Author: Felekian Ara

KAZAKH OIL AND GAS WORRIES

New Europe

Se pt 1 2008
Belgium

Georgian conflict may jeopardise Caucasus energy corridor

The latest events in the Caucasus jeopardise many of Kazakhstan’s
plans with respect to transportation of its strategic goods – oil and
gas – by the southern route. The Caucasian corridor that Kazakhstan
considered until recently, as an alternative transport route may
prove the most unreliable.

Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Azerbaijan to transport its
crude to the world markets by the Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan oil pipeline
(BTC). Long before the conflict broke out, when speaking about the
transit potential of the Caucasus, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliev
said that the future of such major oil and gas project as the BTC
would depend on stability in that region.

The first alarming news that the world media reported two weeks ago
was a fire in the BTC. The pumping of crude from Baku was stopped. The
Turkish media reported that a Kurdish terrorist organisation took
the responsibility for the explosion on the BTC.

While the Azeri leader referred to Nagorno Karabakh when he raised the
stability issue, the Georgia-A bkha – zia-Ossetia situation was no less
worrisome. Georgian Economic Development Minister Ekaterina Sharashidze
told a press-conference in Tbilisi that "We cannot disregard the
attempts of the Russian aviation to bomb the oil and gas pipelines."

Although the Kazakh crude is not yet transported by the BTC, many
Kazakh experts predict that the latest developments will make the
owners of crude think hard about using the other directions to
transport their crude.

During a teleconference in Astana, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Karim
Masimov directed the ministry of energy and mineral resources and
the national oil and gas company KazMunaiGas (KMG) to consider
re-orientation of exports of crude from the Caucasian corridor
to the internal market. According to KazMunaiGas President Serik
Burkitbaev, about one million tonnes of crude could be pulled out
from the Caucasian corridor.

Commenting on the words of the KMG leader, a Kazakh oil expert
told New Europe that "one million tonnes of crude is not big enough
volume for us to regret." However, such a situation is not good for
Azerbaijan and Georgia who are going to lose profits from transit of
crude through their territories, he said.

He also doubted that with the current high prices for crude, oil
companies would be willing to send about one million tonnes of
crude to the internal market. "If the northern direction, that is
through Russia, is fully packed (the expansion of the Caspian Pipeline
Consortium being on hold), these volumes are most likely to go either
to China, or through Iran," the expert concluded.

In spite of the distance, the Kazakh oil companies have been seriously
concerned over the events in Northern Ossetia and Georgia. As is
known, last year the national company KazMunaiGas became the 100
percent owner of the Batumi port on the Black Sea. The information
agencies have reported bombing damages to another Georgian port on
the Black Sea, Poti.

At a government meeting, Burkitbaev said that although the Batumi
port did not suffer as a result of the situation at the Caucasus,
the concerns were still there. The Batumi port did not suffer like the
Poti port did. But we have removed all the bulk carriers and tankers
that were in the loading area. However, the concerns are still there.

As New Europe wrote earlier, with the purchase of the terminal in
Batumi, Kazakhstan had plans to transport its crude through it and
through the Azeri-Georgian oil pipeline Baku-Supsa, to a refinery
in the Romanian port of Constanca. As the 75 percent owner of the
oil concern Rompetrol, the Kazakh national company nurtured ambitious
plans to enter the European market. Now, in the light of the situation
in Georgia, these plans are also under a threat of frustration.

"Kazakhstan can still deliver its crude to Romania by the Russian
oil pipeline Atyrau-Samara. However, we are not losing hope that
by the time of the big Kazakh oil, the situation in the Caucuses,
in particular, in Georgia, will normalise," the Kazakh oil expert
told New Europe.

RA MFA: ARMENIAN, TURKISH PRESIDENTS TO DISCUSS WIDE SCOPE OF ISSUES IF GUL ARRIVES IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.09.2008 19:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ If Abdullah Gul visits Yerevan, the Presidents of
the two states will certainly consider a wide scope of international
and regional issues before attending the World Cup qualifying game,
RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said during a meeting with
students and teaching staff of Yerevan State University.

The Minister presented priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy and
said that the annual meeting of Armenian ambassadors and permanent
representatives to international organizations will be held in Yerevan
on September 3.

He also informed that a diplomatic school will open in the republic
in the near future.

Armenia presents several candidacies for participation in OSCE
monitoring group in Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone

2008-08-30 14:53:00

ArmInfo. Armenia has presented several candidacies for participation in
the OSCE monitoring group in the
Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone, an informed source told ArmInfo
correspondent. According to the source, the candidacies are not
endorsed yet.

To note, the OSCE intends to send an observation group consisting of 20
people to the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone. Official
representative of the Russian foreign ministry Anatoly Nestereneko has
recently expressed discontent with the lack of active participation of
the CIS member states in monitoring in South Ossetia.

MORE WORLD LEADERS CONGRATULATE CHINA ON SUCCESS OF BEIJING OLYMPICS

Xinhua

Aug 29 2008
China

BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) — More world leaders and parliament speakers
have warmly congratulated China on the complete success of the Beijing
Olympic Games.

Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet, who had attended the opening
ceremony of the Games in Beijing, said in his congratulatory message
that the Beijing Olympiad, themed "One World, One Dream", was not only
a global sports event, but a rare opportunity to share and promote
unity, friendship and peace — the common values of all humankind.

The successful hosting of the Games served as an opportunity for the
whole world to deepen its understanding of China’s social customs
and culture, showcase China’s ever growing international status
and prestige, as well as its capability to host grand activities,
Triet said.

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said the huge success of the
Beijing Olympics will be carved into people’s memories along with the
image of fearless Chinese rescuing survivors after the devastating
8.0 magnitude earthquake in China’s southwestern Sichuan province.

During the opening ceremony, China sent the world a strong message of
"peace," which is not only China’s goal, but also the direction that
the whole world should take, Fukuda said.

He expressed hope of consolidating and enhancing the strategic and
mutually beneficial relations between Japan and China, and together
making a gesture of peace to the world.

Describing the Beijing Olympics as one of the most splendid sporting
events, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the president of the Maldives, said
the Games showcased China’s recent rapid development, and promoted
the spirit of friendship, unity and cooperation.

The king of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, said China achieved
"unprecedented" success in organizing the Beijing Olympic Games.

The achievements made at the Games reflected the wishes of all humanity
for peaceful coexistence, and increased friendship and cooperation,
he said.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan highlighted the hospitality of the
Chinese, the well-organized Olympics, the excellent facilities, and the
opening ceremony coherent with Chinese culture and modern technology,
all of which had left an indelible impression on the audience.

Nigerien President Mamadou Tandja congratulated China on the successful
conclusion of the Beijing Olympics and expressed appreciation of the
friendship between the two countries.

President Thomas Boni Yayi of Benin said the people of China were
earnest and willing to be devoted to the Olympics, and the Chinese
government had shown great foresight and brilliant leadership, all
of which contributed to the success of the Beijing Games.

President Emanuel Mori of the Federated States of Micronesia said
he had left China with the full understanding of the "One World,
One Dream" theme and appealed for the building of a better world
for everyone.

Argentine Vice President Julio Cobos said the marvelous opening
ceremony of the Beijing Games had amazed the world. China’s perfect
organization had allowed the athletes to participate in the sports
gala without worries and compete for good results.

The speaker of the Lithuanian parliament or Seimas, Ceslovas Jursenas,
said China had revealed its features, potential and long history to
the world during the Olympics and wished the country success in its
future comprehensive development.

Dimitris Sioufas, the president of the Greek parliament, praised
China’s historic contribution to the development of the Olympic Games
and the great achievements of its reform and opening up policy. He
expressed the belief that the China’s development would inspire the
whole world.

Jean Ping, the African Union Commission chairperson, said China
had provided favorable conditions for the athletes which helped them
achieve repeated successes. The foreign guests were all satisfied with
the reception and the Beijing Olympics had gained world recognition,
he added.

NOTHING CHANGED IN ARMENIA-NATO RELATIONS – YEREVAN

Interfax
Aug 28 2008
Russia

Nothing has changed in Armenia-NATO relations, and Armenian
peacekeepers are still part of the NATO forces in Iraq and Kosovo, the
Armenian Defense Minister’s press secretary Col. Seyran Shahsuvarian
told Interfax.

"Nothing has changed in our relations. Armenia is preparing for NATO
exercises," he said.

The exercises will take place on September 29 – October 21, 2008,
within the framework of NATO’s Partnership for Peace program. They
will involve about 1,100 servicemen from 21 states. Seven countries
will represent NATO, while the rest will be members of the Partnership
for Peace program.

Armenia increased the number of its peacekeepers in Kosovo to 70 this
year. It also has 46 peacekeepers – doctors, drivers and sappers –
in Iraq.

Simultaneously, Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) together with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

CALL OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE GOVERNMENTS IN ANKARA, BAKU, TBILISI AND YEREVAN

Panorama.am
17:26 23/08/2008

A number of Civil Society Organizations from Armenia, Turkey, Georgia
and the USA have signed a statement urging to open the Turkish-Armenian
border for at least 10-15 days.

"Open up to your neighbors!"

Call of the civil society representatives upon the Governments in
Ankara, Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan.

The war in Georgia has left the countries of the South Caucasus
struggling with substantial risks and challenges. As a consequence
of the recent crisis, which further exacerbated an impasse created by
the existence of the protracted conflicts, the region is deprived of a
vital vain to transport goods through the countries of the region. That
is a matter of our strongest concern. The railroad running through
Georgia is practically useless today because of the destruction of
the bridge near Gori, whereas reconstruction is being delayed for
different reasons. This situation and its consequences threaten to
deprive people in our countries of their basic rights and endanger
their hopes for stability, security and prosperity.

This crisis should make us assess the situation realistically and
initiate a new age of cooperation. The Governments in Ankara, Baku,
Tbilisi and Yerevan have a unique chance to prove their credentials
of good neighbors willing to contribute positively to the regional
peace and stability. We request them to take a collective action and
unblock immediately railroad communication networks in the region.

We made our own calculations that we would like to share with the
public. Any train can reach from Samsun on the Black Sea coast of
Turkey to Yerevan in 34 hours, to Tbilisi in 36 hours and to Baku in 49
hours. From Mersin, which is on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, it
will take 37, 39 and 52 hours respectively. This simple. The railroad
can become functional in few hours, once a political decision is made.

Thus, we urge to open the Turkish-Armenian border at least for 10-15
days to address the urgency in the Caucasus.

For years we have been engaged in Track Two Diplomacy projects and have
been able to build excellent working relations with our colleagues
across those borders. Having enjoyed the positive experience of
cooperation, we would like to take this opportunity to call upon the
Governments in Ankara, Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan to reconsider their
positions on that matter. We urge our leaders to demonstrate their
statecraft in these times of turbulence and uncertainty and prevent
possible escalation of distrust in this region.

Signatories: Tevan Poghosyan, International Center for Human
Development, Armenia Noyan Soyak, Turkish-Armenian Business Development
Council, Turkey Natela Sakhokia, Strategic research Centre, Georgia
David L. Phillips, Columbia University, Visiting Scholar, Center for
the Study of Human Rights Co-Director, Study Group on U.S.-Russian
and Georgian Relations, the USA Dr. Murat Cagatay, GAYA Research
Institute, Turkey Artush Lazarian, Chairman, Caucasian Center for
Proposing Non-Traditional Conflict Resolution Methods, Gyumri, Armenia
Guran Abashidze, Caucasus Business and Development Network, Tbilisi,
Georgia Klara Galstyan, Director, Gyumri Development Foundation,
Armenia Levon Barseghyan, "Asparez" Journalist Club, Gyumri, Armenia
Alu Gamakharia, Caucasus Business and Development Network, Kutaisi,
Georgia Betty J. Sitka, American University, Center for Global Peace,
the USA "

GEORGIAN RAILWAY COMMUNICATION WILL BE RESTORED ONLY AFTER REPAIR OF EXPLODED BRIDGE

ArmInfo
2008-08-22 10:39:00

ArmInfo-BLACK SEA PRESS. The only opportunity to restore railway
communication in Georgia is repair of the railway bridge in Kaspsk
district that was earlier exploded by Russian occupant army,
Georgian Railroad LLC told BSP. Although the bridge was rather
damaged, the company pledges that repairs will meet the schedule
(10-days). However, the company reported that even after repair,
the railway communication may not be restored since near the town
of Khashuri Russian posts have blocked traffic. The explosion of
the bridge paralyzed the railway communication between the East and
the West of Georgia and with Georgian seaports. Armenia occurred in
difficult situation as well since its cargo traffic is delayed.

CULTURAL ILLUMINATION: THE CLOSING OF "ONE NATION, ONE CULTURE" TOMORROW

Panorama.am
16:13 22/08/2008

The head of the Diaspora committee Hranush Hakobyan received today
the leaders of Diaspora cultural unions and held talks concerning
Armenia-Diaspora cultural collaboration future plans.

Today evening a choir from Turkey will make its debut in Chamber House
named after Komitas and artists from Georgia will show their pictures.

The delegations of "One Nation, One Culture" pan-Armenian festival
are visiting Armavir, Ashtarak and Artashat at the moment.

In frames of the festival the presentation of famous "Nahapet" book was
made in Hungarian language. "Concerts of Amity" conducted in frames of
the festival will end tomorrow in the evening by celebration-concert
in Republic square, Yerevan.

Tomorrow the participants of the festival will have free entry to
museums and cultural centers. Moreover, the coming celebration-concert
in Republic square is expected to be a real cultural illumination.

RA PRESIDENT WILL TAKE PART IN THE SESSION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY

armradio.am
22.08.2008 16:37

The RA President Serzh Sargsyan will take part in the 63rd session of
the United Nations Organization (UNO) General Assembly in New York
at the of September. The Armenian President will have an appearance
during the session of General Assembly in New

350 PERMITS HAVE BEEN ALREADY GIVEN
Zarine Mayilyan

Azat Artsakh Daily
20 Aug 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

This year by the suggestion of the minister of social maintenance,
by the corresponding decision of the government, a new order of
allotment of sanatorium permits have been determined. According
to this order, first time minister of social maintenance doesn’t
allocate permits for treatment and rest. Deputy minister of NKR
Ministry of Social Maintenance Lenston Ghoulyan informed us about it
during the meeting taken place in the ministry with the journalists
and the persons returned last week from sanatoriums and rest-homes.
The essence of a new order of the permits’ allotment is that they have
become addressal and are allocated by territorial social bodies of
Stepanakert and regions.The whole process of accounting is realized
by them, and ministry of social maintenance is obliged to render
methodical assistance, control, in case of necessity preparation of
new decisions. The permits of sanatoriums are allocated to invalid
servicemen, and permits of rest-homes – to the members of families
killed azatamartiks. By the information of the deputy minister, this
year about 350 persons have rested or received treatment in Jermuk,
Arzni, Gracia sanatoriums and Sevan, Dilijan rest-homes. But it has
been foreseen to allocate 300 permits for treatment and 200 permits
8 0 for resting.This process is going on.