Author: Dabaghian Diana

Mehr News Agency, Iran
July 12 2005
Iran ambitious to produce oil in Caspian Sea
TEHRAN, July 12 – The issue of oil exploration in the Caspian Sea, once
getting lots of news coverage, was marginalized for a long time, subsequent
to gas discovery in the oil wells of Meisam and Meqdad in Iran’s coast in
1990 and 1991.
In addition, the legal regime of the Caspian Sea and Iran’s border line are
yet to be determined, 1921 and 1940 historical `agreements’ are still
presented as the documents in this regard. Presently, Iran does not approve
the border line determined for it, because the division does not include in
the main share of oil resources held by the country.
However, despite problems, the agreement on oil exploration in the Caspian
Sea was made, pursuing the purpose of oil production by Iran in the next
couple of years.
Seismography in Caspian Sea
Due to a new contract made between Oil Exploration Company and Khazar Oil
Company, Pejvak ship will perform three dimensional seismographic operations
in the Caspian Sea. The two dimensional seismographic measurements have
already been taken by a consortium comprised of Shell Co. and Bowlazma.
Gas export to Armenia
Iran and Armenia have signed a contract according to which the former would
export gas to Armenia, and in return, it would import electricity. Based on
an agreement made between National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) and TAVANIR
Co., the imported electricity would be connected to the national grid.’
The deputy further explained that the NIGC has the task of implementing the
construction operations and commissioning of gas pipelines for export
purposes, starting from Tabriz’s pressure station to Norduz village located
in Iran-Armenia border. In Armenia, SANIR Co., affiliated to Iran’s Energy
Ministry, is in charge of the pipeline construction to Karajan and
commissioning it.
In Iran, the construction of this gas export pipeline is delivered to the
domestic contractor on the EPC (engineering, procurement and construction)
basis, he said, adding that in Armenia, the pipeline construction has been
launched since February 2005. The Iranian contractor is presently equipping
the workshop; the required pipes have been purchased, and the construction
operations have been launched in four zones.
`The main contract has been signed by the NIGC and Armenia, and a trilateral
operational agreement for commissioning the pipeline is about to be
finalized among the NIGC, National Iranian Gas Export Company and Armenia
Republic. According to the agreement, the construction operation of the
pipeline in Iran would be completed by January 2007, and then the
commissioning would follow.’
According to a senior oil official, Salehiforuz, the part of the pipeline
passing via Iran is 113 km long and 30 inches in diameter. He added that 60
percent of the pipeline construction operation is carried out in the
mountainous and hard-to-pass regions.
The part of the pipeline passing via Armenia is 42 km long with a diameter
of 28 inches. It transfers gas from the border point with Iran to Karajan.
The received gas in Karajan is injected to internal gas distribution network
in Armenia, he stated.
The two countries have agreed on the figure of 200 million cu. m as the
volume of the gas export per annum, equal to 300,000 to 400,000 cu. m per
day.
Gas supply to Nakhichevan
The gas supply to Nakhichevan would be carried out on the swap basis with
Azerbaijan Republic. The NIGC takes the gas from Azerbaijan in the border
point of Astara and delivers it to Nakhichevan on Jolfa border. The
construction operation of this project is being implemented and would be
completed by October 2006.
Neka-Sari Pipeline
The 32-inch gas pipeline between Neka and Sari would soon be completed by
Iran Oil Engineering and Construction Company (IOEC), affiliated to National
Iranian Oil Products and Distribution Company (N.I.O.P.D.C). By implementing
this project, the capacity of transferring crude oil to Tehran would
increase to 370,000 barrels per day (bpd).
The amount of the crude oil swap was put at 65,000 bpd on average in the
last month with the renewal of the swap contracts by Nikoo Co.
The capacity of transfer pipeline of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan at 50 million tons
per annum (one million bpd), explaining that this pipeline is 1,800 km long
and is like a reservoir with the capacity of 10 million barrels. In other
words, the pipeline itself is the first consumer and its operation has had
no impact on the amount of the oil swap via Iran.
Negotiations with Total
Negotiations have been made with the French Total Co. on transferring gas
within two stages. The first stage transfers crude oil to a maritime
terminal in Kazakhstan via a pipeline, and then, it is carried to Neka by
using the 63,000-ton ships. The second stage includes in the continuation of
the pipeline to the Persian Gulf, he said. A memorandum of understanding
(MOU) has been signed with Total Co. on this pipeline named KTI
(Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran).
Exploration contract in Caspian Sea
He said that a contract on oil exploration in the Caspian Sea has been
signed, and presently the required equipment for drilling two wells has been
purchased. For drilling the wells, North Drilling Company would enjoy
cooperation of a foreign partner possessing enough experience in this field,
since drilling wells in the deep waters is the first experience in the
country.
With regard to cooperation with the foreign companies in the Caspian Sea
project, an international company has made a proposal and an MOU would be
signed upon the agreement by the officials.
He also said that a proposal has been made on the presence of a third
company in the oilfields disagreed by Iran, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan.
However, the exploration operation would be carried out in these fields, if
an agreement is reached.
Alborz Platform
Alborz platform is made in order to launch drilling operations for the
exploration wells in the Caspian Sea as well as determination of the legal
regime of Caspian. It is the only alternative for developing the oilfields
in this sea. Khazar Oil Company is presently carrying out the construction
of the platform and drilling wells. In addition, the Foreign Ministry and
the Supreme National Security Council have emphasized to assist the Oil
Ministry on determination of the legal regime of the Caspian Sea.
The time of oil production in the Caspian Sea depends on the results of
drilling two exploration wells. If the results are successful, the project
developing the sea’s oilfields would be launched through drilling the
development wells.

EU envoy pleased with reforms – Azeri TV
Lider TV, Baku
7 Jul 05
[Presenter] The EU special representative for the South Caucasus,
Heikki Talvitie, has expressed satisfaction with the course of the
electoral campaign in Azerbaijan. He pointed out that the EU supports
peaceful struggle for power and evolution, but not revolution.
[Correspondent] The EU special representative for the South Caucasus,
Heikki Talvitie, who is visiting Baku, has said that the electoral
campaign in Azerbaijan indicates that the parliamentary elections
would be held democratically. Talvitie said that he had familiarized
himself with President Ilham Aliyev’s decree on improving the election
practice. He expressed his hope that the necessary conditions would be
created to ensure fair and transparent elections.
Talvitie said that democratic reforms being conducted in Azerbaijan
were at the centre of attention of the EU.
[Passage omitted: reiteration of the same ideas]
[Correspondent] Speaking about the Karabakh talks, Talvitie said that
he was satisfied with the current stage of the dialogue between the
[Azerbaijani and Armenian] foreign ministers. Talvitie also inquired
about the process of Azerbaijan’s integration into the EU.
At his meetings with President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov, the EU representative said that the EU was doing
everything possible to establish close ties with Azerbaijan within the
framework of its New Neighbourhood Policy.

Pan Armenian News
IRAN PROPOSES ARMENIA TO DEVELOP COOPERATION IN VARIOUS FIELDS
06.07.2005 03:56
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian met with
Governor of the Iranian province of Hormozgan Ebrahim Derazmisu, RA
government’s press service reported. Congratulating the guest with the
presidential election held in Iran Andranik Margarian expressed hope that
the Iranian-Armenian relations will keep developing. The parties stressed
the importance of mutual visits and Iran’s balanced policy towards the South
Caucasian states. Andranik Margarian and Ebrahim Derazmisu noted with
satisfaction the positive index of the economic relations and the growth of
the commodity turnover stressing the importance of the construction of the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline and of hydroelectric power plants on River Araks.
A document on cooperation between the Iranian province of Hormozgan and the
Ararat region of Armenia was signed. When touching upon the possibilities of
cargo transportation via the province Ebrahim Derazmisu said that
cooperation can be established in tourism, agriculture and other fields.
Andranik Margarian assured that the Armenian government is ready to render
the essential assistance to implement the programs outlined.

Pan Armenian News
OKL AGAINST PARTICIPATION OF ARMENIANS IN PACE SITTING
06.07.2005 06:11
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ July 5 a group of activists of the Organization for
Karabakh Liberation (OKL) organized a protest action against the
participation of Armenia’s representative in the conference of the PACE
Subcommittee in Baku. At about 12.00 the OKL activists gathered at the Hyatt
Regency Hotel, where the sitting of the PACE Monitoring Committee was held
and protested against the arrival of Armenia’s representative. Some of them
succeeded in breaking into the hotel, where they were stopped by policemen.
Deputies Samed Seyidov, Bakhtiyar Aliyev and Asim Mollazade assured them
that there are no Armenians present at the meeting. The activists started a
fight, however no one was arrested or seriously hurt. To remind, July 4
Robert Melik-Pashyev took part in the sitting of the PACE Subcommittee on
Migration, Refugees and Population in Baku.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DEMONSTRATION OF FILMS BY GERMAN DIRECTOR R.W. FASSBINDER TO BE IN
YEREVAN IN JULY-AUGUST
YEREVAN, JULY 6. ARMINFO. Demonstration of films by a German
cinematographer Rainer Werner Fassbinder timed to his 60th anniversary
will be organized in Armenia’s National Picture Gallery in
July-August.
Program manager Melik Karapetyan informed at today’s press-conference
that 31 films reflected Germany and German society of 70-80s’ will be
presented to Armenian audience.
To note, Fassbinder (1945-1982) has shot more than 40 films, created
numerous TV- and radio-programs, following his motto to achieve such
heights “Shakespeare in literature, Marks in politics and Freud in
psychology”.

A1plus
| 20:58:30 | 05-07-2005 | Politics |
LAW AND CONSTITUTION CAN’T BUT BE VIOLATED
`Laws including the organic law cannot but be violated in Armenia. It is a
natural process. However the violations should be unique but not bear mass
character’, Gurgen Arsenyan, leader of the United Labor party considers.
Tigran Torosyan shares his opinion. `The Constitution is violated in any
country. However the decision of the Constitutional Court is needed for
certain cases. Unless the law is discussed and declared anti-constitutional
it cannot be considered to be such’, he says.
Tigran Torosyan considers that we have advanced a little on the path of
formation of constitutional culture. However today’s holiday should be one
of the most favorite holidays of our society.
Head of the Armenian Police Hayk Harutyunyan, President’s representative
Armen Harutyunyan and head of the parliamentary majority Galust Sahakyan
consider that the Constitution has never been violated.

Azeri pressure group protests against visit by Armenian activist
ANS TV, Baku
5 Jul 05
[Presenter] Members of the Karabakh Liberation Organization [KLO]
today picketed the hotel, where a meeting is under way, in order to
protest against the participation of an Armenian representative in a
session of the sub-committee on refugees [of the Committee on
Migration, Refugees and Population] of the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe.
[Correspondent over video of the protest] The participation of Robert
Melik-Pashayev, a representative of the Armenian NGO Veradarts Hayk
[Back to Armenian Roots], in the Baku session infuriated the KLO
members. About 30 members of the organization attempted to stage a
picket outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel – the venue of the seminar.
[A protester] The Armenian must leave.
[Correspondent] MP Asim Mollazada met the protesters and tried to calm
them down. He managed to convince them that the Armenian
representative was absent from the session today. Only after he and
the police intervened in the action, the pickets stopped their
protest.
[KLO deputy chairman Firudin Mammadov speaking to microphone,
captioned] Irrespective of whether it is a legal entity, not a single
organization can invite Armenians to Azerbaijan. The Armenians must
not visit Azerbaijan as long as Azerbaijani territories are under
occupation, as long as we have not avenged the blood of our martyrs
and as long as the Armenians have not given up their claims to
independence. Not a single Armenian should visit Azerbaijan as long as
they think that the war started in [the Azerbaijani town of] Sumqayit
and that Karabakh belongs to Armenians.
The KLO will definitely foil such visits. We were told that no
Armenian was attending this event and we believed them. We did not
attempt to prevent it because we see how important it is for
Azerbaijan.
[Correspondent] Mammadov said that the KLO will take more determined
steps if this happens again in the future.
Elzar Agayev, Zeynal Zeynalov for ANS.
[Video showed one of the protesters demanding that the Armenian be
deported from Azerbaijan, protesters outside the hotel and Asim
Mollazada talking to protesters]

A1plus
| 19:20:45 | 01-07-2005 | Social |
THERE ARE NO POOR PEOPLE IN ARMAVIR
«In order to eliminate poverty people must work and not complain», said the
governor of the Armavir region Albert Heroyan during today’s Open Forum of
the Poverty combating strategic program in the Armavir region.
According to the facts represented by the regional governor, in the region
in 2003-2005 14 000 hectares of land has been sold in which there were no
lands smaller than 50 hectares.
The irrigation problem has been solved in the region, now it makes 27
sq.m./sec. There is a lack of workers in the region and there are 3500
people working in the farms, in 1998-2003 before the construction of the
water pipe more than 11 000 hectares of land was cultivated. For those year
1500-200 hectares of gardens have been planted.
According to the regional governor they will take up the creation of small,
medium and large farms. Today small farms are created. Mr. Heroyan is sure
that only he is poor who is lazy. The enlargement of lands, according to
him, is profitable and prevents the people from becoming poor.
Hranoush Kharatyan, head of the non-governmental organization `Hazarashen’
does not mind the enlargement of lands, but she thinks that the workers of
the small lands are vulnerable. Besides, `the enlargement of lands is a
quick process the results of which are not calculated’.
During the open forum the regional governor Albert Heroyan did not allow
anyone to express their opinion. He tries to persuade those present that
there are no poor people in the Armavir region. He mentioned, `We have 40000
tons of apricot. In the market 1 kg costs 120 drams’. But we learnt in the
market that only the best fruit costs 120 drams, the average cost is 50
drams and after the winds of the last few days the cost was reduced up to 30
dram.
By the way, according to Hranoush Kharatyan, in Armenia the minimum wage was
established – 13 000 drams which is less than the minimum consumer basket.

US envoy says Karabakh problem impedes development of Azeri districts
ANS TV, Baku
30 Jun 05
[Presenter in studio] The US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Reno Harnish,
who is visiting the Gancabasar region [western Azerbaijan], has
said that the unresolved status of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict is
hampering the development of Azerbaijan’s border districts.
[Correspondent over video of Reno Harnish visiting several towns]
The US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Reno Harnish, who has just completed
his tour of western Azerbaijan, visited the Azerbaijani-Georgian
border today. He met customs employees at the Sinix Korpu border and
customs checkpoints.
Then the diplomat travelled to Samkir. The US ambassador discussed
the election situation in the district in a meeting behind closed
doors with the head of the local executive authorities.
As part of the tour of Azerbaijan’s western districts, Reno Harnish
also attended the opening ceremonies of two marketing centres in
Qazax and Tovuz. The marketing centres have been established with
the financial support of the US Agency for International Development
[USAID].
The diplomat said that the US government and its agencies had allocated
up to 90m dollars to Azerbaijan as part of a business development
programme and five marketing centres are already operating.
During a meeting behind closed doors at the Tovuz customs checkpoint,
the ambassador spoke about the implementation of joint US-Azerbaijani
projects. Reno Harnish held meetings with the head of the Tovuz
district authorities and representatives of the opposition.
The US ambassador’s visit to the Gancabasar region ended at that point.
Esmira Xalilova, Sahla Abdinova, Rafiq Nagiyev, ANS.

Karabakh parliament elects heads of parliamentary commissions
Mediamax news agency
30 Jun 05
Yerevan, 30 June: New chairmen were elected at the first session of
the new National Assembly of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic today.
Vagram Atanesyan was re-elected as chairman of the commission for
foreign relations.
Benik Bakhshiyan was elected chairman of the commission for industry
and production infrastructures, Arpat Avanesyan – chairman of the
commission for social issues, Yuriy Ayrapetyan – chairman of the
commission for financial issues, Araik Arutyunyan – chairman of
the commission for the budget and economic management and Rudolf
Martirosyan – for defence, security and law.
[Passage omitted: minor details]