2005 EXPECTED TO BE A BREAK THROUGH

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
12 April 05

The break through mentioned in the title is expected in the social and
economic sphere, building and reconstruction works, in education and
culture, as well as other spheres of life. The Armenians living in all
parts of the world realize the necessity of fundamental reconstruction
of the Armenian fortress Shushi and the adjacent villages freed from
captivity lasting for over 70 years. Trying to find out what plans
were brought into being in the year 2004 we talked to the head of the
regional administration of Shushi Vladimir Kassian. Nikolay
Baghdassarian: `Mr. Kassian, at our last meeting which tookplace about
a year ago you cited the saying from the past century `The one who
will rule Shushi will rule entire Karabakh’. However, you immediately
added that ruling is not enough; one must nurture it by all
means. Then you expressed anxiety about the slow rate of
reconstruction of Shushi.’ Vladimir Kassian: `You know, in any case it
is more useful to give a realistic picture of the state of things.
Well, would you believe me if I had told you (or tell you now) that
everything is excellent? On the other hand, everything is not so very
bad. Let us casta glance in retrospect. We all remember how Shushi was
destroyed after the liberation. We also remember that due to bad
control the people who settledin Shushi in a disorderly manner added
to the destruction. Not a single house had remained intact in the
village of Karin Tak, closely situated to Shushi. The same sad picture
was in all the other places of the region. Now very few houses remain
which need reconstruction. And this is the result of large-scale
building, construction of new high voltage electric conduits and other
infrastructures in the region on state budget, as well as charity
means. Atpresent almost all the communities (except Kirsavan) are
supplied with gas, the densely populated center of the town has been
gasified too. In the region special attention is paid to the problem
of housing of the families of killed azatamartiks, the disabled of
war, the veterans of war and families having many children. Detached
houses are built for the families of the mentioned categories, as well
as the new settlers. In 2004 the organization `Country and Culture’
reconstructed the surgical department of the regional hospital. The
obstetric, surgical, therapeutic, paediatric departments, the
policlinic and the emergency department operated normally. The medical
staff has a new therapist and obstetrician. The dental clinic also
operated effectively; despite work overload it satisfies the demands
of the population. Unfortunately, the question of repairing the
buildings of medical stations and maternity wards in villages still
remainson the agenda.’ N.B.: `You gave general information. Would
yougive numbers characterizing the social and economic situation in
the region in 2004?’ V.K.: ` First of all, I would like to mention
that the year was significant for thefact that all the payments were
done in time, all the institutions, organizations received the
additional payments from the state budget by 100 per cent. Last year
we provided 122 per cent of income of the budget of the community.
However, the consolidated budget was implemented by 95.3 per cent, the
state budget – by 89.7 per cent. The reasons are both subjective and
objective. In particular, the building companies working in the
region, being registered in other places of the republic, accordingly
pay taxes the community where they are registered. This is a problem,
and already steps are taken at solving it. In 2004 190.8 million drams
was provided from the state budget for the repair of Ghazanchetsots
Street, central heating of the building of the regional
administration, repair of the plumbing in Ghondaghsazian Street,
construction of the new cultural center in the village of Lisagor,
housing, sanitation, gasifying, etc. Means were provided for
preparing all the schools for winter, the heating installations of the
schools after Abovian and Muratsan were repaired enabling the normal
operation of the central heating. The reconstruction of the former
high-rise hotel is carried out. Roadworks on Ghazanchetsots Street
will be completed very soon.’ N. B.: `Mr. Kassian, the implementation
of the programme of social security and resettlement in the region
and, particularly, the considerable progress in small business in the
town of Shushi mark progress, positive tendencies. What is the picture
like in these spheres?’ V.K.: `Before answering the question I would
like to point out a reassuring fact: against the previous years the
number of people who wish to have flats in Shushi rose considerably in
2004. This is the thing we had long waited for. Some peoplesay, prices
for realty rose in the capital, and Shushi is within reach of hand and
therefore people face towards Shushi. Well, let it be so. However, as
a result the regional center will be inhabited very quickly, the
ruined buildings will be reconstructed and the town will look like a
town. Besides, some inhabitantsof Shushi, who seemed to be passive in
the course of privatization of houses, recently have become more
active; some people reconstruct buildings on their own means, others
expect the government to cover at least part of expenses. In 2004 the
relevant department of the regional administration received 61
applications for privatization of flats, 63 for repair of roofs of
detached houses, 25 applications for re-settling, 4 applications for
loans, 57 applications requesting for land. These facts are
encouraging. On the other hand, they ascertain that day by day the
region and especially the regional center expect more means for
building and reconstruction. In 2005 300 million drams were provided
from the state budget for building, more than to any other region in
the republic. Besides, 25 million drams was provided from the state
budget for gasification of flats and construction of two
medium-pressure gas pipelines, 118 million drams for preservation of
schools, 12 million drams for building three houses for the programmes
of the department of migration, refugees and re-settlement. Against
2005 state subsidies to budget-financed institutions grew
significantly (according to the data on 2004, in the region there are
47 budget-financed institutions, 9 industrial cooperative societies,
25 limited and 5 state closed joint stock companies, 24 sole
proprietors, etc.). The realty market is developing. In 2004 117
persons received license for ownership, 38 persons took out a
lease. The state registration in the communities of Hin Shen, Mets
Shen, Karin Tak has been completed. This comes to prove that there is
progress, and the subsidies from the state budget in the current year
reassure that the year 2005 to be a break through.’ N.B.: `And the
last question. It refers to the main branch of economy – agriculture.’
V.K.: `The question is clear. I should add that it refers to the
everyday anxieties of the villagers. As well as the problems the
solution of which is impossible without government intervention, and
their postponement may be fatal. There is always much work to do in
the villages. The total area of farming land is 923 hectares: 828
hectares of grain, 62 hectares of potatoes, and 33 hectares of
vegetable. However, year by year the crop yield declines. There are no
means for fertilizers. By the way, in 2005 800 million drams were
provided to the fund for development of small business. The loans
provided on these means will be aimed at developing business in the
villages. However, the farmer has nothing to pawn. This question must
be solved immediately in order to direct the loans to the villagers
mainly.’

NIKOLAY BAGHDASSARIAN.
12-04-2005