Category: News

ARMENIAN MINISTRY FOR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION HAS NO DSEFINIT
POLICTY TO WI-FI ACCESS TO INTERNET
YEREVAN, JULY 26. ARMINFO. There is no definite policy of the Armenian
Ministry for Transport and Communication to the mobile radio modem
(Wi-Fi) access to Internet at present. Director of the largest
provider company in Armenia, Arminco, Andranik Aleksanyan told
ARMINFO.
He said that beginning from 2003, the given issue has been a subject
for discussion at several sessions of the IT Development Council
Support (ITDSC) initiated by ITDSC head M.Marosyan. The ministry
submitted a letter to ITDSC that small-capacity WI-FI radio modems
(for example, based on the technology Intel Centrino) can be used
without a relevant permission by the ministry, it is necessary to have
just a certificate on conformity to radio modem equipment. However,
Telecommunications Center CJSC of the Ministry for Transport and
Communications of Armenia is guided with other documents, and in order
to use Intel Centrino technology, it is necessary to calculate
electromagnetic compatibility for each radio modem and to pay for the
services on support of radio-air for the given device.
Job prices for mobile communication on the Intel Centrino technology
have not been established yet. Moreover, in conformity with the
acknowledged practice, it necessary to register all the radiant
devices (except cellular phones) at the TC CSJC and to pay for a
“permission to import.” He said that such an approach contradicts to
the letter of the minister for transport and communications to the
ITDCS, where Intel Centrino is allowed for use without a special
permission of TC CJSC. Such a situation is possible only if the CJSC
charges payment for use of the state property, the spectrum of radio
frequencies. Aleksanyan said that the world practice supposes levying
of the tax for the use of the radio spectrum. As a result, the TC CJSC
has no rights to prevent the illegal activity with use of the radio
spectrum, as it is not a state body. As any CJSC, the TC pursues
profits and development of information technologies is not prior for
it, the director said.
The ministry is an individual property of TC CJSC, which is
responsible for develoment of IT technologies in Armenia and
introduction of WI-FI technologies in Armenia. The contradiction is
supposed to be liquidated due to the newly established Regulating Body
in the sphere of telecommunications after adoption of a new Law on
Communications by the National Assembly of Armenia (in the first
reading in 2003).
At present radio modem can be purchased without permission of the TC
CJSC in any specialized shop, which violates the resolution of the
Armenian Government on the order of purchase of radio emissive
equipment. As a result, the orgnaizations legally importing radio
modems pay for the service of the TC CJSC, while others trade without
a relevant permission and gain super profits. Such a situation casts
doubt on the ability of UNICOMP company to issue and sale computers
with use of Intel Centrino technology, as it requires a license for
issue of radio emissive equipment and a permission for use of the
radio spectrum when producing computers, as well as registration of
each computer at the TC CJSC and its certification by a special
Certifying Body (there are at least two such bodies in Armenia
operating in conformity with the Law on Certification of Armenia) or
at the State Standard. This situation casts doubt on the possibility
of legal introduction of Wi-Fi technology in Armenia.

Slovenian envoy, Armenian minister discuss cooperation with OSCE
Arminfo
26 Jul 04
YEREVAN
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan received today Slovenia’s
permanent representative to the OSCE, ambassador Janez Lenarcic, who
is the would-be chairman of the OSCE’s Permanent Council and is paying
a visit to the region.
Since Slovenia will chair the OSCE in 2005, Lenarcic asked Oskanyan to
brief him on Armenia’s stance regarding cooperation with the OSCE
bodies and its office in Yerevan, the Foreign Ministry’s press service
told Arminfo. The sides also exchanged views on the OSCE’s activity
and missions in various spheres, including those in regions which are
undergoing transition, such as the South Caucasus.
In this connection, the sides noted the OSCE’s peacekeeping role in
resolving conflicts. They positively assessed the role of the OSCE
Minsk Group in settling the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.
Oskanyan commented on a CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States]
statement regarding the OSCE’s activity with a view to conducting
necessary reforms. Armenian representatives in Vienna have repeatedly
raised the issue, Oskanyan said.
Oskanyan also briefed Lenarcic on the process of settling the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict, as well as on Armenian-Turkish relations. During
the meeting Lenarcic was accompanied by Vladimir Pryakhin, head of the
OSCE office in Yerevan, and Andrzej Kasprzyk, the personal
representative of the current OSCE chairman-in-office.

Armenia wants normal trade relations with neighbours – minister
Arminfo, Yerevan
26 Jul 04

Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan, accompanied by a
delegation, paid an official visit to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi,
on 26 June, Armenian news agencies Noyan Tapan and Arminfo reported on
the same day.
Markaryan met his Georgian counterpart, Zurab Zhvania, to discuss
bilateral and regional cooperation.
The Armenian government’s press service told Arminfo that a recent
stepping up of Armenian-Georgian ties had facilitated a high level of
mutual understanding between the presidents of the two countries and
the two prime ministers emphasized the importance of strengthening not
only bilateral, but multilateral, ties.
Andranik Markaryan told Zurab Zhvania about his plans to discuss with
the Georgian president the question of the Tbilisi-Gyumri-Kars railway
and opening the Abkhaz sector of the Georgian railway and using the
Poti-Caucasus rail-ferry crossing. Markaryan stressed Armenia’s
interest in the work of this crossing and wanted to discuss the
possibility of signing a trilateral Armenian-Georgian-Russian
agreement on cooperation.
He also stressed Yerevan’s interest in developing trade and economic
ties in all directions. “Armenia is ready to create normal relations
without pre-conditions with its neighbours, including Azerbaijan and
Turkey,” Arminfo quoted Makaryan as saying.
Zhvania also noted that Georgia was also interested in the speedy
opening of the Abkhaz section of the railway and negotiations were
continuing with Russia. He said Georgian was ready to work to resolve
the issues raised and said that Georgia was planning to build new
ports, which would be privatized, and would welcome Armenia taking
part in the process.
Markaryan and his delegation also took part in the third session of
the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental commission on economic
cooperation which had about 10 points on its agenda, including
cooperation in transport, trade and communications, developing
tourism, legal issues and future development. Markaryan noted
Armenia’s firm interest in further developing both West-East as well
as North-South cooperation, Noyan Tapan agency said.
Arminfo said: “Particular emphasis in the intergovernmental relations
between Armenia and Georgia was placed on implementing the Transport
Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia [TRACECA] project. The commission
members are to turn to the corresponding EU structures with a joint
application for resources to be granted to restore the railway line
between Ayrum and Sadakhlo.”
After the session the two prime ministers signed a document “On the
work of the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental commission on economic
cooperation”.
Sources: Noyan Tapan news agency, Yerevan, in Russian 1640 gmt 26 Jul
04

Armenian provider targets students as users of wireless Internet
Arminfo
26 Jul 04

YEREVAN
Armenia’s largest Internet provider, Arminco, in tandem with the Intel
Corporation, are building the infrastructure in Armenia to introduce
Centrino technology – the wireless Internet, Arminco’s director
Andranik Aleksanyan has said in an interview with Arminfo news agency.
The programme’s main target group are students and therefore Intel’s
concept is to provide as many students as possible with
Centrino-powered laptops, Aleksanyan said. This means opening wireless
Internet hotspots in places where there are many students – in student
cafes and on campuses.
“If we find out that it’s not only students who are interested in the
wireless Internet, then we will ensure that such hotspots are created
all over Yerevan,” Aleksanyan said. As of today, Arminco has opened 50
such hotspots in Yerevan. Altogether they have between 500 and 600
fixed users.
Aleksanyan said that the company’s pricing for Internet services is
standard (except for dial-up links) – five cents per one megabyte of
information. “Whether this is too much or too little is another
matter, but considering the cost for renting the E1 Internet channel
(21,000 dollars per month), this is the minimum that we can get in
Armenia today,” he said. When connecting to a hotspot, the speed of
information transmission per user is 5 megahertz per second.
A radio-modem is installed in the Centrino-powered laptops and it can
provide fixed or mobile Internet connections. The UNICOMP company
produces Centrino laptops in Armenia.

WB TO ALLOCATE CREDIT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL PROGRAM
YEREVAN, JULY 26. ARMINFO. Today Minister for Trade and Social Affairs
of Armenia Aghvan Vardanyan and Head of program of social reforms in
Armenia financed by the WB, A. Posaraki, discussed an investment
agreement “Managerial program in the sphere of social welfare” to be
signed on July 30.
The press-service of the ministry told ARMINFO that the agreement will
be signed between the Armenian Government and the World Bank. The
sides discussed nuances connected with distribution of financial
allowances to unsecured families in 2004-2005. Vardanyan proposed
Posaraki to find a way to solve the problem with distribution of
poverty allowances to lonely pensioners. The sides also discussed
issues related to establishment of communities centers for care for
children from socially unsecured families in the Achapnyak community
of Yerevan and in the town of Gyumri.

CENN — July 27, 2004 Daily Digest
Table of Contents:
1. BP awards contracts for environmental investment Program along the BTC
pipeline route
2. BTC Construction Suspended
3. BP’s pipeline to nowhere: Georgia halts oil giant’s £2.4bn project
4. Who Conserves The World’s Forests?
5. International Resource Award for Sustainable Watershed Management
1. BP awards contracts for environmental investment Program along
the BTC pipeline route
Press Release
BP as operator of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil export pipeline and
South Caucasus (SCP) gas projects is pleased to announce that in June 2004
it has awarded contract to NACRES – Noach’s Arch Center for Recovery of
Endangered Species NGO, to implement the “Ecosystem and Species Conservation
in Georgia: Brown Bear Project”. This is the second contract award in the
framework of the Environmental investment Program (EIP) for the BTC and SCP
projects.
the principal objective of the Environmental investment Program (EIP) is
delivery of actions that are of ebnefit in the promotion and conservation of
biodiversity. The USD 3 mln EIP is divided into number of themes, which were
identified through the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment studies
and trough the process of consultations with the national and international
stakeholders. Themes include: Rare species conservation management;
Sustainable forestry; Capacity building for NGOs, Environmental Education,
etc.
A request for proposals for the rare species conservation management was
publicly issued in late September 2003. Proposals were ought specially for
the Caucasian Black Grouse and Brown Bear conservation management. However
proposals related to other rare species were also considered, if associated
with pipeline. The contract for the Caucasian Black Grouse research,
monitoring and conservation management project was awarded to the Georgian
Center for the Conservation of Wildlife NGO in January 2004.
Through a review process, the Ecosystems and Species Conservation in
Georgia: Brown Bear project was now selected for funding under the above
theme. The grant award for the project is USD 250, 000.
Project activities include estimation of the Brown Bear population
parameters within the Trialeti range, appraisal of current levels of
threats, description of the underlying reasons for loss of bear habitat,
development of a Bear Conservation Action Plan for the Trialeti range,
establishment of basis for community involvement in conservation activities.
The project will be implemented by NACRES Noach’s Arch Center for Recovery
of Endangered Species, an NGO founded in 1989 to research and safeguard
biodiversity, especially endanger species, in Georgia and South Caucasus and
to promote public awareness in the field of environmental protection.
Project activities stared in June 2004 and will finish in May 2006.
We believe that the Environmental Investment Program gives BP and the
selected NGOs a unique opportunity to make a positive difference to the
preservation of Georgia’s wildlife.
For the more information please contact:
Communication Department, BP Georgia
Tel: (995 32) 59 34 00
Fax: (995 32) 59 34 80
2. BTC Construction Suspended
Source: The Georgian Messenger, July 26, 2004
Minister of Environmental Protection and Nature Resources Tamar Lebanidze
decreed that construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyahn oil pipeline be
suspended for two weeks on July 20, 2004.
The suspension affected a 17-km section of construction through the Borjomi
gorge. The reason of suspension is permission and terms issued by the
Ministry of Environmental Protection on November 30, 2004.
The ministry argues that the ninth item of the agreement, which dealt with
safety measures, was not fulfilled.
The economic and political significance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline is high and the temporary time out does not appear to threaten its
completion. The issue is that one section of the pipeline, which passes
through the Borjomi gorge, recently caused a large scandal as many people
express concern that the pipeline will cross a canyon where there is a
unique mineral spring.
In an interview with the newspaper 24-Hours, minister Lebanidze agreed with
the opinion that the pipeline route has been chosen in an incorrect manner.
“If now the issue of choosing the route was on the agenda, we would by all
means choose a different route,” she said.
At that time there were two alternatives: either the pipeline should have
crossed Karakai route or Akhalkalaki route. investors were categorically
against Akhalkalaki route, because of the neighboring Russian military base
and instability in the region.
As for Karakai route, investors thought that it was too expensive. Instead
planners turned to the Borjomi gorge and Shevardnadze’s government agreed on
it provided there would be security guarantees.
The Borjomi gorge is characterized by very rugged terrain and requires
special environmental protection in order to minimize risks, like that from
landslides. Mtavari Gazeti quoted Tamar Lebanidze as saying that BP agreed
to fulfill these conditions in 2002.
But in Lebanidze’s opinion, Shevardnadze’s government should actually have
made every effort for changing the direction of the route in the past.
According to Georgia’s representative on the intergovernmental commission
for Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project implementation, Giorgi Vashakmadze, it will
be impossible to resume pipeline construction as long as all the conditions
are not met.
Lebanidze told Rezonansi that BP obeyed the requirements of the ministry and
it will resume construction in two weeks. Meanwhile, officials say two weeks
is plenty of time to find a solution and that this will not delay the
pipeline’s progress.
3. BP’s pipeline to nowhere: Georgia halts oil giant’s £2.4bn
project
Source: The Observer, July 25, 2004
The government of the former Soviet republic of Georgia has ordered BP to
halt work on a section of a controversial £2.4 billion Caspian oil pipeline
project. The environment minister, Tamar Lebanidze, said the company failed
to provide contractually required environmental information.
Lebanidze said BP should not have started laying the 42 inch-wide pipe until
her government was convinced that BP had in place the best technology to
ensure it could withstand both landslides and terrorist attacks.
BP was on site for just one week in Borjormi before being told to stop.
Borjormi is considered an area of outstanding natural beauty with a mineral
water spring that provides a 10th of Georgia’s exports.
The minister added that she would have rejected the scheme agreed by former
president Edward Shevardnadze, who was forced out of office last November.
Lebanidze fears oil leaks could devastate the region.
At 1,087 miles, the Caspian export pipeline will be the world’s longest,
taking Azerbaijani and Kazakhstani oil through Georgia to Turkey. It is
backed by US President George W Bush, who is keen to reduce US reliance on
Middle Eastern and Russian oil.
James Leaton of the World Wildlife Fund said: ‘BP considers itself above the
law on this project and has no respect for the environment.’
The news will take the gloss off BP second-quarter results, out this week.
Net profits could beat last quarter’s record £2.64 billion.
4. WHO CONSERVES THE WORLD’S FORESTS?
Source: IUCN, July 26, 2004
Indigenous peoples and other communities who live in and around the world’s
tropical forests often are as effective as their national governments at
conserving forests, and are outspending foreign donors by as much as two to
one, according to a new study by Forest Trends, an IUCN member organization
based in Washington, D.C. The announcement comes as delegates from 59
nations gather in Geneva to debate the renewal of the International Tropical
Timber Agreement. Speaking at a press briefing last Thursday, Stewart
Maginnis, Head of the IUCN Forest Conservation Programme, commented: “These
often very poor communities are making the same levels of investment, at a
minimum, perhaps a lot more, in conserving these areas, as developing
country governments.” Some 240 million indigenous and local community
peoples own and manage about one fifth of the world’s tropical forests, and
invest US$ 1.2 billion to 2.6 billion a year in forest management and
conservation, according to the study.
5. International Resource Award for Sustainable Watershed
Management
As one of the world’s leading reinsurers, Swiss Re has committed itself to
supporting the planning, evaluation and implementation of water-related
projects with the aim of promoting awareness and encouraging the efficient
use of this precious resource. To support and encourage water-related
initiatives, in April 2002 Swiss Re launched the ReSource Award for
Sustainable Watershed Management. On 5 April 2004, Peter Forstmoser,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Member of the Executive Board Walter
Anderau presented the 2003 award and launched the 2004 award at Swiss Re’s
Centre for Global Dialogue in R?schlikon. The award is worth USD 100,000 in
total and is granted to one or several projects selected by an international
jury. It is conferred annually.
What is the idea behind the award?
Access to water supply and sanitation is a fundamental human need. Human
beings and nature need it for their very survival. But water is a threatened
resource. The increasing pollution of the world’s water reserves, the
growing frequency of water shortages, the exploding world population and
resulting demand for water – not to mention risks arising from climate
change (eg changing water cycles) – are presenting a major threat to the
natural environment, human health, food production and the economy in
general.
The word “source” denotes origin and purity; it projects dynamism and even
mystical power. All water stems from a source: this is where rivers and
streams begin their life before embarking on the most diverse of journeys.
As the Chinese saying goes: “All water has a source and every tree a root.”
Strong leadership and community involvement are essential in preserving and
nurturing our water (re)sources. But there are a number of obstacles to be
overcome before a project of this kind can get off the ground. Swiss Re
established the International ReSource Award for Sustainable Watershed
Management in an attempt to actively support the planning, evaluation and
implementation of water-related projects with the aim of promoting awareness
and encouraging the efficient use of this precious resource. Swiss Re is
convinced that this commitment will attract further funds dedicated to
preserving water supplies.
For the more detailed information please visit:
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:

US experts happy with “election process” in breakaway Karabakh
Arminfo, Yerevan
26 Jul 04
STEPANAKERT
International experts are closely following the situation in Nagornyy
Karabakh and have not registered any violations in the election
process over this period, the president of the Project on Transitional
Democracies and the head of the US Senate Committee on NATO, Bruce
Jackson, said at a meeting several days ago with the head of the
Central Electoral Committee CEC of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic NKR,
Sergey Davidyan. Jackson was on a one-day visit to Stepanakert.
Our Arminfo correspondent reports from Stepanakert that during the
meeting, Davidyan familiarized the guests with the NKR’s election
law. He said that the referendum on independence and a number of
presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections have been held in
Nagornyy Karabakh since the republic was proclaimed in 1991. Davidyan
informed the experts about preparations for the upcoming elections to
local government bodies on 8 August. Davidyan said that the NKR
adheres to democratic values, and the conduct of free and fair
elections was only a mechanism for forming legitimate authorities in
the republic.
According to the CEC, 375 candidates for community leaders have been
registered in the NKR. Commissions have registered 1,582 of the 1,708
candidates for membership of the councils of elders. Ten people have
been nominated for mayor of Stepanakert, however, only six candidates
are continuing the struggle at the moment, while 46 of the 52
candidates for membership of the council of elders have been
registered.

Baku Not Quite Sure On What the Word `Compromise’ Means
Baku Today
27/07/2004 18:48
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on Tuesday
said his government is not quite sure on what the OSCE’s Minsk group
co-chairs meant by ` compromise,’ a word they uttered frequently while
their last visit to the region.
Mammadyarov told ANS that during his recent visit to the United States
he asked Stephen Mann, the US co-chair of the Minsk group, to express
precisely what they mean by the word.
`I told him that the most important issue for Azerbaijan is its
territorial integrity. If you think of another compromise beyond that,
make sure what idea it is exactly,’ the Foreign Minister told ANS.
Mammadyarov added that his country is currently waiting to hear from
the co-chairs.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri foreign minister asks mediators to specify Karabakh compromises
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
27 Jul 04
[Presenter] Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov insisted
during his visit to Washington that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen
specify their position on the Karabakh settlement. He said that
although the co-chairmen call on the conflicting sides to make
compromises, the Baku government still does not know what they are all
about.
[Correspondent over video of Mammadyarov] The Baku government has
asked the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to clarify what compromises
they are calling for. Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan would not
compromise on one issue – its territorial integrity.
[Mammadyarov speaking to journalists] What these compromises are all
about, we cannot understand precisely. Truth to tell, when I was in
Washington and discussed this issue with [US co-chairman of the OSCE
Minsk Group] Steven Mann, he said the same thing about the
compromises. I said, you know, territorial integrity is very important
for Azerbaijan. Please specify what compromises you are talking about
outside this issue. Now we are waiting, let them clarify it. Then we
can say what compromises we can make.
[Correspondent] Mammadyarov also spoke about the Austrian state
printing company printing the Karabakh separatists’ currency. He said
that the government is seriously dealing with this issue.
[Mammadyarov] We are examining this because, you know, the Foreign
Ministry, cannot take a decision immediately. Of course, we have to
examine and we are seriously dealing with this issue at the moment.
[Correspondent] As for missing officer Firuz Qasimov who represented
our country at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Mammadyarov said
that nothing is known about his fate yet. But Mammadyarov said that
criminal proceedings have been instituted into the case at the
Azerbaijani Prosecutor-General’s Office. In addition, he said that our
embassy in Belgium and the Belgian Foreign Ministry are in control of
this affair on a daily basis.
Farida Agaverdiyeva and Dilqam Mirzayev for “Son Xabar”.

“LIGHT TO ARMENIAN’S EYES” ACTON TO BE HELD IN SYUNIK
KAPAN, July 26 (Noyan Tapan). The “Project of Armenian Ophthalmology”
benevolent organization will hold the benevolent action “Light to
Armenian’s Eyes” action in the Syunik region from July 28 to August 7
with the purpose of the prophylaxis of acquired blindness among the
population. A group of ophthalmologists organize reception of patients
in Kapan, Goris, Sisian and Meghri, as well as in a number of rural
communities. The primary diagnostics of patients will be held, and the
patients will be sent for treatment in a mobile hospital or in other
medical establishments if necessary. Operations will be performed in
the mobile hospital situated in the town of Goris free of charge for
vulnerable people.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress