Panorama.am

18:33 23/03/2007

DIRECTOR OF OBSERVATORY SAYS THE STAFF GETS INSUFFICIENT FUNDING

Haik Harutunyan, director of Biurakan observatory sadly remarked that
government delegations do not visit the site whereas in the past all
state and government delegations, which came to Armenia, by all means
made a tour in the observatory.

Harutunyan said the observatory has 100 employees but the state
releases funds only 73.5 positions. `You cannot attract an employee
with 20 000 Armenian drams in salary,’ the director mentioned.

To cover financial insufficiencies, the observatory is establishing
ties with foreign countries. It has links with France, Italy and
Russia and cooperation with Germany is now under
consideration. Harutunyan said a conference with European countries is
expected in August 20-25, this year, with the participation of
representatives from Iran, India, Japan, China and USA.

Source: Panorama.am