenpress, April 21, 2004,

Armen Movsisian, the Minister of Energy Sector of Armenia stated that
Armenia’s nuclear power plant will operate until an alternative energy
source, with the capacity of producing the same amount of energy at
equal cost is found. He added that the European Union’s proposed $100
million in assistance covers only an eighth of the total funds necessary
to find an alternative energy source.

He suggested that the construction a modern nuclear power plant in
Armenia presents a more viable solution than the option of producing
alternative energy; however, Movsisian noted that Armenia’s budget is
unable to cover the immense cost in building a new plant.

Asked about the handling of nuclear waste, the minister said that by way
of a grant from the French government, dry warehouses currently in use
were built for that specific purpose.

3. IUCN PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS AT CSD-12 MEETING IN NEW YORK

Source; IUCN, April 21, 2004

What is vital for healthy functioning river systems and critical for
achieving economic prosperity and the conservation of biodiversity? The
answer, offered by IUCN at the meeting of the 12th session of the UN
Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-12), is environmental flows.
`Environmental flows’ means enough water is left in our rivers and is
managed to ensure downstream environmental, social and economic
benefits. Following a delegates’ debate on balancing water issues, IUCN
held a highly interactive side event on Environmental Flows for
Sustainable Development. Close to 60 participants discussed the
importance of environmental flows for people and nature, considered
experience already gained in achieving environmental flows, and explored
the next steps in promoting and implementing environmental flows for
sustainable development. IUCN’s guide `Flow – The Essentials of
Environmental Flows’ was also presented. CSD-12, held from 19-30 April
in New York, focuses on water, sanitation and human settlements.

4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT OF GEORGIA

Source: `Sakartvelos Respublica’ (`Republic of Georgia’), April 22, 2004

In accordance with the Georgian legislation, Ltd `Gachiani – 2004′
submitted EIA report to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to obtain
an environmental permit for the activity of first category – Project on
the Enterprise for Extracting Copper from the Amortized Utilizable Acid
Accumulators in Gardabani Region, Village Gachiani.

In accordance with the Georgian legislation, entrepreneur Leri
Zeinkalashvili submitted EIA report to the Ministry of Environment of
Georgia to obtain an environmental permit for the activity of first
category – Project on Mini Manganese Washing Enterprise in Chiatura.

EIA reports are available at the press-centre of the Ministry of
Environment (68, Kostava str., VI floor) and at the Department of
Environmental Permits and State Ecological Expertise (87, Paliashvili
Str., Tel: 25 02 19). Interested stakeholders can analyze the document
and present their comments and considerations until June 8, 2004.

Public hearing will be held on June 8, 2004 at 12:00, at the conference
hall of the Ministry of Environment.

—
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: info@cenn.org
URL: