CENN – MAY 3, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. Became A Member of the `Caucasus Environment Society’
2. EIA Report on the Project `Production of the Flour and Oil from the
Fish Products in Poti. ” by the `Kabadokia’ Ltd
3. WWF Caucasus Programme Office – Vacancy Announcement
4. Community Investment Program-East
5. Azerbaijan Hopes to Include Kazakhstan in BTC in 2004
6. Caspian Sea Problems to be Discussed in Kazakhstan
7. Kazakh section of Caspian Sea gets clean up
8. Hirkan preserve to be added to UNESCO’s Natural Heritage list?
9. BP-Azerbaijan Conducts Workshop at Baku Business Center
10. Minister Ayvazyan at UN 12TH Session on Sustainable Development
11. Armenia Counting on $20 mln World Bank Roads Loan
12. Animal Deaths, Threat to Humans Continue to Plague Village
13. Dying for a Cigarette: Anti-smoking Campaign Must Change Minds as
well as Habits
14. Forestry School to be Established
15. Cognac and Winemaking in Armenia
16. We Have the Right to Live in a Favorable Environment
17. Sevan Wanting Water
1. BECOME A MEMBER OF THE `CAUCASUS ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY’
Dear users of CENN services!
This is to inform you that due to necessity of financial sustainability
of CENN activities in the long run, we are introducing a number of
innovations in CENN services (Internet services and online products of
CENN – daily digests, bulletins` archive, full online versions of
magazines, GIS database of nature resources of the Caucasus region,
environmental legislation of the South Caucasus States in national
English and Russian languages, etc.) for different types of members to
set force from April 1, 2004.
Only the members of the `Caucasus Environment Society’ will enjoy the
full range of our services. They will receive free of charge our
magazine `Caucasus Environment’, get free legal and environmental
consultancy, free access to CENN databases, maps, resources, etc.
All membership fees support the CENN magazine’s mission of expanding
environmental knowledge on the Caucasus and are considered as charitable
contribution to the production of the regional magazine.
We welcome you to become a Member of the `Caucasus Environment Society’
by registering online:
Annual membership fee for Caucasus citizens/organizations $19, for
international members – $39. Shipment cost included.
For any questions or queries regarding membership and future usage of
online services:
Contact person: Catherine Nakashidze
Tel: +995 32 92 39 46
Fax: +995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:
2. EIA REPORT ON THE PROJECT `PRODUCTION OF THE FLOUR AND OIL FROM THE
FISH PRODUCTS IN POTI. ” BY THE `KABADOKIA’ LTD
`Sakartvelos Respublica’ (`Republic of Georgia’), April 30, 2004
In accordance with the Georgian legislation, Ltd `Kabadokia’ submitted
EIA report to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to obtain an
environmental permit for the activity of first category – Project on
Production of the Flour and Oil from the Fish Products in Poti.
EIA report is 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 June 15, 2004.
Public hearing will be held on June 15, 2004 at 12:00, at the conference
hall of the Ministry of Environment.
3. WWF CAUCASUS PROGRAMME OFFICE — VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
WWF Caucasus Programme Office, in co-ordination with the Critical
Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), is looking for a Communications
Officer to plan, develop and co-ordinate the Programme’s internal and
external communications activities.
Position title: Communications Officer,
WWF Caucasus Programme Office
Reports to: WWF Caucasus Programme Head of Communications
1. Major Functions:
Communications Officer is responsible for coordinating and supporting
communications efforts throughout the Caucasus region with the aim of
helping to increase conservation awareness and the profile of both WWF
and CEPF and acts as the focal point for the WWF Caucasus programme on
all issues relating to communications. The major focus of the position
is to act as the WWF Caucasus Programme Office primary liaison with the
news media and partners, including federal agencies, private companies
and NGO partners in regard to publicizing the joint goals, progress and
results of the two programmes. The Communications Officer’s role is to
ensure that the two programs complementary messages, statements, news
and activities are publicized as widely as possible, and to ensure that
there is consistency and coherence in WWF’s national and regional media
outreach and with CEPF’s global communications.
2. = Major Duties and Responsibilities:
In collaboration with the WWF Caucasus Programme Office and CEPF staff
and if required, with the WWF network, develops Communications
Strategies for various projects aimed at assisting WWF Caucasus in the
country and region to better achieve jointly-set conservation milestones
and targets.
Creates stronger presence of WWF to push the elements of its national
and regional work into public perception, and thereby increase its
willingness to support WWF’s conservation goals and targets.
Maintains an attractive and interactive website on
in accordance with WWF International’s web
strategy and linked to relevant partner organizations.
Researches, writes and edits news and feature articles, news releases
and other texts in response to the information requirements of the WWF
network and CEPF. Disseminates this information in an appropriate form
for the relevant target audiences. Dissemination of such material to
news media will be done after consultation with the head of WWF Caucasus
Programme Office’s communications.
Receives and responds to information requests, and, where needed,
arranges for appropriate support from within the WWF Caucasus and CEPF
teams and the WWF network or other organizations to meet requests.
Supports the production and verification of facts in news releases,
video productions or features that deal with the region.
Monitors coverage of various media for relevant issues and informs
interested parties accordingly.
Coordinates and, if required, leads media visits to major field projects
and undertakes duty travel to field projects for the purposes of
researching and producing appropriate materials on specific projects.
Helps establish good internal communications within the WWF Caucasus and
CEPF programmes and across the WWF Network, making best use of tools
such as the WWF intranet and the CEPF newsletter and Web site.
Performs other duties as requested by the head of communications.
3. Working Relationships:
Works with the WWF Caucasus Programme Office and CEPF communications
department in developing communications capacity and strategies. Builds
contacts with media organizations and with governmental and
non-governmental agencies for fostering communications in the region, in
close coordination with the communication departments of WWF Caucasus
Programme Office and
CEPF.
4. Contract & conditions:
The contract will be issued for four years, with a trial period of six
months and regular annual performance reviews.
5. Personal Profile:
1. Knowledge: University degree in journalism, communications or
appropriate field, or comparable experience.
2. Experience: At least three years professional experience as
journalist or press officer. Communications experience in conservation
or environmental issues strongly preferred. Experience of developing
partnerships between wide varieties of organizations to achieve common
goals.
3. Skills and Abilities:
§ A strong interest in the field of nature conservation
§ Strong editorial and writing skills in a variety of styles
§ The ability to work independently and under strict deadlines
§ Good organizational skills, and an ability to work with individuals
from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures
§ Familiar with the Caucasus region
§ Excellent written and spoken English, Russian and Georgian.
§ Excellent inter-personal communications and networking skills, proven
good team working, organizational and management skills, and a lively
and enquiring mind
§ Willingness and ability to undertake travel throughout the region
6. Application:
WWF is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and
minorities are encouraged to apply.
Application letters should be sent with CVs enclosed (only in electronic
format English languages) to: [email protected] or
[email protected] For questions concerning job content please
contact Kakha Tolordava, Head of Communications WWF Caucasus Programme
Office, telephone 33 01 54/55, or email: [email protected]
Closing date for application is the May 18, 2004
Due to the large volume of resumes we receive, only applicants selected
for an interview will be contacted.
4. COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM-EAST
Source: The Messenger, April 30, 2004
Since March 2003 Mercy Corps and its four Georgian partner organizations
(Constants Foundation, Elkana, Curato International Foundation and
Technical Assistance in Georgia) have been implementing a three-year
Community Investment Program-East (CIP-E) initiated and funded by BOP
and its partners at BTC and SCP projects.
On its first anniversary the CIP-E would like t present the summary of
its activities, accomplishments and future plans.
Community Infrastructure Projects: The 32 village along the eastern part
of the pipeline have been grouped into 250 community clusters, the
population in each cluster ranges from 80 to over 5,600. Each community
cluster will implement three infrastructure projects over the three-year
project period. Funding for each community cluster depends on the
population. Larger communities will manage larger project and budgets,
as the infrastructure needs of these communities are greater. The
community contribution will range from 25% for the first round to 45%
for the final round. By the end of the project the total community
contribution for all projects will be over $270,000. Projects
implemented so far, include irrigation, potable water, new school
construction, school rehabilitation, natural gas systems and/or meter
installation and road rehabilitation. Mercy Corps will have the support
of its partner Technical Assistance in Georgia (TAG) for engineering
expertise. The TAG and the community design the project, seek
governmental approval when necessary and monitor the quality of
construction and the timeliness of implementation.
Accomplished: 34 Infrastructure projects have been completed with a
community contribution valued at over $84,000.
Future Plans: Mercy Corps plans for an additional 41 projects to be
completed by the end of year three. Additional types of projects include
the rehabilitation of cultural clubs, electrical systems, agricultural
mills and sports fields. Management of project implementation has
slightly shifted in some communities therefore experienced community
members will be involved as well as new community members. Much has been
learned through the completion of the first round projects and Community
Initiative Groups (CIG) anticipate utilizing their newfound skills for
the smooth implementation of 2nd and 3 rd round projects.
Agriculture and Energy Efficiency Projects: Each of the 25 community
clusters will design a Plan of Action (PoA) that incorporates a
community agricultural/income generation projects, energy efficiency
activities agricultural models and tree planting campaigns. Each
community cluster regardless of its population will have an equal amount
of funds (UD $7,500) to use for the implementation of a community
agricultural/income generation project and/or energy efficiency
activity. PoA agricultural activities so far include winter wheat
production, corn production for animal feed, vegetable seed
distributions and the distribution of plastic and vegetable seeds for
mini-greenhouses. PoA energy efficiency activities include the
distribution of energy efficient stoves, the winterization of public
buildings and training in other energy sources such as biogas. Each
household benefits from these activities by either receiving the
materials directly or by receiving an equal amount of harvest. Mercy
Corps agriculture partner Elkana also has funds for the implementation
of 20 Agricultural Demonstration Models, which include but are not
limited to organic pesticides, winter wheat production, crop rotation,
barely production or composting. They will also provide up to 15
communities with saplings of pine, various fruit or poplar for tree
planting campaigns. Elkana will also provide training to each community
in Energy Efficiency, Organic Farming and General Agro-Technology. Mercy
Corps partner Elkana is involved in all of the CIP-E agricultural
activities.
Accomplished: Twenty PoAs have been approved and activities have started
n six villages. Four Agricultural Demonstration have been established
and eight Tree Planting Campaigns have been completed.
Future plans: The remaining five PoA design will be approved in the
coming months. The PoAs will be implemented over the next two years with
the majority of PoAs incorporating three or four different activities,
which build on each other o increase impact.
Social Service Networks, Medical Training and Medical Point Supply: All
communities will be assessed for needs in the area of health and at last
nine communities will be evaluated for Social Service Networks. These
are primarily elderly communities in isolated areas. Various Medical
trainings will be provided to community members in all communities, as
well as selected staff from functioning Clinics Medical Points. Selected
communities will have Medical Points rehabilitated and supplied with
equipment and drugs. Advocacy activities focused on the local and
central government on behalf of these villages will be carried out in
order to ensure the necessary medical staffing level for these
communities. Mercy Corps partner Curatio International Foundation will
manage this very challenging sector of the program.
Accomplished: Community assessments have been completed in 32 villages
to document the current situation in each community regarding access to
health service, local expertise and the condition and/or existence of
Clinics or Medical Pints. Five Social Service Networks are functioning,
providing access to health services and support to the elderly from
community members. First Aid, Heath Safety & the Environment and Waste
Management trainings have been conducted in all 32 communities.
Future Plans: Additional Social Service Networks will be established in
the remaining villages and advocacy activities will be continue.
Technical Medical Trainings for professional Clinic and Medical Point
staff will be offered to all communities.
Micro-Credit: Group and Individual loans will be available to
communities along the pipeline. These loans range from US $ 50 to 1,500.
Constanta Foundation is very well established in Georgia and they will
manage this activity. There is $ 204,957 directly available for Group
and Individual loans starting in year one through year three. Constanta
Foundation will also bring match to the grant, which will cover overhead
costs including salaries, rent, vehicle, insurances and supplies for the
third year. Many clients pay back their loans and seek additional
funding to continue to increase the size of their business.
Accomplished: 320 new clients and 178 repeat clients received
Micro-loans as members of a group (from BTC/SCP funds) and nine
Individual loans were disbursed totaling over $ 100, 000. However, not
all clients reside in pipeline communities.
Future Plans: Group and Individual loans will continue to be available
and in year two an additional $92,000 will be directly available for
agricultural loans. Constanta Foundation will be self-sustainable by
year three and this lending program is planned to continue long after
CIP-E ends.
Capacity Building: All communities throughout the project period will
receive a variety of trainings that include Action Planning, Proposal &
Budget Preparation, Financial Reporting and Conflict Management. During
the three project cycles communities will acquire additional skills
through their involvement in project implementation including
Leadership, Management, Communication and Organizational Skills as well
as practical understanding of the concepts of accountability and
transparency. A Partners Workshop will be held during the project period
where community leaders can participate in the evaluation and future
planning for the CIP-E. Communities who have been successful in the
management of projects and have proven their ability to work well
together will additional trainings. These trainings include but are not
limited to: Community Based Organization (CBO) Formation, Project Cycle
Management, Project Development/ Proposal Writing for NGOs and CBOs, NGO
Capacity Building, Development and Fund-Raising, Leadership and Team
Building and Marketing for Non-Profits.
Accomplished: 26 Action Planning Meetings held 26 Community Initiative
Groups formed-trainings conducted in Proposal & Budget Preparation,
Financial Reporting and Conflict Mitigation and Management. A Partners
Workshop was held with participants from 21 communities to review
project activities, evaluate the program and plan for future CIP-E
program activities.
Future Plans: Mercy Corps will evaluate community capacity and interest
in pursuing the more formal Cbo type of trainings. Mercy Corps believes
at least ten communities will choose to involve into more structures
organizations. However, the CIP-E goal in that all communities will be
able to continue to mobilize community members, mobilize resources,
advocate to local government an be able to implement additional projects
independently of CIP-E support. This is not dependent upon their being
formally registered.
Technical Training: Mercy Corps believes in providing trainings that
will enable community members to address local infrastructure problems,
prepare potential distress and have selected individuals trained in
basic healthcare. Mercy Corps also encourages community members to
suggest trainings that they would be interested in having conducted in
their village. In each community NGO partners, NGO contractors and/or
Government /Technical Specialists will conduct the following trainings
during the first half of the project period: Effective Communication,
Disaster Preparedness, First Aid, Health Safety & Environmental, Waste
Management, Introduction to Organic Agriculture Methods, Composting of
Waste and Farming Regulations in Georgia. Additional trainings could be
but are not limited to; Economic Opportunities, Immunization, Management
of Chronic Diseases, Eldarly Care and Teach Training.
Accomplished: The following trainings were conducted in each community;
First Aid, Health Safety & Environmental, Waste Management, Disaster
Preparedness, Maternity Care, Child Care, Immunization, Introduction to
Organic Agricultural Methods and Composting of Waste. Communities have
already selected trainings that they want conducted in their villages.
Future Plans: Trainings will continue for communities throughout the
CIP-E project period and these will be both the standard CIP-E trainings
an community sleeted ones. All sectors of the communities benefit
including: medical personnel, farmers, community leaders and business
people.
Tamuna Kvaratskhelia
Special Projects Officer
Mercy Corps
Tbilisi
Tel: (995 32) 25 24 71/1/2/3
5. AZERBAIJAN HOPES TO INCLUDE KAZAKHSTAN IN BTC IN 2004
Source: Interfax, April 28, 2004
Azerbaijan hopes that Kazakhstan will become a participant in the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project in 2004, stated Khalaf Khalafov Azerbaijan
Deputy Foreign Minister at the forum Caspian: Politics, Economics, and
Business in Astana on April 28, 2004.
“At the moment 34 companies from 16 countries are participating in
transport projects in the Caspian region. Azerbaijan considers the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline projects to be the
main ones,” he said.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum projects are “necessary
conditions” for the economic development of the Caspian region and will
strengthen its energy security,” said Mr. Khalafov.
Khalaf Khalafov stated that Azerbaijan shares the position of Kazakhstan
regarding the laying of pipelines along the Caspian seabed.
Kazakh First Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Abuseitov said at the forum
that Kazakhstan is against having to agree laying underwater
communications and pipeline in the Caspian with all of the littoral
states. These issues should be agreed with the Caspian states through
whose sectors they pass, and not with all states in the region, he said.
Kazakhstan hopes to transport 10 million – 20 million tones of oil per
year through the pipeline. The republic produced over 51.3 million tones
of oil and condensate in 2003.
Construction of the 690-km Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline should begin in
the third quarter 2004. The pipeline will transport gas from the
Shah-Deniz field, which has reserves of 625 billion cubic meters of gas
and 101 million tones of condensate.
6. CASPIAN SEA PROBLEMS TO BE DISCUSSED IN KAZAKHSTAN
Source: RBC, April 29, 2004
The next meeting of a special working group on the legal status of the
Caspian Sea will take place in Astana or Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, Senior
Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Kayrat Abuseitov said at the first
international Caspian forum in Astana on April 28, 2004. “We have not
decided on the exact date but we suppose it will be at the beginning of
June,” Abuseitov added. The Caspian states started solving the problem
of the Caspian Sea and it is very important that the sides consider
signing the Caspian Sea convention to be a priority task, Abuseitov
pointed out. However, according to him, complicated issues still remain,
which the sides cannot agree on. According to Abuseitov, negotiations at
the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers are essential and have already
produced results.
7. KAZAKH SECTION OF CASPIAN SEA GETS CLEAN UP
Source: Azernews, 29/04/2004
The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources expressed its concern to
the Kazakh government late in January over the pollution of the Kazakh
section of the Caspian Sea. The ministry told AssA-Irada that the reply
sent from the Kazakh Ministry of Environmental Protection read that oil
spots were observed around some wells on a suspended onshore oil field
while conducting research in the Caspian Sea last December.
8. HIRKAN PRESERVE TO BE ADDED TO UNESCO’S NATURAL HERITAGE LIST?
Source: Azernews, April 28 – May 4, 2004
The Azerbaijani government will present UNESCO with a proposal to
include the Hirkan state preserve in its list of the world’s natural
heritage sites in 2004. Ramiz Abutalibov, head of UNESCO’s Baku office,
told AssA-Irada that the issue would be discussed during a UNESCO
meeting next year. The preserve was founded in 1936 for protection and
research of Hirkan-type plants, including rare species such as iron
trees, oak trees with chestnut leaves, and box trees.
9. BP-AZERBAIJAN CONDUCTS WORKSHOP AT BAKU BUSINESS CENTER
Source: State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, AzerTag,
April 29, 2004
`BP-Azerbaijan’ has conducted a workshop for mass media representatives
at the Baku Business Center. Manager of Social Investments Michael
Hecknbourg updated the audience on the social investing, its kernel and
mechanism of realization. The British Petroleum implementing large-scale
oil and gas projects in some countries and investing in the social
sector tries to assist small and medium enterprises in Azerbaijan and
create possibilities for the population to derive a constant income. A
word `Investment’ is selected not for its meaning but for making
differences from other conceptions in the business sphere. Up to now,
through such NGOs as `Umid’ and `Hayat’ the company sponsored some
projects in education and culture, contributed to the reconstruction of
the infrastructure of the settlements located along the main export
pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and northern pipeline and to opening o f
new jobs.
BP representative reported that the company is going to continue this
mission after constructing BTC oil pipeline and South-Caucasus gas
pipeline.
10. MINISTER AYVAZYAN AT UN 12TH SESSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations
119E 36th street, New York, NY 10016
Tel.: 1-212-686-9079
Fax: 1-212-686-3934
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
May 1, 2004
PRESS RELEASE
Armenia’s Minister for Nature Protection participated at the 12th
session of the Commission on Sustainable Development
>From April 28-30, 2004, the delegation of the Republic of Armenia,
headed by H.E. Vardan Ayvazyan, Minister for Nature Protection,
participated at the High-Level Segment of the 12th session of the
Commission on Sustainable Development, held at the United Nations
Headquarters in New York. The High-Level discussion focused on the issue
of sanitation and human settlements.
During the session Minister Ayvazyan made statements on water and
sanitation, which are considered to be core elements for sustainable
development. In his remarks he noted that the United Nations and its
agencies and funds, as well as international financial institutions
could play an important role in the implementation of national programs
aimed at addressing water and sanitation challenges in the country. He
urged to focus on rehabilitating dated sanitation systems and providing
for new environmentally and ecologically sound technologies. Speaking
about water issues, the Minister noted that Armenia suffered some
serious water problems, including water quality. Much of the water came
from underground, and was of a good quality. By passing through obsolete
water supply systems it loses its quality. Moreover, 50% of the water
entering the system gets lost due to leakage. In 2002, the country had
adopted a Water Code, with a focus on basin management, the first to be
developed and implemented in the South Caucasus. It had helped to
introduce integrated water resource management in the country.
11. ARMENIA COUNTING ON $20 MLN WORLD BANK ROADS LOAN
Source: Interfax, April 30, 2004
The government of Armenia is engaged in loan talks with the World Bank
for $20 million for revitalizing local roadways, First Deputy Transport
and Communications Minister Grand Beglaryan announced at a briefing on
April 29, 2004.
The government has already applied to the World Bank and the amount of
work ahead is being figured out. It will take around $300 million to
revitalize all the country’s local road networks.
12. ANIMAL DEATHS, THREAT TO HUMANS CONTINUE TO PLAGUE VILLAGE
Source: ArmeniaNow.com, April 30 2004
A case of human anthrax infection is believed to have been found in the
Aygabats village of Shirak region. Last week, ArmeniaNow reported an
outbreak of the disease that had caused the deaths of 40 cattle.
On April 27, 2004, villager Harutyun Khachatryan, who had been in
contact with the infected animals, showed symptoms of anthrax infection
and was taken to hospital in Gyumri.
Doctors say Khachatryan is in satisfactory condition, but in the village
tensions are high, as animals continue to die.
“This week the number of dead animals in the village has reached 48,”
says head of the village Gagik Altunyan. “The village is still in
quarantine, members of the committee pay frequent visits and do tests,
but our situation is still unclear.”
The outbreak started after April 15 when animals began to die following
anti-anthrax vaccinations.
The chief veterinary doctor of the republic Anushavan Aghajanyan visited
the village and expressed a preliminary opinion that the reason of the
cattle’s death was anthrax.
A special committee was formed to determine if the cause of the outbreak
was the vaccine. Tests were sent to Moscow for evaluation.
Minister of Agriculture David Lokyan would not reveal the name of the
company producing the vaccine. He did say, however, that if tests proved
the vaccine was faulty, compensation for the villagers would be demanded
of the company.
Sahakyan says that only 15 days ago more than 400 cattle in the Vayk
region were vaccinated with the same vaccine and there have been no ill
effects since.
“The vaccine has been produced during five years by the same scientific
group and during those years we have done 10 million vaccinations of
animals in different regions of the republic,” says Sahakyan. “And
there’s never been such a case. Though it’s true that vaccination time
coincided with the time when animals died, that alone is not enough to
accuse out company. If during five years we provided the vaccine with
absolutely no problems, this already shows for itself.”
Sahakyan says that before the vaccine is administered specialists test
it and that such tests revealed no problems with the medicine applied in
Aygabats.
Doctor of veterinary sciences, Meruzhan Zadayan was among scientists
investigating the Aygabats case and says the vaccine is not to blame.
According to the specialist, the vaccine cannot be used for instance on
animals in the last stages of pregnancy, or during cold or hot weather,
or on exhausted animals. Nor can it be combined with other vaccines. (In
Aygabats at the time of vaccination, nights reached temperatures below
freezing.)
According to Zadayan the anti-anthrax vaccine was used on cows and mixed
with a separate vaccine for another disease.
13. DYING FOR A CIGARETTE: ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN MUST CHANGE MINDS AS
WELL AS HABITS
Source: ArmeniaNow.com, April 30, 2004
An appealing cigarette advertisement placed in newspapers comes with two
cigarettes attached, carefully wrapped in transparent cellophane. That
ad was available to everyone and offered real temptation especially for
teenagers, for whom such material offers an incentive to take up the
smoking habit.
A year ago health care specialists hoped that the adoption of a law
project on cigarettes would introduce restrictions in this area.
However, in March 2004 the National Assembly rejected the law On
Cigarettes for the second time. Cigarette commercials and propaganda got
back on track after that and, according to sales statistics, the number
of smokers started growing.
According to statistics today around 70% of men in Armenia are smokers.
There’s no precise information regarding women since many hide their
addictive habit. However, experts believe that smoking is increasing
rapidly among women, partly out of a popular view that a woman who
smokes is stylish, modern and sexy.
Health care specialists are particularly concerned by the situation
among teenagers, which they say indicates a lack of attention in Armenia
to the seriousness of smoking.
“They smoke everywhere, in cafes, even in buses,” says the chairman of
Human Health charitable organization David Petrosyan. “If you try to
reprimand someone you’ll either be considered a bad person or you’ll get
an ironical smile, since the law defining this field does not exist and
anti-smoking control in Armenia is very weak. And doctors are not ready
to explain to people the real threat of this habit.”
Mr. Petrosyan says that the law On Cigarettes could change the situation
to some degree by beginning to curtail the epidemic of smoking. It
proposed serious restrictions on cigarette advertisement, smoking in
public places and in many aspects of this sphere.
Color advertisements in newspapers and magazines and on TV would have
been prohibited. Smoking would have been banned in schools and at other
institutions for children, while cigarette companies would have been
barred from sponsoring TV and radio programs for youngsters. (A current
law on advertisement places certain restrictions on cigarette
advertisement, but the law has been mostly ignored since the new law was
rejected.)
“Diseases, disablement and mortality from smoking have reached
unbelievable levels among us today. The indexes on lung cancer are
causing concern,” says Petrosyan. “Unfortunately, MPs don’t take the
situation seriously. The draft law was rejected in a similarly unserious
atmosphere, since no one thought that by rejecting law they would not be
elected tomorrow. The public has to change its opinion on this issue.”
Public opinion in Armenia may appear indifferent now, but Alexander
Bazarchyan, the anti-smoking project coordinator at Armenia’s Health
Ministry, says individuals and organizations that are interested in this
issue will do everything to change the situation.
“The law has already been rejected twice but, a year on, the
anti-smoking fight is now pretty active,” says Bazarchyan.
“Non-government organizations, media have become more active, new events
are being organized.”
Mr. Petrosyan says there will be a fresh attempt soon to pass the law in
the National Assembly. He says: “We’re working and doing some
clarifications in that direction. The anti-smoking struggle is not
something of one or two days. At the end of the day, the rights of
non-smokers have to be protected as well.”
A website is being opened () with information and
statistics on smoking in Armenia, and there are plans to publish a book
setting out the real dangers of cigarettes.
14. FORESTRY SCHOOL TO BE ESTABLISHED
Source: ArmenPress, April 30, 2004
Skilled personnel is of crucial importance for implementation of forest
recreation projects in Armenia, while local specialists have not passed
any training in the last 10-15 years, but this gap is going to be
eliminated soon after a forestry school is established, Andranik
Ghulijanian, the head of Forest Research Center told Armenpress.
Mr. Ghulinjanian said an institutional support to forests project is
implemented within Natural Resource Management and Poverty Alleviation
project, funded by Swedish Sida. The project envisages creation of a
regional training center Zikatar. Ghulijanian said Armenian Environment
and Agricultural ministries and the World Bank have approved the
business plan of the center. In the course of a year, preparatory works
will be finished and the center can start its educational program. The
participants will be specialist of Armenian Forestry and students of
Agricultural Academy and Ijevan branch of Yerevan state university
forestry department.
The training of the specialists will contribute to forest recreation in
Armenia allowing to have a thorough data base on Armenian forests.
15. COGNAC AND WINEMAKING IN ARMENIA
Source: Interfax, April 30, 2004
Armenia is one of the oldest winemaking regions, but it is better known
for its cognac, which it began producing in the late 19th century. Today
cognac is a symbol of Armenia and an important export product.
Armenian cognac has always been in high demand in Russia but it is now
becoming popular on new markets and is sold in 25 countries.
Armenian wine is not as popular. After the crisis in the industry that
followed the collapse of the Soviet Union Armenian producers lost their
key market – Russia, but in the wine later began appearing on the
Russian and international markets.
16. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN A FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT
Armenia ratified Aarhus Convention in 2001. But it hasn’t yet been
officially translated into Armenian and published. “Our officials don’t
like Aarhus Convention”, lawyer Aida Iskoyan said at an ecology seminar
on “Ecology Problems and Coverage in Mass Media”, held by OSCE Yerevan
Office and Social Center for Ecological Information. She considers
ratification of the Convention as achievement in such atmosphere.
Convention provides that everyone has the right to get ecological
information. “If an official refuses to give information, he must base
why”, Mrs. Iskoyan says.
Ecology International Academy member, Professor Razmik Petrosyan
stresses the ecological education, adding economic instruments are
necessary for it.
17. SEVAN WANTING WATER
Source; A1 Plus, April 30, 2004
“During 70 years Sevan Lake water level reduced by 41%”, Boris
Gabrielyan, Vice-Director of Hydro-Ecology Institute of National Academy
of Sciences, said during the seminar on ecology held be OSCE Yerevan
Office. {BR}
According to him, water decrease influenced on ecosystem of Sevan Lake.
In particular, the aboriginal fish – koghak, ishkhan and beghlu face the
danger to disappear completely. He says the water quality and level are
the reason of it.
Armenian Authorities announce they are going to raise Sevan water level
by 2 meters whereas the ecologists demand to increase it by 6 meters at
least.
Karine Danielyan, “For Stable Development” Association Chair, thinks one
must give ‘the oligarchs possessing establishments’ on Sevan beach to
understand that they will suffer in both cases if hindering increase of
water level. “If they worry that their properties might appear under
water, they must realize that Sevan eutrophication will continue”, she
explained.
—
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:
CENN Daily Digest – 05/03/2004
www.cenn.org
www.panda.org/caucasus
www.tobaccocontrol.am
www.cenn.org