ASBAREZ Online [12-27-2004]

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12/27/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Armenia to Deploy 46 Troops to Iraq 2) Mountainous Karabagh Republic President Appoints New Foreign Minister 3) Armenian Parliament Approves 2005 Budget 4) Government Sticks to Christmas Tree Ban 1) Armenia to Deploy 46 Troops to Iraq YEREVAN (AP)--Armenia's parliament voted Friday to send 46 non-combat troops to Iraq, a move that was backed by President Robert Kocharian but drew sharp criticism from many Armenians and opposition groups. After more than seven hours of debate behind closed doors, lawmakers in the National Assembly voted 91-23, with one abstention, to send the contingent, which will include bomb-disposal experts, doctors, and transport specialists. Only two parliamentary factions, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), a member of the government coalition, and the opposition Artarutyun (Justice) alliance voted against it. The troops could be deployed to Iraq as early as next month and could serve in Iraq for up to a year, said Defense Minister Serge Sarkisian, adding that the contingent would only conduct humanitarian operations. "There is not, and will not be an Armenian military presence in Iraq," Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said. "In the humanitarian aspect, it is preferable for Armenia to contribute to the postwar reconstruction of Iraq, in establishing democracy in this country which has important significance for the region and which could have an impact on the Caucasus." The troops would serve as part of the Polish-led multinational force, officials said. That force operates in a belt of territory south of Baghdad, though Armenia has not specified where its troops will deploy. The Constitutional Court ruled earlier this month that Kocharian's plan to send non-combat troops to Iraq did not violate the country's constitution. But the proposal had been widely criticized by opposition parties, many Armenians and even the 30,000-strong Armenian community in Iraq, which feared being targeted for attacks if the troops were sent. In August, an Armenian Apostolic church in Baghdad was hit in a wave of attacks on Iraq's minority Christians that that killed 11 people and injured more than 50. Other former Soviet republics that have also sent troops to Iraq are Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, and the three Baltic countries. 2) Mountainous Karabagh Republic President Appoints New Foreign Minister STEPANAKERT (Combined Sources)--Mountainous Karabagh Republic's Permanent Representative in Armenia Arman Melikian, was appointed the republic's foreign minister on Friday in order to accelerate foreign policy activities, according to MKR president Arkady Ghukasian. Melikian, who has served as Armenia's ambassador to Kazakhstan in the past, will retain his previous job for the time being. Ghukasian also explained that, in response to recent international developments, certain foreign ministry operations must be transferred to Armenia in order to gain access to embassies and international organizations. Melikian's predecessor Ashot Gulian was appointed the minister of education and culture minister. Ghukasian also filled the vacant position of deputy prime minister by appointing Ararat Danielian. 3) Armenian Parliament Approves 2005 Budget YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--The Armenian parliament overwhelmingly passed the government's budget for next year that calls for an almost 25 increase in public spending. Deputy Finance and Economy Minister Pavel Safarian said that certain changes were made in the 2005 budget, adding that an overwhelming majority of the 315 proposals and amendments put forward by officials are reflected in the final draft. The government expects to collect a record-high 345.3 billion drams ($712 million) in revenues and spend 394.6 billion drams. This is roughly 5 percent more than was envisaged in the initial version of the bill unveiled by ministers in late October. The government also plans sizable rises in health care and social expenditures. Officials are keen to stress that the 2005 budget has a "social orientation." The budgetary parameters, endorsed by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, are based on government expectations of continued economic growth and improved tax collection. 4) Government Sticks to Christmas Tree Ban YEREVAN (RFE-RL)--Environment Minister Vartan Ayvazian said on Friday that the Armenian government is successfully enforcing a three-year ban on the use of natural Christmas trees which is aimed at shoring up the country's endangered forests. Ayvazian cited anecdotal evidence to claim that hardly any tree has been felled and sold in Armenia for the upcoming New Year and Christmas celebrations. "Only last night a small batch of trees was imported from Russia," he told reporters. "But otherwise, as you can see, there are no trees cut and sold in the Republic of Armenia." Armenian spruces and other pine trees were widely available for sale in Yerevan and other parts of the country until the introduction of the ban in 2002. They have since given way to imported artificial trees. The Christmas tree ban has done little to stop the continuing shrinkage of the country's already scarce wooded areas. Environment protection groups warn that if the current trends continue, Armenia could be left without any forests by 2024. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.