CENN – APRIL 23, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. Archeological Researches Underway on BTC Pipeline Territories
2. Ambassador Mann Discusses BTC with Saakashvili
3. Baku-Ceyhan to Start Pumping by Mid 2005
4. OSI-AF/Azerbaijan and BP are Pleased to Announce That They Have
Signed an Agreement
5. OSCE Office in Baku marks Earth Day
6. Assistance with Forest Inventory and Forest Management Planning in
the Forests Development Project -Working Group meeting
7. EU Enlargement and Biodiversity

1. ARCHEOLOGICAL RESEARCHES UNDERWAY ON BTC PIPELINE TERRITORIES

Source: State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, AzerTag,
April 21, 2004

In accordance with the plan of archeological researches on the
territories, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline lays, archeological digs
are carried out on the ancient settlement of Saidlar of Samukh region,
early March, AzerTAj correspondent learnt from the research officer of
the Institute of Archeology and ethnography of Azerbaijan National
Academy of Sciences, PhD of historical sciences Safar Ashurov. It was
ascertained that ancient parking refers to II- I B.C.

The archaeologist noted that Moslem graves have been also revealed with
adornments – gold ear- rings, about 400 beads as a result of digs
carried out in the environs of Gushgara River. The graves are
presupposed refers to VII-VI B.C.

2. AMBASSADOR MANN DISCUSSES BTC WITH SAAKASHVILI

Source: The Messenger, April 23, 2004

US Ambassador Steve Mann met with the President of Georgia Mr.
Saakashvili on April 20, 2004 together with US Ambassador Miles where
they discussed Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, reports the US Embassy.

As the senior US official dealing with Caspian energy issues, Ambassador
Mann is involved in realizing the BTC pipeline in the launch of the
Caspian Consortium (CPC) line, and a range of other Eurasian energy
responsibilities while acting as Special Negotiator. In 2003 Ambassador
Mann joined the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq where he worked
to manage transition of the UN Oil-For-Food Program.

3. BAKU-CEYHAN TO START PUMPING BY MID 2005

Source: The Messenger, April 23, 2004

According to the Ekho Baku, USD 2 billion has already been spent on the
project to construct the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. David
Woodward, President of BP Azerbaijan, stated that the first oil to be
shipped through BTC pipeline might take place in June next year.
According to him the process filling the pipeline is planned to be
started only after the reception of the first oil from the oilfield
`Central Azeri’ (CA) and the conclusion of all technical works connected
to its delivery onto the shore.

It is also planed to transport mixed oil from CA as well as from the
staging platform `Chirag’. `We decided not to start the infill of BTC
before the reception of the first oil from `Chirag’, but as for the
launching of the oil plant at the Sangachal terminal we expect to use
the oil from `Chirag’ stated the president of BP Azerbaijan. Mr.
Woodward also said that costs on using the BTC will total more than USD
4 million per 24 hours. The building of the pipeline requires USD 2.95
billion and USD 3.6 billion is the entire cost of the project, including
the infill of the pipeline and the interest on loans used to finance the
construction.

`It is enough for the construction on the pipeline to be finished by the
end of the first quarter of next year,’ noted Mr. Woodward. He also said
that USD 1 billion from already received credits is being directed to
the return of extra investments deposited by stockholders. `This year we
held negotiations with our contractors and they decided to recruit
additional employees for this process and acquire equipment needed to
complete the construction of the pipeline schedule’, stated Mr.
Woodward.

Regarding concerns with the Georgian parliament, Mr. Woodward said, `In
the near future we intend to present a document in which our actions in
connection with the project will be fixed, and we think that this
information will be satisfactory for them and that there will be no
problems.’

A for Turkey, Mr. Woodward said that the Turkish Company BOTAS agreed to
open one more work site in Turkey near the Georgian boarder and to work
out an integrated plan in connection with the pump stations for
providing the timely completion of the project.

4. OSI-AF/AZERBAIJAN AND BP ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEY HAVE
SIGNED AN AGREEMENT

OSI-AF/Azerbaijan and BP are pleased to announce that they have signed
an agreement under which OSI-AF will co-ordinate monitoring of the BTC
pipeline construction by NGOs in Azerbaijan. For more information,
please find the press release below.

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Rovshan Bagirov: (99412) 986933, 412722

PRESS RELEASE

BAKU, April 22, 2004. OSI-AF and BP are pleased to announce that they
have signed an agreement under which OSI will co-ordinate monitoring of
the BTC pipeline construction by NGOs in Azerbaijan.

Under the agreement, which lasts until construction of the pipeline is
complete, OSI-AF will act as facilitator between the participating NGOs,
and as the principal liaison point between the NGOs and BP.

Over the coming weeks OSI-AF will work with the NGOs on themes,
timescale and processes for their monitoring activities. The NGOs taking
part in the monitoring will receive information about the pipeline
project and about BTC health, safety, environmental and social
standards. External experts will provide them with training in
monitoring and evaluation techniques and report writing.

OSI-AF will contribute financially to the NGO monitoring activities,
while BP will pay for the training costs.

The monitoring process is aiming to increase public awareness about BTC
project development, about challenges and concerns raised during
construction period and also serve for the establishment of healthy
cooperation between all stakeholders to develop a good practice of civic
involvement.

5. OSCE OFFICE IN BAKU MARKS EARTH DAY

On April 22, 2004 a series of events and outdoor activities for
Azerbaijani children, aimed at teaching them to understand the global
environmental challenges and to be more responsible towards nature were
held throughout the country as part of a campaign dedicated to Earth
Day.

`It is the duty of the government and the people to make sure that the
land is preserved, the air is clean and the water is pure,” said
Ambassador Peter Burkhard, Head of the OSCE Office in Baku. “Our Office
is ready to provide assistance and support to ensure that Azerbaijan can
effectively address the environmental challenges it faces”.

Several non-governmental organizations, including Ecosphere, Gulum (My
flower) and Green Patrol, are leading a campaign, supported by the OSCE
Office in Baku, under the educational and awareness raising programmes
of the Aarhus Centre. Among the activities are seminars, opinion polls
on environmental awareness, cleanups of public parks and areas around
schools, as well as tree planting and water testing events.

Commenting on the results of the project, Firuza Sultanzadeh, Chair of
Ecosphere said: `Although Earth Day is celebrated once a year, we want
to encourage people to be more active in preserving the environment, and
making the world a better place to live. When people learn to care for
the Earth, we will have a healthier planet.’

Earth Day has been commemorated since 22 April 1970, when some 20
million people held peaceful demonstrations in cities across the United
States of America to draw attention to increasing environmental problems
in their neighborhoods and around the world.

For further information, please contact:

Ulvi Akhundlu
Media and Political Assistant
OSCE Office in Baku
4 Magomayev Lane 2nd floor Icheri Sheher
37004, Baku, Azerbaijan
Tel.: +994-12 97 23 73
Fax: +994-12 97 23 77
E-mail: ulvi@osce-baku.org

6. ASSISTANCE WITH FOREST INVENTORY AND FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING IN
THE FORESTS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT -WORKING GROUP MEETING

Tbilisi, Georgia — The second meeting of the working group of the
Forest Inventory and Forest Management Planning in the Forests
Development Project has been carried out in Tbilisi in April 21, 2004.
The meeting was dedicated to the preparation of the stakeholder meeting
in the Borjomi area.

Another preparatory meeting will take place on April 28, 2004.

Irina Kitiashvili, CENN

7. EU ENLARGEMENT AND BIODIVERSITY

Source: IUCN, April 22, 2004

On May 1, 2004, all eyes will be on the European Union and the
additional 75 million people who will be joining. Although it is
undoubtedly for the benefit of all Europeans, the environment is among
the most complicated issues to be dealt with during the process of
enlargement of the European Union. The enlargement presents some
long-term challenges for the rich natural heritage of the new member
states. Accession countries are enriching the EU through the
biodiversity they are bringing, as they represent a large proportion of
Europe’s remaining natural wealth. However, the greatest challenge for
the new EU member states today is to retain their natural resources
while offering their citizens opportunities for improving their well
being. IUCN – The World Conservation Union takes stock of the
biodiversity assets of the new member states and highlights
opportunities and challenges for biodiversity conservation in an
enlarged EU.

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