-=NEWS=- 12-14-01

[MosJan]

UNRECOGNIZED STATES AUTHORITIES REPRESENTATIVES MET IN MOSCOW

14.12.2001

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A conference organized by Russian Institute for CIS countries entitled "Conflict zones in the Post-Soviet territory and unrecognized states" was held in Moscow. Representatives of Nagorno Artsax Republic, Abkhazia and Pridnestrovye authorities took part in the conference. The official Stepanakert was represented at the forum by Georgy Petrosian, Advisor of the country President. Appearing at the conference director of the Institute for CIS countries Konstantin Zatulin stated "the officials of Moldova, Georgia and Azerbaijan should refrain from assaulting intonation addressed to Nagorno Artsax, Abkhazia and Pridnestrovye." In his words, "Baku, Tbilisi and Kishinev should stop speaking the language of force to that republics."

 

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[MosJan]

PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN TO VISIT RUSSIA, JAPAN AND IRAN BEFORE THE YEAR END

14.12.2001

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The President of Armenia will leave for Moscow on an official visit Monday. Robert Kocharian will hold negotiations with President Vladimir Putin, in particular the presidents will discuss the question of passing part of shares of Armenian industrial enterprises to Russia to pay back the state debt. The presidents will also concern the Artsax conflict settlement process in their discussion. Robert Kocharian will leave the Russian capital for Tokyo, where he will meet with Emperor Akikhito and will hold negotiations with Japanese Prime Minister Dzyunitiro Koidzumi. The Armenian President will leave Japan for Iran December 25. Robert Kocharian will return to the homeland three days before the New Year begins.

 

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[MosJan]

PRESIDENT KEPT HIS WORD TO CREATE FORTY THOUSAND WORKPLACES

14.12.2001

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The amount of new workplaces created in Armenia in the course of the year totaled 44048. As reported by "Arka" agency, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Armenia Karen Chshmaritian stated it at a press conference today. In his words, the deviations may make 5%, which is considered to be normal in the international practice. As the Minister noted, the number of workplaces in the newly created economic organizations in the course of the nine months of the current year makes 10005 and the number of the additionally opened in the already operating enterprises is 27648. At the same time according to Chshmaritian's estimates, in November-December 2000 at least 2000 workplaces were created solely at large enterprises like "Masis-Tobacco", "Luys", "Gloriya". In Chshmaritian's words, people engaged in social security programs and seasonal workers employed in international programs (5250) were not taken into account. Neither some 15 thousand persons, who were involved in population census in Armenia, were taken into consideration. As Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated at a press conference today, an administrative monitoring of the created workplaces was hold in the country for the first time. The President emphasized the importance and the large scale of the work, noting, "we will hold it annually now." Let us remind that creation of forty thousand workplaces in 2001 was one of President Robert Kocharian's promises.

 

 

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[MosJan]

AZERBAIJAN CITIZENS MAY CELEBRATE NEW YEAR IN CANDLELIGHT

14.12.2001

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to the reports in Baku newspapers, the Azerbaijani capital will suffer from electricity fan cut-off this winter, too. In this regard some mass media predict a situation, in which the country citizens will have to celebrate New Year in candlelight. Having created the myth about inexhaustible reserves of hydrocarbon raw in the country bowels, Azerbaijan actually can not fulfill its own needs for energy resources. In spite of the continuing supplies of electric energy from Iran and the recently signed contract with RAO "EES" Russian company to import three billion kW/h electric energy specialists recognize that they will not be able to manage to implement the passed last year decree of the President "On the measures on improving provision of population and economy with energy resources." At present the actual power capacity of the energy system of Azerbaijan makes about three thousand megawatt, while the real need for electric energy is nearly four thousand. Based on this "Azerenerzhi" enterprise has developed a schedule of limited electric energy supply to all consumers of the Republic.

 

 

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[MosJan]

OFFICIAL YEREVAN WAS READY TO ARMENIAN-TURKISH COMMISSION SPLIT

14.12.2001

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Press Secretary Vahe Gabriyelian stated the split of Armenian-Turkish Reconciliation Commission was predictable. He stressed in official Yerevan opinion, the dialogue between Armenia and Turkey should take place at the state level. At the same time Gabriyelian noted Armenian authorities never hampered contacts between Armenian and Turkish public structures, on the contrary – welcomed such intercourse.

 

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[MosJan]

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO SIGN A NUMBER OF INTERSTATE AGREEMENTS IN TEHERAN

14.12.2001

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian delegation headed by President Robert Kocharian will visit Iran on a state visit December 25. Robert Kocharian will hold meetings with Iranian President Mohammad Hattami, Foreign Minister Kamal Harazi, Secretary of National Security Council Hasan Rogani and the leadership of the Armenian community. The item of the prospects of construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is among the questions to be discussed in Teheran. As it is known, the construction works are already planned to start next year. Robert Kocharian will visit the mausoleum of ayatolli Homeyni, the residence of the head of the Iranian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. A joint communiqué will be passed on the visit results. Signing of a number of documents is also planned. Agreement on cooperation in the spheres of cultural exchange, cultural and historical monument protection, nature conservancy, standardization and metrology, as well as seismic protection are reached.

 

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[MosJan]

COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION OF VOROTAN TUNNEL TO SUPPLY WATER TO LAKE SEVAN PLANNED NEXT YEAR

14.12.2001

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Parliament passed the program of recovery, reproduction and rational use of lake Sevan ecosystem. Completion of construction of the tunnel that will assist replenishment of the lake at the expense of Vorotan river water makes an important part of the series of measures within the project. Let us remind the level of water in Sevan has lowered 22 meters since beginning of the thirties. The budget of Armenia will direct 2.6 million dollars to finish the construction of Vorotan tunnel already begun early in 80-s. The program project also provides for financing the works to expand fish resources. Some species of Sevan fauna are under the threat of complete extinction.

 

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[MosJan]

"REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS" RIGHT PROTECTING ORGANIZATION DEMANDED "STOPPING AGGRESSION AGAINST THE PRESS" OF ALIYEV

14.12.2001

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Reporters Without Limits" international right protecting organization has come out with a statement, in which it censured the yesterday's police attack on the picket, made by Azeri journalists in protest against oppression of the press. The statement is addressed to country President Heydar Aliyev personally. "In spite of your assurance that you are the guarantor of existence and activity of free mass media, Azerbaijan authorities continue threatening and persecuting the press, which contradicts to the international obligations. We demand the aggression against the press be stopped immediately," – the document says. Meanwhile the mass hunger strike of journalists under "Stop pressure on the free press" slogan continues. Correspondent of "525-th Newspaper" Elbai Hasanli has already been on hunger strike seven days. Correspondent of "Eni Musavat" Mahir Mamedov has stopped his hunger strike due to worsening of health.

 

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[MosJan]

NATO COURTS ARMENIA

An article by the director of the Armenian Mediamax news agency Ara Tadevosian, posted on IWPR on-line page, says that arrival of US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld in Armenia December 15 later this week will seal a new initiative designed to increase military cooperation between the two countries.

 

 

The newly appointed US ambassador to Armenia, John Ordway, had earlier caused a stir in Yerevan when he called for closer military ties. Ordway was paving the way for the latest move in Armenia's new" complementary policy" - a means of accommodating both Russia and the US. Yerevan believes that this is necessary for enhanced stability in the region. Armenian foreign minister, Vardan Oskanian, said he believed that bringing the US and Russia closer together would help ease tensions in the south Caucasus by allowing the two sides to act as partners rather than rivals.

 

 

It seems likely that the process of building stronger military ties with the US - already suggested by President Robert Kocharian back in March – was accelerated by the events of September 11 and the consequent US-led "war on terrorism". Since Russian and US relations improved as a result, Yerevan saw no contradiction in cosying up to Washington.

 

 

US military attaché Lieutenant-Colonel Eric von Tersch said on December 4 that Washington was poised to extend the country's cooperation within NATO's Partnership for Peace Program. This will include having Armenia host the alliance's regional military exercises in 2003.

 

 

Teaming up with the US will bring Armenia more in line with Georgia and Azerbaijan who are already pushing for greater integration into Western military structures. Being in the same military club could possibly provide the incentive to settle ongoing regional disputes between them.

 

 

Washington has doubtless chosen this moment to boost its influence in the south Caucasus as a result of its improving relations with Russia. At the same time, the US has been careful to reassure Russia that its presence in the region will not compromise its old cold war enemy.

 

 

© Copyright AZG

[MosJan]

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY NEEDS CHEAP GAS

Armenian trade and industry minister Karen Chshmaritian gave some information about the industry, particularly the chemistry sector at yesterday’s, December 13, government session.

 

 

Talking about the agreement with Ukrainian ‘Intercontact’ company on purchasing the shares of Armenian ‘Nairit-1’ chemical plant, he noted that it was not concluded during the recent visit of the Ukrainian company’s authorities to Armenia, because the Ukrainians still have to present a business program, and the Armenian government must approve it.

 

 

The Ukrainian partners find that cheap natural gas should be imported to Armenia for making the work of ‘Nairit’ efficient. For the same reason- because of high prices of natural gas, Vanadzor’s ‘Prometheus-Chimprom’ plant doesn’t function. Its authorities, though, negotiate with the Russian side for getting cheap gas for the chemical complex. Mr. Chshmaritian also informs that there will be news about the fate of Armenian ‘Doghagorts’ tire factory soon.

 

 

The trade and industry minister also referred to the annual indices of the country’s external trade. According to him the growth in export will reach 12%, whereas very little growth will be registered in the import, thanks to which the negative balance of the trade will decrease.

 

 

By Ara Martirosian

 

© Copyright AZG