Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 8 2004
AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV MEETS WITH OSCE MINSK GROUP FRENCH
CO-CHAIR
[September 08, 2004, 23:17:44]
President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev met in his residence in
Paris with French co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Henry Jacqueline,
September 8.
During the conversation, the President described his current visit to
France as very successful noting he had held fruitful negotiations
here. Touching on the development of cultural ties between the two
countries, the Head of State mentioned the exhibition opened on
September 8 at the French Senate had aroused Parisians’ keen interest.
The Azerbaijani leader highly valued the France’s efforts concerning
resolution of the regional conflicts, the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh one in particular.
Informing the President on the meeting in Paris with Foreign Minister
of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov, Mr. Henry Jacqueline pointed out
that France would continue to do its best for peaceful solution to
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In this connection, the necessity of
intensification of the OSCE Minsk group’s efforts in this direction
was stressed.
Present at the meeting was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan
Elmar Mammadyarov.
The working visit by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to France
continues.

Eremenko scores again as Finland beat Armenia 2-0
Reuters
Sept 8 2004
YEREVAN, Sept 8 (Reuters) – Alexei Eremenko scored his third
international goal in under a week as Finland beat Armenia 2-0 in a
World Cup Group One qualifier on Wednesday.
The victory lifts Finland into second place in the group on six points,
three behind leaders Romania who have a perfect record in the campaign
after hammering Andorra 5-1 earlier.
In an often choppy game with fouls stopping the flow of play, Finland
went ahead after 24 minutes when striker Mikael Forssell, surrounded
by defenders, found the back of the net from the edge of the box.
Finland made it 2-0 in the 67th minute when Eremenko was put through
just over the halfway line for a clear run on goal before slotting
the ball past Armenian keeper Armen Ambartzumyan.
The 21-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best new talents of
Finnish football, scored twice in Finland’s comfortable 3-0 win over
Andorra on Saturday.
He has scored in all three of Finland’s qualifiers so far and has
now got six goals in his 10 internationals.
There was little for the Armenians to take from the match, whose goal
tally is now 0-5 after two defeats in their opening two qualifiers.

FIFA World Cup qualifying matches continue
Sports Network
Sept 8 2004
Zurich, Switzerland (Sports Network) – FIFA World Cup qualifying
continued Wednesday with matches in the Asian, European, and North
and Central American and Caribbean groups.
Eight groups and a total of 22 matches were scheduled in Group 4 of
European play. France rebounded from a scoreless draw with Israel
over the weekend with a 2-0 win in the Faroe Islands. The new-look
Les Bleus squad overcame the expulsion of captain Patrick Vieira for
diving in the 50th minute while holding just a one-goal lead.
Ludovic Giuly gave France that advantage when he put home a rebound
of a shot by Robert Pires in the first half. Djibril Cisse, who helped
set up Pires for the shot on the first goal, later added an important
strike in the second half to give France some much-needed breathing
room. Anything but a victory would have raised a red flag on the new
Raymond Domenech era. Domenech took over for Jacques Santini following
France’s failure at Euro 2004 earlier this summer.
Results from other European matches were as follows: Romania
easily defeated Andorra, 5-1, for its third win in as many tries in
qualifying; Finland won at Armenia, 2-0; Ukraine outlasted Kazakhstan,
2-1; Georgia posted a 2-0 win at home over Albania; and Lithuania
easily beat San Marino, 4-0.
All the North and Central American and Caribbean matches are scheduled
for Wednesday night.
Asia’s qualifying was in full swing with eight groups and 16 matches
played. Iraq highlighted the action in the region when it continued
to build on the momentum gained from a fourth-place finish at the
Olympics. The Iraqis won handily at Taiwan, 4-1, to remain just
slightly behind Uzbekistan, a 3-0 winner over Palestine on Wednesday,
in the Group 2 standings.
Results from other Asian matches were as follows: Qatar crushed Laos,
6-1; Iran beat Jordan, 2-0; Oman recorded a 2-0 win over Singapore;
Japan put four goals on the board at India during a 4-0 victory;
Kuwait won at Hong Kong, 2-0; China managed a 1-0 triumph at Malaysia;
Bahrain edged Kyrgyzstan, 2-1; Syria squeezed past Tajikistan with a
2-1 win; North Korea posted a 4-1 victory at home over Thailand; Yemen
beat U.A.E., 3-1; the Korean Republic won at Vietnam, 2-1; Lebanon
exploded for five goals in a 5-2 rout of Maldives; Indonesia won 2-0
at Sri Lanka; and Saudi Arabia collected a 1-0 triumph at Turkmenistan.

philstar.com
Mark eyes place in chess history
The Philippine Star 09/08/2004
With his second grandmaster norm safely tucked under his belt,
International Master Mark Paragua now eyes a place in Philippine
chess history.
The 20-year-old Paragua beat IM Elina Danielian of Armenia in the
14th and penultimate round to seize the solo lead in the Alushta GM
Tournament in Ukraine.
He now has 10.5 points, half-a-point ahead of IMs Yuriy Kuzubov of
Ukraine and Roman Ovetchkin of Russia and at least two points clear
of his other pursuers.
Kuzubov, tied with the Filipino after 13 rounds, got stalled by a draw
by GM Ramil Hasangatin of Russia while Ovetchkin shocked top seed GM
Vladimir Malaniuk of Ukraine to stay in the hunt for the title and
a GM norm.
A victory would make Paragua the first Filipino player since the late
GM Rosendo Balinas Jr. to win a closed tournament in a former Soviet
Union republic. Balinas did the trick in the Odessa tournament in 1976,
earning him the GM title in the process.
“Malaking bonus na para sa akin kung ako ang magtsa-champion dito
(Alushta GMT). Ang talagang target ko lang sa pagsali sa ganitong
event eh ‘yung GM norm,” said Paragua.
When informed of the opportunity to accomplish a rare feat, Paragua
said it just made him more determined to win.
“Lalo akong na-motivate para manalo,” he said while admitting that
he’s not aware of that prospect before.
Paragua will face FIDE Master Evgeni Kobylkin of Ukraine, who is tied
at eighth to ninth places with 6.5 points, in the final round.
One thing going for Paragua is that his closest pursuers – Kuzubov
and Ovetchkin – are not expected to go all out in their last outing.
Kuzubov, who will meet Malaniuk, and Ovetchkin, who will go up against
Nino Khurtsidze of Georgia, tallied 10 points heading into the last
round, just .5 short of the required score to clinch a GM norm.

WASHINGTON TODAY: Program would help poor countries govern more effectively
By GEORGE GEDDA
The Charleston Gazette Online
AP-ES-09-08-04 0143EDT
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Colin Powell calls it the most
promising development in foreign assistance in decades.
That is quite a claim for a program that has yet to disburse its first
dollar. But it is clear that President Bush’s Millennium Challenge
Account, first proposed 21/2 years ago, represents a fresh approach
to helping countries overcome economic backwardness.
The fund’s premise is simple: If a poor country demonstrates a
commitment to govern justly, promotes economic freedom and invests
in its people, it may be entitled to U.S. dollars.
In other words, the Bush administration view is that little good
comes from pouring aid into a country that pursues bad policies.
Starting up a new program can be labor-intensive. Bush first proposed
the Millennium Challenge Account in March 2002. Only now are the
first outlays on the horizon.
Of 70 countries that meet administration eligibility requirements
based on need, 16 made the cut for receiving aid: Armenia, Benin,
Bolivia, Cape Verde, Georgia, Ghana, Honduras, Lesotho, Madagascar,
Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Senegal, Sri Lanka and the
Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu.
They will get to share in the $1 billion Congress has appropriated
for the first year, assuming that Washington approves the projects
they design.
All 16 are small and poor. Eight are African, where a half-century
of development assistance has done little to improve the underlying
problems of hunger, disease and poverty.
Africa also is the prime beneficiary of another major administration
foreign aid initiative: $15 billion proposed over five years to
combat HIV/AIDS.
To the extent that much of Africa still lives in misery, Jeffrey
Sachs, a development expert at Columbia University, says lack of
U.S. foresight is partly to blame.
“In recent years, America gave a negligible $4 million a year to
Ethiopia to boost agricultural productivity but then responded with
around $500 million in emergency food aid in 2003 when the crops
failed,” Sachs wrote recently.
Nancy Birdsall, president of the Center for Global Development,
believes the Millennium program could become a development
breakthrough.
“If implemented effectively, the resulting program could fundamentally
improve the quality and quantity of U.S. aid and become a model for
other donor countries,” she said.
Her colleague at the center, Steven Radelet, welcomes the initiative
but criticizes other aspects of Bush’s policies toward low-income
countries. By supporting huge subsidies for American farmers in 2002,
Bush “undercut the livelihood of poor farmers around the world,”
Radelet said.
Paul Applegarth, a veteran of the World Bank and Wall Street, runs the
government agency that administers the Millennium Challenge Account. He
says successful reform in poor countries will attract not only the
fund’s money but also foreign investors, which he describes as the
key to long-term prosperity.
Applegarth also says there has been a notable uptick in debate over
reform in some poor countries as they try to position themselves to
join recipients of the U.S. program.
But Rep. Donald Payne, D-N.J., a member of the House International
Relations Committee, says an advantage of the traditional approach to
aid is that the poorest countries were always assured of getting help.
“Qualifying for Millennium Challenge funds has nothing to do with
how bad problems are in your country,” Payne says. He worries that
desperately poor Haiti, as one example, never will be eligible for
the program.
Under Bush’s plan, the Challenge is a supplement to the traditional
assistance vehicle, the Agency for International Development, founded
in 1961. Its budget is about $10 billion annually.
If Congress goes along, Millennium Challenge Account funding will
rise from the current $1 billion for this year to $2.5 billion in
2005 and then go to $5 billion annually by 2006.
USAID will continue providing development assistance. The agency is
credited with carrying out highly effective programs in such areas
as oral rehydration therapy, which has saved the lives of millions
of children with such diseases as dysentery; population and family
planning; and help for fledgling entrepreneurs.
USAID has its detractors, however. Former Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C.,
charged that AID’s programs had minimal effect and were “only lining
the pockets of corrupt dictators, while funding the salaries of a
growing, bloated bureaucracy.”
——
EDITOR’S NOTE — George Gedda has covered foreign affairs for The
Associated Press since 1968.
AP-ES-09-08-04 0143EDT

U.S. Open Tennis: Agassi’s silent treatment pays off
International Herald Tribune
Chris Broussard NYT
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
NEW YORK Before facing an opponent, particularly a top-flight one,
Sargis Sargsian sometimes receives advice from Andre Agassi.
In a telephone conversation the night before the match, Agassi
will break down the opponent’s game and give Sargsian a blueprint
for victory.
On Sunday night, however, the two friends did not speak. Sargsian’s
opponent in the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Monday was Agassi
himself, a two-time Open champion who did not want to take any chances.
Agassi, seeded sixth, came away with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory, advancing
to the quarterfinals for the 12th time in his 19 trips and setting
up a high-profile match on Wednesday with top-seeded Roger Federer.
“I’ll go out there with the intention of having to play my best
tennis,” said Agassi, whose last match against Federer was a 6-4,
3-6, 4-6 loss at Indian Wells, California, in March. “That’s the good
news playing him, if that is good news. There’s not a whole lot of
thinking. You better shoot for your best stuff right away, not take
your foot off the pedal. But if I can hit my shots aggressively and
play to the standard I know I can, I have every intention of winning
the match.”
Federer could be a bit rusty. He received a walkover on Monday when his
fourth-round opponent, Andrei Pavel, withdrew because of a herniated
disk in his lower back.
“I think not playing in four days is not ideal for him,” Agassi
said. “Going out there in a big environment is something that he has
proven to be the best at this year. I’m going to try to give something
for the crowd to cheer about.”
Fifth-seeded Tim Henman also advanced to the quarterfinals after
19th-seeded Nicolas Kiefer retired three games into the fifth set
with a wrist injury. Henman won, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 3-0.
Meanwhile the magical run is over for Olivier Rochus, the diminutive
– 5-foot-5, 130-pound, or 1.67-meter, 59-kilogram – unseeded Belgian
who had defied all odds by reaching the fourth round.
Despite taking the first two sets from 22nd-seeded Dominik Hrbaty of
Slovakia, Rochus fell, 2-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0, after being slowed
by leg cramps late in the match.
Rochus, 23, was ranked 100th in the world and had never won a match
in four previous appearances in the U.S. Open. In fact, he had won
only one set here.
Sargsian, 31, who was in the fourth round of a Grand Slam event on
Monday for only the second time in his career, simply could not figure
out – or carry out – a plan of attack.
“For me, it’s strange to play Andre, to be honest,” said Sargsian,
who is 0-6 against Agassi. “I really hope this is the last time I play
him. I don’t feel like I have a game plan against him, like I don’t
know how to win the points. You cannot serve and volley, you cannot
play him from the back, you cannot hustle because you know he’s not
going to miss. He’s going to make you run until tomorrow morning.”
Sargsian had seemingly been running all tournament long, logging 12
hours five minutes of court time – seven hours more than Agassi had
played – through the first three rounds. His second-round victory over
10th-seeded Nicolas Massu lasted 5:09 and was the second-longest match
in U.S. Open history. Two days later, he edged Paul-Henri Mathieu of
France, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4), in a match that lasted 4:44.
Sargsian, who is Armenian, and Agassi, met seven years ago in
California. Agassi said he was a bundle of nerves while watching
Sargsian’s match with Mathieu on television.
“I’ve never been so nervous in my life,” he said. “It’s a lot easier
playing than watching when you really care about it. I was pulling
for him. It was a great display of tennis and heart, by both players.”
Against Agassi, who is 34 years old, Sargsian could not display the
same level of tennis acumen. He committed 43 unforced errors, more
than double the amount Agassi committed.
Although perhaps not at the top of his game, Agassi was sharp. Playing
at his typically torrid pace, he seemed to have Sargsian off
balance. Despite his feelings for Sargsian, he held nothing back.
“I don’t think it’s quite as comfortable playing against somebody that
you root for,” Agassi said. “I mean, if I were to lose, I probably
wouldn’t want to lose to anybody more than him, if that makes any
sense at all.
“But you have a lot of respect for each other personally –
professionally, too. In order to maintain that respect, both guys
have to go out there and lay it on the line and give a hug afterwards.”
But no advice beforehand.
The New York Times

Cucumbers a best bet at farmers markets
seattletimes.com
Food
Wednesday, September 08, 2004, 12:00 A.M.
Season: Although often overlooked, cucumbers are incredibly versatile.
Imagine a tangy Greek salad or cumin-scented Indian raita without
their crisp freshness. Cucumbers will be on market tables through
mid-September.
How to select: Farmers markets have an interesting variety of cukes
that may not be familiar. Yellow-green Armenian cucumbers are curved
with paper-thin skins and soft seeds. Be sure to try the Lemon
cucumber, a striped yellow orb, which is sweet and crisp with none
of the bitterness often found in other varieties. Also available are
the traditional slicing and pickling cukes.
Cucumbers should be firm without soft spots or shriveled ends. Avoid
those that are very large because they will be exceptionally seedy
and watery.
How to handle: Because of their high-water content, cucumbers have
a short shelf life but can be refrigerated in the crisper up to a week.
Scrub unwaxed cucumbers lightly; waxed cucumbers should be
peeled. Slice in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds with a small
spoon.
Goes with: Buttermilk and yogurt; dill, mint, tarragon and basil;
tomato, sweet red peppers, green, red and sweet onions; salmon.
Sources: “Field Guide to Produce” by Aliza Green; “Cook’s Thesaurus”
by Lori Alden; Chris Curtis, Farmers Market Association
Cece Sullivan, Seattle Times home economist
Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

CENN – SEPTEMBER 8, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. Georgia’s Protected Areas Ready Themselves to Market Their Future
Visitors
2. “Healthy Lifestyle” Subject to be Included in Armenian School
Curricula in 2006
3. IFAD New Credit Program to be Approved in December
4. RA Government to Strengthen Control over Armenia’s Biosecurity
5. Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program
6. EIA Reports Submitted to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to
7. Announcement of the Ministry of Environment of Georgia
1. GEORGIA’S PROTECTED AREAS READY THEMSELVES TO MARKET THEIR FUTURE
VISITORS
Immediate Release
Lagodekhi, Georgia – September 6, 2004 – The Protected Areas Development
Project announced the successful completion of a 3 day Marketing
workshop held at Lagodekhi Nature Reserve’s Headquarters in Lagodekhi,
Georgia. Protected Areas directors from Lagodekhi, Akhmeta, Vashlovani
gathered to work on the marketing strategies for their protected areas
so in the near future they may attract both local and international
visitors and at the same time uphold their conviction to protect this
precious national reserves and parks. Protected Areas Development Center
headed by Paata Shanshiashvili, hosted the event and he and his team
were joined by prominent players in the Protected Areas Development
Project such as the Chairman of the State Department of Protected Areas,
Mr.Eugine Asatiani, theChairman of the State Department of Tourism and
Resorts, Mr.Saba Kiknadze. In addition, the directors from both
Borjomi-Kharagauli and Kolkheti National Parks, Mr. Zviad Gotsiridze and
Mr. Marlen Patsatsia shared their experiences with the group about
their parks that have already opened and are being visited.
“Lagodekhi, Vashlovani, Tusheti, Batsara-Babaneuli and Ilto Protected
Areas are part of the Georgia’s national heritage and we are taking
seriously the important job of sharing these areas with Georgians and
the International community alike,” said Mr.Saba Kiknadze,, “How we
market and to whom we market will be of great importance as we get ready
to open the parks and so this workshop has been an important milestone
in our tasks to attract visitors.”
Directors of Protected Areas are promising to their parks’ future
visitors:
“Protected Tusheti Highlands” – walking and horseback riding in the wild
nature, sightseeing of historical – cultural monuments with exposure of
local mountain communities’ household traditions – cooking, folk and
handicraft, accommodations in “bed & breakfast” family hotels or
overnight-stays in wild nature”
“Lagodekhi Protected Area – the oldest Nature Reserve – provides
scientists, families and people interested in cultural and natural
heritage overnight stays in a beautiful place with wonders of nature,
from 350 to 3500 m above see level, diverse and unique flora and fauna,
tertiary period’s elements of nature, and breathtaking views”.
“Wild Savannah of Vashlovani”- vast shallow forest, split canyons,
flood-plain forests and lots of unique species of fauna in vast steps,
fossils from 3-5 millions years of age, archeological monuments from
BCE, and extraordinary adventures in unique packages: rafting down the
Alazani river, enjoying the bird-watching; great accommodations,
legendary wine and cuisine”.
“Also, “Grand Tour” – combining all these Protected Areas offering
unique pleasure to everybody, no matter are you alone or with family, or
friends, because of
o National Parks belong to you
o They are beautiful and unique cultural and natural heritage of Georgia
o They are great for gatherings
o They are affordable
o You are provided with full information about the nature and history of
these places
o Parks are served by professionals, including guides and rangers “.
Contact: Natia Kobakhidze
Georgia Protected Areas Development Project
Tel: (+995 32) 251566
E-mail: [email protected]
2. “HEALTHY LIFESTYLE” SUBJECT TO BE INCLUDED IN ARMENIAN SCHOOL
CURRICULA IN 2006
Source: Arminfo: September 3, 2004
The UNFPA is ready to assist Armenia’s Education and Science Ministry in
introducing the Healthy Lifestyle subject in the curricula of Armenian
schools, says UNFPA country director for Armenia. Anne-Birgitte
Albrectsen.
The subject will be included in Armenian school curricula in 2006. It
will be taught to school-leavers and university students. The subject is
meant to acquaint young people with all the aspects of health care as
well as to raise their sexual awareness. This is a very important
agreement especially as the Armenian Government has adopted a law on
reproductive health, says Albrectsen. She notes that many Armenians are
reluctant to go to the doctor regularly and know very little about
reproductive health.
Among the other authors of the project is UNICEF. The agreement is part
of the UNFPA Plan of Action for 2005-2009. In late 2004 all Armenian
ministries, NGOs, MPs cooperating with UNFPA will be informed of the
measures to fulfill the project. Only then will the plan be ratified by
the Armenian Government. UNFPA provides Armenia with both technical and
consultative assistance. It implements $500,000 worth projects
in the country each year.
3. IFAD NEW CREDIT PROGRAM TO BE APPROVED IN DECEMBER
Source: Arminfo: September 3, 2004
At its general meeting in December, the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD) is to approve a draft credit program
worth 15-20mln. USD, Alik Kalantaryan, IFAD Armenia office, told
ARMINFO.
He reported that the program is to be implemented in two directions:
crediting of agricultural business and economically sound restoration of
infrastructures. Kalantaryan pointed out that the program envisages over
10mln. USD for crediting. He added that this component will be realized
with the involvement of working financial organizations
and banks.
The maximum credit amount to be lent at this stage is 150,000 USD for up
to seven years. Kalantaryan reported that if agribusiness development
projects meet the requirements, funds will be provided to banks at the
lowest annual interest rates – 3.5% in case of small credits and 1.5% in
case of big ones. Thus, IFAD specialists calculated that credits will be
lent to agribusinessmen at an annual interest rate of 8%-11%. Also,
leasing operations will be performed.
Thus, it will allow farmers to purchase equipment worth up to 200,000
USD with 20% prepayment. A total of 5mln. USD will be allocated for the
realization of the second component. Kalantaryan added that negotiations
are currently under way with a number of international organizations,
and all preconditions for additional funding exceeding 5mln. USD have
been created. He reported that the program envisages technical
assistance to organizations, for which purpose a total of 300,000 USD
will be allocated. Organizations will render assistance to
agribusinessmen with preparing business plans and marketing. IFAD is
also going to conclude contracts with such organizations, under which
agribusinessmen will pay only 20% of the cost of organization’s
services, with the rest to be paid after banks have lend credits. If the
bank does not approve the credit, IFAD will compensate for the rest of
the funds.
IFAD has implemented a number of programs in Armenia. The fund
implemented its first credit program in 1998-2001, allocating a total of
13.5mln. USD on various agricultural projects. The Fund allocated a
total of 20.2mln. USD for the implementation of its last credit program.
IFAD’s credit line is 15.5mln. USD, the RA Government’s share being
2.4mln. USD. The RA Social Investments Fund allocated 1.1mln. USD and
regional communities 0.8mln. USD. By July 1, 2004, about 14.858mln. USD
had been utilized under the program, over 3.8mln. USD of this in the
first half of 2004.
4. RA GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL OVER ARMENIA’s BIOSECURITY
Source: Arminfo: September 2, 2004
The RA Government has decided to strengthen control over Armenia’s
biological security.
At his news briefing, RA Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Artashes
Ziroyan reported that a national coordinating center is expected to be
formed simultaneously with a scientific-technical council, the latter to
be consisted of 17 experts representing 10 institutions and public
organizations. He pointed out that the Government will establish control
over the import of food products and fodder of animal origin in
conformity with the Cartagena Protocol. He said that the center will
examine documents on imported goods and their conformity to the
Cartagena Protocol. Ziroyan stated that no laboratory analysis will be
conducted for lack of funds and equipment.
5. HUBERT HUMPHREY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy has announced Hubert Humphrey
Fellowship program for Georgian citizens for the 2005-2006 academic
year. The Hubert H. Humphrey fellowship program will bring accomplished
professionals from Georgia to the United States at the midpoint in their
careers for a year of non-degree graduate study and related professional
experience.
Attached please find a detailed information and the application form of
the program. Please send this information to your contacts and potential
candidates. Please note that the application submission deadline is
October 8, 2004.
Additional information is available on the following address:
6. EIA REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT OF GEORGIA TO
Source: “Sakartvelos Respublica” (“Republic of Georgia”), August 28,
2004
In accordance with the Georgian legislation, Ltd. “Evrocement” submitted
EIA report to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to obtain an
environmental permit for the activity of second category – Clay
Development and Processing along the Miriani Poultry Enterprise.
In accordance with the Georgian legislation, Ltd. “JS&Neba” submitted
EIA report to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to obtain an
environmental permit for the activity of second category – Processign of
the Gunia-kala Deposit in Tsalka Region.
EIA reports are available at the press-center of the Ministry of
Environment (68, Kostava Str., VI floor) and at the Department of
Environmental Permits and State Ecological Expertise (87, Paliashvili
Str., Tel: 25 02 19). Interested stakeholders can analyze the document
and present their comments and considerations until October 12, 2004.
Public hearing will be held on October 12, 2004 at 12:00, at the
conference hall of the Ministry of Environment.
7. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT OF GEORGIA
The Ministry of Environment of Georgia announces competition on granting
the licenses for the following activities:
o Extraction of the mineral waters in Akhaltsikhe region, Pavliani
village;
o Extraction of the “Babanuri” mineral waters of Shuakhevi region;
o Processing and development of the “Vajas Tskaro” mineral waters
deposit in Dusheti region in for extraction the mineral water;
o Processing and development of the “Okhiri” mineral water deposit in
Akhalgori region for extraction the mineral water;
o Processing of the Sadakhlo deposit;
o Development of the Teshenati deposit and therefore processing of the
deposits in villages Bueti, Dzuknuri, Tsuskhvati, of the Tkibuli region;
o Extraction of the inert materials form the river Ksani, Mtskheta
region;
o Research and extraction of the water along the BTC route Kp248
Akhaltsikhe region along the measuring station 80;
o Processing of the “Dado” deposit (Akhalkalaki region) for extracting
the sand.
Deadline for submitting the relevant documentation: September 15, 2004
For the additional information please see: “Sakartvelos Respublica”
(“Republic of Georgia”), August 27, 2004
Also you can receive additional information on the following address:
87, Paliashvilis str., Tbilisi
Tel: +995 32 25 17 22, 25 17 20
—
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:

Khatami calls for expansion of Tehran-Yerevan ties
IRNA, Iran
Sept 8 2004
Yerevan, Sept 8, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami here on Wednesday
stressed expansion of Tehran-Yerevan ties, especially between the
two parliaments.
In a meeting with Armenian speaker Artur Baghdarsyan, Khatami said
Tehran-Yerevan parliamentary cooperation would be effective in
consolidating bilateral ties.
Khatami stressed close links in the destinies of the Iranian and
Armenian nations, saying he was fully confident there are abundant
capacities in both countries and they can tread the path to progress
more speedily by helping each other.
He hoped that during his visit, talks between Iranian and Armenian
officials would attain tangible and meaningful results.
Baghdarsyan voiced pleasure over presence of the high-level Iranian
delegation in Armenia and said his countrymen had long been expecting
the visit.
He referred to age-old friendship and presence of tens of thousand
Armenians outside Armenian borders, including in Iran, saying the
Iranian and Armenian nations` fate are interlinked.
He praised the role of Khatami in expansion of bilateral ties.

Khatami: Armenians have a great impact on human civilizations
IRNA, Iran
Sept 8 2004
Yerevan, Sept 8, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami here Wednesday
said that Armenia`s long history as well as its talented, diligent
and self-confident people have had a great impact on the human
civilizations.
Speaking to reporters, he referred to Iran`s glorious civilization of
the past eras and the Armenians` pivotal role in its development and
said that even today the Iranian Armenians keep on attempting towards
Iran`s independence and progress along with their Muslim compatriots.
“We respect our neighbors and are keen to cooperate with them.
We place special focus on Iran-Armenia ties, which can serve as a
model for those countries intending to establish relations on the
basis of mutual respect.
“Given our commitment to collaborate with Armenia following its
independence, bilateral relations have been improving since 1991,”
he added.
The president referred to the agreements signed mutually on Wednesday
and said that they are beneficial to both sides and will serve to
further broaden cooperation.
The chief executive reiterated the need to promote security and
tranquility in Iran and Caucasus and said that security and stability
in the two sensitive regions will guarantee scientific and cultural
development.
President Khatami voiced Iran`s intention to broaden its economic
and technical cooperation with the world countries and expedite
the development trend by making use of the affordable facilities
and potentials.
He referred to the great number of commonalties between Iran and
the Caucasus and said that it can overshadow some of the differences
of opinion.
The president said that most of the inked documents focused on energy
and communications and their exchange.
“Given that Armenia is located along the North-South Corridor, the
closer the communication between the two countries, the better we
can serve the entire region and the global economy,” he added.
For his part, Armenian President Robert Kocharian referred to President
Khatami`s trip to Armenia as the first visit by an Iranian president
to the country and said that it is therefore a significant historical
event.
He noted that his talks in today`s meeting with his Iranian counterpart
mainly focused on economic matters including energy and added that
based on Armenia`s infrastructures and expertise in the field,
broader cooperation is possible.
President Kocharian expressed confidence that joint projects will
soon assume regional significance.