Author: Frangulian Shushan

Azat Artsakh – Repubic of Nagorno Karabakh
March 22, 2004

CHESS TOURNAMENT WILL BECOME TRADITIONAL

In spite of all the efforts of Azerbaijan to hinder the organization
tournament, on March 8 the International Chess Tournament started in
Stepanakert devoted to the 75th anniversary of the 9th champion of the
world Tigran Petrossian. Ten grand masters from Switzerland, Poland,
Latvia, Russia, Iran and Armenia participated in the tournament. From
March 8 to 17 Artsakh was in the center of attention of the
chess-players of the world. Not only those present but also the
visitors of the web site, whose number was over 30 thousand, could
witness the events of the tournament. March 17 was the day of the
ceremony of official closing of the tournament with the participation
of NKR prime minister Anoushavan Danielian, members of the government,
participants of the tournament. During the ceremony the guests watched
a film about the tournament. The guests and participants were
presented with souvenirs. The medal “Gratitu! de” was conferred on the
tenth champion of the world Boris Spassky for his contribution to
development of chess in Artsakh. The first referee of the tournament
Anatoly Bikhovsky announced the names of the winners. The winner of
the international chess tournament in Stepanakert became Karen Asrian
with 6 points of the 9. The second place was taken by the
representative of Poland Bartolamei Manea with 5.5 points, and Gabriel
Sarghissian took the third place. During the closing ceremony NKR
prime minister Anoushavan Danielian thanked in the name of the NKR
president, the National Assembly and the government all those people
who contributed to organizing and holding the tournament. He
especially thanked Boris Spassky, the tenth chess champion of the
world. The prime minister announced that the tournament will become
traditional and the participants and guests of the tournament will be
invited to take part in the next tournament. The tenth champion ! of
the world addressed the participants of the tournament who ! witnessed
interesting games during 9 days and expressed regret for one of the
participants who had to stop his participation in the last round for
certain political reasons. “It seems to me that this tournament became
a kind of political “shooting gallery”. I am not an expert in this
field and cannot state who is right and who is wrong. I did my duties
concerning chess. I don’t know whether I managed to be useful but next
time if I come to Karabakh we will not meet similar difficulties and
the tournament will go on in a calmer and more favourable situation,”
said Boris Spassky. Swiss champion Yanik Peletier who won the sympathy
of the audience, confessed that he arrived in Artsakh as a chess-player
and not as someone who is interested in politics. At the end of the
ceremony grand master Karen Asrian answered our questions. The young
chess-player mentioned that this is his third victory. “I often visit
Karabakh because my fathe! r was born here and we have many
relatives. I am glad that this time I arrived as a chess-player and
succeeded. I will say that the tournament was held on a high level due
to the NKR authorities and the leadership of the Armenian academy
“Chess” whom I thank,” added Karen Asrian. Stepanakert parted with the
participants of the tournament with the anticipation of meeting again
next year.

ANAHIT DANIELIAN

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
March 25 2004

Safarov case continues

The investigation into the criminal case of Senior Lieutenant Ramil
Safarov, an officer of the Azerbaijani Army, who is accused of
murdering his Armenian counterpart during NATO training courses in
Budapest, Hungary, is nearing completion.

Safarov killed the Armenian officer on February 19, 2004 after being
insulted by him. At a meeting with Zahid Oruj, a member of the
Coordination Council of the Committee for Protection of Ramil
Safarov’s Rights, Peter Zalay, Safarov’s advocate, said that the
results of the initial investigation would be known after March 21.

Zahid Oruj presented the advocate with all the necessary
documentation, a book outlining the Garabagh developments published
in English and newspaper cuttings featuring public opinion towards
the Azerbaijani officer. The Coordination Council’s working group
told AssA-Irada that Safarov’s health and psychological condition
were good and that no undue pressure had been exerted on him.

AzerNe4ws, Azerbaijan
March 25 2004

EU sets S Caucasus in its sights

The European Union (EU) plans to extend its borders as far as the
South Caucasus, Heike Talvitie, the EU special envoy on South
Caucasus, told a Friday meeting held at the permanent parliamentary
commission on human rights.

Talvitie said that the EU was interested not only in the settlement
of the conflicts in the South Caucasus, but also in establishing an
alliance with regional countries. He noted that a special project was
being developed to admit Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia to the EU.
The dates and conditions for admission of the three countries will be
made after the project is developed.

Underlining that he is leaving Baku for Yerevan, the EU special envoy
stressed that he would do his utmost to settle the Upper Garabagh
conflict and take advantage of all the opportunities to bring peace
between the conflicting sides.

Providence Journal , RI
March 26 2004

Icon of Cranston political circuit, sub shop owner Pashalian dies

The back room of his humble sandwich shop became a political hub
where regulars hashed out different issues everyday and state leaders
stopped to speak.

BY BARBARA POLICHETTI
Journal Staff Writer

CRANSTON — Over the past 45 years, Joe Pashalian made the most of
the large front windows of his Gansett Avenue sandwich shop, using
them to post signs that not only touted menu favorites like the
“sensational steak sandwich,” but also provoked public comments with
questions such as, “When is a contribution not a bribe?”

Pashalian, owner of the Boston Submarine Sandwich Shop, which for
decades has been affectionately known in political circles as “The
Back Room,” died yesterday at Cedar Crest Nursing Centre at the age
of 92.

With Pashalian presiding over both the ovens and the daily
discussions, the back room of the humble shop became a political hub
where regulars hashed out different issues daily and state leaders
periodically stopped to speak.

The list of guest speakers included Sen. Claiborne Pell, Gov. Bruce
Sundlun, Sen. Jack Reed, business leader John Hazen White, former
vice presidential hopeful Geraldine Ferraro, and Dr. Stanley M.
Aronson, dean of medicine emeritus at Brown University.

The shop, which was also known for the hearty wheat bread and sizable
sandwiches Pashalian served up, was practically a mandatory stop on
the campaign trail for candidates vying for city or statewide office.

“We came to recognize the place as a wonderful place for political
forums,” Anna Minicucci said yesterday, recalling the 15 years she
and her husband, David, spent frequenting the sub shop. “As word got
around, all the television stations and newspapers would show up,
too, and the place would be packed.”

In the 1990s, Minicucci assumed the unofficial role of event
organizer and said that every famous visitor left with a hefty loaf
of Pashalian’s whole-grain bread. “He baked these huge, huge loaves
of wheat bread,” she said, “and before he’d give them to people, he’d
say, ‘Well, you know, we don’t give dough, but we do give bread.’ ”

Both Minicucci and Aram Garabedian, former legislator and Cranston
mayoral candidate, said that the politics and guest speakers may have
gotten the spotlight, but the real attraction at the Boston Sub Shop
was Pashalian himself.

“He was always bright and always funny and he simply loved words,”
Garabedian said yesterday remembering the variety of dictionaries
that Pashalian kept handy in the back room. “He was a man of words —
he loved to throw out a word and see if you knew the meaning.”

Pashalian’s love of words was evident not only in the ever-present
dictionaries, but in the hand-lettered signs that he plastered his
front windows with and hung from the light fixtures of the back room.
And he always kept a miniature copy of Rodin’s statue The Thinker in
the center of the back room table.

Always kindhearted, Pashalian nonetheless loved to play devil’s
advocate and provoke debates at almost any cost. “He was a charmer,”
Minicucci said, “but he would deliberately take the opposite view to
keep discussions going. Then, when everybody was yelling at him, he’d
yell back, ‘What do I know, I’m just a baker.’ ”

Pashalian was much, much more than just a baker, Garabedian said,
noting that the proud businessman had once studied to be a lawyer.

He served as an ensign in the Coast Guard after graduating from its
academy at Fort Trumbull in Connecticut, graduated from Providence
College, and attended Boston University Law School.

Garabedian, who has been a regular at the shop since the 1960s, said
that it was shortly after his own bid for Cranston School Committee
that he dubbed the shop “the back room” and the name stuck.

Eventually The Back Room drew national media attention in newspaper
and magazine articles, Garabedian said. And while Pashalian enjoyed
the limelight and the visitors, his loyalty was always to his
longtime friends.

Garabedian said he remembers the day that a reporter for a national
newspaper called during lunch hour hoping to interview Pashalian.
“Joe got on the phone and said, ‘I’m too busy waiting on customers,’
” Garabedian said.

“Even though he was operating this little innocuous sandwich shop, he
managed to get attention from all over,” he said.

The small brick-fronted shop, located across the street from Hugh B.
Bain Middle School, may have looked modest, Garabedian said, but the
food was as impressive as the list of guest speakers. Everything
Pashalian made — from sandwiches to hermit cookies — was good,
Garabedian said. Pashalian was known especially for the thin Armenian
cracker bread that reflected both his baking skill and his pride in
his heritage.

In 2000, Mayor John O’Leary honored Pashalian by making him the
recipient of one of Cranston’s “Outstanding Seniors” awards.

Garabedian said that Pashalian had started to falter physically
recently, but he still showed up at the sub shop everyday. Family
members said that the shop will continue to operate under longtime
friend Mike Vittulo.

Yesterday, Pashalian’s big signs were still up in the front windows
— one promising pizza and broccoli pies and another declaring that
“No university ever gave a degree in common sense.”

One small new sign was taped to the door. It notified customers that
the shop will be closed tomorrow for Pashalian’s funeral.

“Joe is the type of guy who wouldn’t want the shop closed too long,”
Garabedian said. “He was still working in the back room when I left
for Florida a couple of weeks ago, and I expected to see him there
when I came back.”

Both Garabedian and Minicucci noted that Pashalian never declared any
party affiliation despite the parade of politicos who dined and
campaigned at his shop.

“I really think that he hated politics, but loved the politicians,”
Minicucci said. “I think that deep down, he just loved people.”

Pashalian, who lived on Bretton Woods Drive, was the husband of Alice
R. (White) Pashalian. They were married for 68 years.

Joseph Pashalian was born in Providence, a son of the late Charles
and Paris (Tashjian) Pashalian. He owned Pashalian’s Market in
Providence before opening the sandwich shop 45 years ago.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters: Joyce C. Pashalian
of Providence and Joan A. Morrison of Jamestown. He was the brother
of the late George and Anna Pashalian, Irene Juskalian, Rose
Meldonian and Zarie Dionne.

The funeral will be held tomorrow at 8:45 a.m. from the Nardolillo
Funeral Home, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston, with a service at 10 a.m. in
Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 70 Jefferson St.,
Providence.

Burial will be in North Burial Ground Cemetery, Providence.

Italian envoy, Armenian speaker discuss upcoming visit

Noyan Tapan news agency
23 Mar 04

YEREVAN

During a meeting on 23 March, the Italian ambassador to Armenia, Marco
Clemente, discussed with Artur Bagdasaryan, chairman of the Armenian
National Assembly, his upcoming official visit to Italy.

Clemente said that Italy had a lot of interest in the visit and
preparatory work was under way. By the proposal of Pier Ferdinando
Casini, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, a deputy group for
Italian-Armenian friendship is being set up in the chamber. Meetings
are scheduled with Italian officials to discuss political, cultural,
scientific and economic ties.

Armenian leader, new Danish envoy discuss developing ties

Noyan Tapan news agency
23 Mar 04

YEREVAN

The Danish ambassador to Armenia, Christian Faber-rod, submitted his
credentials to Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today.

This is the second time that Faber-rod has been appointed ambassador
to Armenia. His first tenure was in 1992-1996. Hence, there are
grounds for making a comparison, Kocharyan said.

Viewing Europe as a priority in Armenia’s foreign policy, Kocharyan
noted in this context the significance of developing both bilateral
and multilateral relations with Denmark. The level of bilateral
cooperation is still low and a lot needs to be done, he
said. Encouraging economic partnership is the foremost task, the sides
said and noted the intensification of ties between the business
circles of the two countries.

There was also an exchange of views on pressing international issues,
the Armenian president’s press service told Noyan Tapan news agency.

M2 PRESSWIRE
March 23, 2004

US DEPT OF STATE
Deputy Secretary Richard L. Armitage to travel to Caucasus and
Ukraine – Press Statement – Richard Boucher

Deputy Secretary Richard L. Armitage will travel to Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Ukraine this week. He will depart Washington March 24
and return March 27.

Deputy Secretary Armitage will travel first to Kiev, Ukraine and then
continue on to Yerevan, Armenia and Baku, Azerbaijan.

During this trip, he will meet with senior host government officials,
as well as with other political leaders and groups that promote
democracy and civil society.

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information
provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties.
Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at
on the world wide web. Inquiries to
[email protected])).

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
March 23, 2004 Tuesday

EU Representative for South Caucasus comes to Armenia

By Tigran Liloyan

YEREVAN

EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie will
discuss Armenia’s European integration and political dialog with the
European Union during a three-day working visit to Yerevan, which
began on Tuesday.

Talvitie has met with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan to
discuss prospects for the South Caucasian affiliation to the EU
program “Enlarging Europe: New Neighbors.” The minister thinks that
the European context will be useful in settling regional conflicts.

The Karabakh settlement was a separate item on the agenda.

Talvitie will also meet with the Armenian president and other
officials.

Armenia says Azerbaijan acknowledges existence of Paris, Key West Karabakh
deal

Arminfo
22 Mar 04

YEREVAN

“We are glad that Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Vilayat Quliyev has at
last admitted the existence of a document, albeit not signed, on
agreements reached in Key-West and Paris [on Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict],” Gamlet Gasparyan, spokesman for the Armenian Foreign
Ministry, has said. He was asked by journalists to comment on
Quliyev’s statement that his Armenian counterpart, Vardan Oskanyan,
should produce a document on the Key-West and Paris agreements.
Quliyev said that “there is nothing to discuss since no agreements
have been signed”.

“We have repeatedly stated that such a document exists, and that it
has been drafted by the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group on
resolving the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, on the basis of talks
between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Therefore, we
consider this episode – on whether the document exists or not – to be
over.

“As for Quliyev’s remarks that there was nothing to discuss since no
agreements had been signed, I have to say that had it been signed, the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict would be settled by now. Nevertheless,
since Azerbaijan acknowledges the fact that there were some
agreements, we hope that the talks will continue in the future from
where they left.”

CENN – MARCH 17, 2004 REGIONAL DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. Announcements
1.1. Information-Theoretic Methods in Data Analysis
1.2. Invitation to Participate in the Web Discussion
1.3. The Russian Translation of the “NGO Strategy Conference: Making Our
Environment Work for Children’s Health”

2. Georgia
2.1. Georgians Demand Action to Save Their Homes from Oil Pipeline

3. Azerbaijan
3.1. Kazakhstan will Transport Gas Through Azerbaijan
3.2. Azerbaijan Expects Baku-Erzerum Gas Pipeline to Open in 2006
3.3. Baku Hopes for Rapid Adoption of Caspian Convention
3.4. Azerbaijan Participates in Berlin International Tourist Exhibition

4. Armenia
4.1. Armenia Looks for Alternative Energy Sources
4.2. EU Offers Armenia 100 Million Euros To Shut Down Nuclear Plant
4.3. Living in Yerevan Becomes Hazardous, NGO Says

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
1.1. INFORMATION-THEORETIC METHODS IN DATA ANALYSIS
A 2-day Short course, May 26-27, 2004
Offered by Dr. David R. Anderson

This short course introduces a variety of general methods for data
analysis based on Kullback-Leibler Information. The sessions focus on
science hypotheses, models, and model selection methods such as AIC and
AICc.

After introducing important background material, methods are provided to
make formal statistical inference from more than a single model
(multimodel inference). The material is not deeply mathematical; the
emphasis is on science concepts and philosophy and a variety of examples
are provided.

The short course is based on the recent book, Burnham, K. P., and D. R.
Anderson. 2002 Model selection and multimodel inference. 2nd Ed.,
Springer-Verlag, New York, NY 488pp. The short course will be held in
Fort Collins, Colorado.

Additional details and registration form are provided at:

1.2. INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WEB DISCUSSION
Dear Colleagues,

On March 18, 2004 from 18:00 to 20:00 Society `For Sustainable
Development’ with the technical support of the IREX Azerbaijan Branch
will hold electronic forum on `Education for Sustainable Development’
dedicated to the UN decade devoted to the Education for Sustainable
Development.

Forum will be held on the following address: http:

We invite you to participate in this web discussion

1.3. THE RUSSIAN TRANSLATION OF THE “NGO STRATEGY CONFERENCE: MAKING OUR
ENVIRONMENT WORK FOR CHILDREN’S HEALTH”
Dear Colleagues,

The Russian translation of the documents of “NGO strategy conference:
making our environment work for children’s health” (Brussels, December
2003, organized by European Public Health Alliance and European
ECO-Forum) is availble at

Click in the very bottom of this page at: “NGO Brussels Statement in
Russian” and “Final NGO Strategy Conference Report in Russian”.

Women in Europe for a Common Future
WECF
Email: [email protected]
Website:

German office:
Tel: +49-89-20232390 Fax: +49-89-20232391
Blumenstrasse 28, D – 80331 Munich
Germany

Dutch office:
Tel: +31-30-2310300 Fax: -2340878
Regulierenring 9, NL – 3981 LA Bunnik
The Netherlands

2. GEORGIA
2.1. GEORGIANS DEMAND ACTION TO SAVE THEIR HOMES FROM OIL PIPELINE

Official complaint to IFC reveals BTC negligence

Tbilisi, Georgia, March 16, 2004 — Residents of Rustavi, Georgia’s
third city, have today submitted an official complaint to the
International Finance Corporation (IFC) concerning the potentially
disastrous construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline
only 250 meters from a settlement of high-rise buildings.

[1] The residents are taking this step following a prolonged period of
uncertainty for them and their homes, a lack of information and response
from officials in Georgia and violent intimidation from the regional
police force.

In November 2003, the IFC, the World Bank’s private lending arm, agreed
to provide a USD 250 million loan to the controversial BP-led BTC
project. The residents’ complaint alleges that World Bank Group policies
and procedures have not been complied with on four counts. [2]

In January this year, people in Rustavi learned for the first time
exactly how close the pipeline would come to their homes when heavy
construction equipment and pipeline workers arrived without warning.
There was no mention of such proximity (180-250 meters) in the available
project documentation and maps. The BTC Company (BTC Co) indicates in
its project literature that there should be a 500-meter `security zone’
around the pipeline. It turns out that the pipeline will run along the
nearby Mtkvari river bank, a high level erosion zone, with potentially
destructive impacts on the most affected homes and the 700 families
living there.

Since learning of their plight, the Rustavi residents have sent letters
to and attempted to engage in dialogue with all the relevant parties –
the mayor of Rustavi, local representatives from BTC Co. and the IFC –
and have also taken their case to the Georgian parliament. Their appeals
have been either ignored or dismissed on the grounds that the pipeline
will comply with the highest western standards.

Merab Vacheishvili, one of the residents named in the complaint, said,
`We are told to shut up, stop wasting the company’s time and trust the
high standards of the project promoters. Yet local people have been kept
completely in the dark about this pipeline. How can we start trusting
now?’

Frustrated by officialdom, last month 400 residents took part in a
demonstration that interrupted the pipeline construction for one hour.
The demonstration, consisting mainly of women and children, was
violently broken up by the police. A police representative declared that
the orders had come directly from the government.

Eleonora Digmelashvili, another resident, commented, “We have applied to
the IFC Ombudsman as a last resort. There needs to be an independent
expert analysis of BTC impacts on our homes as well as strong guarantees
for our and our children’s security. If there are no such guarantees
then the pipeline route must be changed or we should be resettled.”

Contacts:

Merabi Vacheishvili
Tel: + 995 24 17 34 58
E-mail: [email protected]

Eleonora Digmelashvili
Tel: + 995 93 91 77 05
E-mail: [email protected]

Notes for editors:

1) The official complaint to the IFC’s Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman is
available here:

2) The four World Bank Group policies and procedures cited in the
official complaint are:

o Procedures for public disclosure
o IFC Operational Policy 4.01 on environmental assessment
o World Bank Operational Policy 4.30 on involuntary resettlement
o Procedures for preparation of Resettlement Action Plan

Background information on the BTC project is available from the
Bankwatch website:

Greig Aitken
Media coordinator
CEE Bankwatch Network
Bratislavska 31
602 00 Brno
Czech Republic
Tel: +420-545 214 431, ext 19

3. AZERBAIJAN
3.1. KAZAKHSTAN WILL TRANSPORT GAS THROUGH AZERBAIJAN

Kazakhstan will export certain part of its gas through Azerbaijan, said
president Ilham Aliyev at a meeting yesterday, according to Turan News
Agency.

A gas transporting agreement between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan was
reached during Aliyev’s Kazakhstan visit on March 1-2. The gas
transporting will be done via Baku-Tbilisi-Arzurum gas pipeline.

Kazakhstan produces 80 billion cubic meters of gas a year.

Kazakhstan may transport its oil with Azeri oil pipeline as well. An
agreement for an oil transfer is expected to be signed during a senior
Kazakh officials’ visit to Azerbaijan soon. According to initial talks
by the governments of the two countries Kazakh oil will be brought to
Azerbaijan with tankers. An off-shore pipeline might be built in case
the volume of oil delivery exceeds 20 million tons, according to
officials of Azerbaijan.
Baku Today, March 12, 2004

3.2. AZERBAIJAN EXPECTS BAKU-ERZERUM GAS PIPELINE TO OPEN IN 2006

Construction of the Baku-Erzerum gas pipeline will be completed by the
end of 2006, Azerbaijan President Ilkham Aliyev declared Friday at a
leadership meeting of Azerbaijan’s ruling party, Eni Azerbaijan,
Rosbalt. learned at the party press office.

The president said the line would make possible movement of Ajeri gas to
Turkey and then to Europe. Aliyev also said the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
export oil pipeline would be in operation by the end of 2004. He said
additional countries were now seeking to be linked to the pipeline, the
press office said.

According to expert figures, Azerbaijan will be producing approximately
50 billion cubic meters of natural gas from its sector of the Caspian
Sea by early 2007. The republic itself will need about 20% of this
amount.
Rosbalt, March 15, 2004

3.3. BAKU HOPES FOR RAPID ADOPTION OF CASPIAN CONVENTION

Baku is seeking the soonest adoption of a convention on the legal status
of the Caspian Sea, said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Vilayat Quliyev.

“We think that all of the convention’s provisions must be based on
international law and the states’ interests. We believe this will help
us come to an agreement,” Quliyev said at the opening of a Tuesday
session of the special working group responsible for determining the
Caspian’s status.

The Azerbaijan foreign minister said that his country, Russia, and
Kazakhstan have signed bilateral agreements, which provide a foundation
for reaching an agreement on the convention. “We hope that Iran and
Turkmenistan will join our position,” he said.

“Azerbaijan is opposed to militarizing the Caspian Sea and supports the
idea of turning it into a sea of friendship,” Quliyev said. He added
that improving regional security will contribute to resolving the status
issue.
Rosbalt, March 16, 2004

3.4. AZERBAIJAN PARTICIPATES IN BERLIN INTERNATIONAL TOURIST EXHIBITION

The `International Tourist Exhibition 2004 arranged by the World Tourist
Organization with the assistance of the German Ministry of Economy and
Labor and the International Exhibition Center’ gathered over 10 thousand
travel agencies from 178 countries in Berlin.

Each country has its separate exhibition section in the Berlin
international Exhibition Center covering 170 hectares area. The
Azerbaijan’s exposition assembled under the supervision of the Ministry
of Youth, Sports and Hotel `Grand Europa’ at the 50 square meters hall
¹5 and greets the visitors with the words Welcome to Azerbaijan’ on
entrance. The exposition includes models and pictures of Azerbaijan’s
ancient cultural monuments, as well as modern Hotel complexes combined
Western and Eastern architecture, photos of picturesque surroundings of
the country, samples of national clothes, carpets etc. The visitors show
interest in maps reflecting tourist opportunities, Great Silk Road,
related booklets and brochures and other promotional materials.

Head of the Azerbaijan delegation, Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism
Abulfaz Garayev addressing the opening ceremony updated local a foreign
journalists on outlooks of tourism development in the country.

Heads of delegations participating in the exhibition highly praised the
exposition of Azerbaijan and stated they intended to sign cooperation
agreements with Azerbaijan on tourists exchange.
AzerTag, March 15, 2004

3.5. KEEPING BTC TRANSPARENT

The Open Society Institute of Azerbaijan intends to launch a new grant
program for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to monitor the
construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.
CBN, March 17, 2004

4. ARMENIA
4.1. ARMENIA LOOKS FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

According to t he information of Vardan Khachatryan, the Minister of
Finance and Economy of Armenia, the construction of a gas pipeline
between Iran and Armenia may begin in 2004 and will take from one to two
years. Gas pipeline will become an alternative source of energy
resources for Armenia in line with the program of shutting down the
Armenian Nuclear Power Plant [NPP]. Some 1bn dollars are to be found in
order to replace the NPP’s capacity, he said. At present, only the
European Union has stated its readiness to allocate to this ends 100m
euros that will be transferred to a specially designated fund. On top of
that the EU will facilitate its search for international investors,
Khachatryan said. He did not rule out Russia’s participation in the
construction of the pipeline. The acting Russian deputy prime minister,
Boris Aleshin, stated Russia ‘s interest in that during his recent visit
to Yerevan. Khachatryan said that work is under way to build in Armenia
wind power and hydropower stations as substitutes for the NPP. It is
also planned to upgrade the Yerevan thermal power station with the
140m-dollar credit from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation. The
minister said that there is a strategic program to develop the Armenian
energy sector by 2020 and the program envisages a series of measures
aimed at shutting down the NPP.
Arminfo, March 15, 2004

4.2. EU OFFERS ARMENIA 100 MILLION EUROS TO SHUT DOWN NUCLEAR PLANT

The European Union renewed pleas to Armenia Monday to close a nuclear
power station in an earthquake-prone zone, saying it would provide 100
million euros (122 million dollars) in compensatory aid. The
Soviet-built Metzamor plant, 30 kilometers (18 miles) west of the
Armenian capital Yerevan, supplies 40 percent of the energy in the
former Soviet republic. It was commissioned in 1980 but closed
temporarily because of an earthquake in 1988. “Safety is very important
to us,” said Torben Holtze, head of the European Commission delegation
here. “The EU will give Armenia 100 million euros to create alternative
energy production when Armenia sets a date for the closure of the power
plant,” he told journalists.

But Armenian Finance Minister Vardan Khachatrian said his country would
need a billion dollars to compensate for losses if the nuclear plant
closes.

The question of closure was “a very painful question for us,” he said.
“We will not close the plant until we have alternative energy sources.”
He said construction of a gas pipeline between Iran and Armenia set to
begin this year would speed moves towards alternative energy.

The nuclear plant was closed down temporarily in 1988 because of an
earthquake at Spitak, but resumed operating in 1995 in order to help
stave off a national energy crisis.

The EU signed an accord with Armenia on closing the plant this year but
Armenia has failed to meet this deadline.

Officials here say the plant is capable of operating until 2018.

Gaguik Markossian, the plant’s director, said in December that
international credits and aid had allowed Armenia to make many safety
improvements at the plant, which includes two 440-megawatt reactors,
only one of which is in operation.

With electricity supplies reduced to three or four hours a day and
industry in crisis, one of the reactors was restarted in 1995. Since
then about 35 million dollars (28 million euros) have been spent on
various safety improvements.

The Institute for Applied Ecology in Austria says the Armenian plant,
along with similar units in Bulgaria, is among the most dangerous in
Europe.
AFP, March 15, 2004

4.3. LIVING IN YEREVAN BECOMES HAZARDOUS, NGO SAYS

On March 16, 2004 a coalition of 28 nature protection non-governmental
organizations, united in Yerevan Ecological Alliance, warned that living
in Armenia’s capital is becoming gradually hazardous, following mass
logging of trees in public parks and building the vacated areas with
cafes and other entertaining facilities.

Sona Ayvazian, one of the seven members of the Alliance’s board stated:
“We have neither forests, nor parks, the only green area in the capital
is the Botanic garden in which many species are drying up.” She called
on mass medias and public at large to raise their protesting voice
against the ongoing destruction of green areas. According to another
speaker, in early nineties trees were cut by people to warm their houses
due to the lack of other fuel, today forests are destroyed to make
money.
Armenpress, March 16, 2004

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