MONUMENT FOR VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE ERECTED IN LARNACA,
CYPRUS
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10. ARMINFO. Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan and PACE President Rene van der Linden discussed the
process of Constitutional reforms in Armenia in New York. Speaker
Baghdasaryan stays on an official visit to the USA.
The Armenian Parliamentary press-service reports to ARMINFO that Rene
van der Linden stressed the importance of an extensive propaganda
before the national referendum. He also stressed the importance of the
efficiency of the reforms.
In New York, Arthur Baghdasaryan met with a number of Czech, Swiss,
Japanese, Brazilian and Jordanian colleagues. These official meetings
resulted in agreements on establishment of inter-parliamentary ties of
Armenia and the above states. Arthur Baghdasaryan expressed confidence
in considerable contribution of these ties to developing bilateral
cooperation in different spheres and to the right perception of the
problems concerning Armenia at international organizations. Armenian
Speaker and Head of the House of Representatives of Cyprian Parliament
Demetris Christofias agreed to erect a Monument for the victims of
Armenian genocide in ottoman Turkey in 1915 in Larnaca.
Arthur Baghdasaryan return to Yerevan after his meetings in New York.

Georgian president outlines three-stage development strategy
Imedi TV, Tbilisi
9 Sep 05
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has said that his government is
following a “three-stage programme” of the country’s development. At
his first news conference after the summer holiday season, broadcast
by Imedi TV and other Georgian networks, Saakashvili said that the
first stage of the programme focused on reforming the “state
apparatus”. The purpose of the second stage is to implement major
infrastructure and energy projects. The third stage will create more
jobs and lead to economic prosperity, Saakashvili said. All three
stages of the plan serve the “ultimate” goal of “uniting Georgia”, he
noted.
Answering a question about the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia, Saakashvili said that finding a “new form of relations with
Russia” was crucial to resolve the conflicts. He also stressed that
“for the first time in many years”, the United States had “expressed
its readiness to get directly involved in the settlement of conflicts
in Georgia”. Saakashvili also commented on the situation in Ukraine
and the freedom of press in Georgia. The following is an excerpt from
the live broadcast by Imedi TV on 9 September; subheadings have been
inserted editorially:
Three-stage programme
[Presenter] In a few minutes, the Georgian president will hold a news
conference in the State Chancellery for Georgian and foreign
journalists. Now we will go live to the State Chancellery.
[Saakashvili] Hello everyone. I am very glad to see your relaxed
faces. I hope you had good holidays over the summer. I have not held a
news conference for a few months and I think you have questions. I
also want to review recent developments.
Probably all of you travelled around Georgia in the summer and noticed
many changes happening in our country. If you visited the Black Sea
coast and went there by car, you could not fail to notice that for the
first time in the last 15 years there were no potholes on the road
from Tbilisi to the coast. The road has been repaired. If you
travelled by train, you could see a new, comfortable Ukrainian train
on which my family and I travelled, too. If you visited Borjomi, you
could see the most beautiful and modern park in the former Soviet
Union, although it still needs some improvements. [Passage omitted:
says the number of tourists at Georgian resorts this summer reached
the level of the late 1980s, says the national university entrance
tests were a great achievement]
I would like to say that we are following a plan. We should understand
that we are not doing anything in a chaotic way. From the very first
day we came to power, we had a plan of what to do. The first stage was
reforming the state apparatus. Nothing could be changed in this
country without a state apparatus. We started our purge from the
chancellery, police, prosecutor’s office, tax department, and our
armed forces have been created from scratch. Reforming the state
apparatus was the first stage, there could be no changes without
that. We spent the first year on the new patrol [police] force, new
ministries, a new tax service which has resulted in a manifold
increase in the collection of taxes, so now we have some money to
spend.
The second stage of our development, which started this year, in the
spring, is about creating infrastructure in Georgia, roads and energy
facilities.
[Passage omitted: talks about road construction projects in various
parts of Georgia, repair works on hydropower plants and other energy
projects]
When we finish this second stage, although this is a permanent
process, because the new highways will need repairs, and electricity
consumption will be constantly rising, but as soon we have these two
stable factors against the background of very low corruption, our main
task will be economic development in general and creation of
jobs. This is the third stage of our reforms. This is a three-stage
programme. [Passage omitted: explains that new jobs cannot be created
without stable energy supplies] If our business sector is also active,
we will be able to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs through
cooperation between the state and the business community. [Passage
omitted: repetition]
These three stages will enable us to achieve our main goal, the
unification of Georgia. It will be possible only if we pass these
three stages in a correct and timely manner. [Passage omitted: says
that state investments in health care, the pension system and sports
facilities will continue, stresses the importance of integration of
the ethnic Armenian-populated Javakheti region] A few days ago the
Gonio firing range was handed over to us [by Russia]. It went almost
unnoticed. You may remember that when I first raised this issue in
Batumi a year ago, many people in one of our neighbouring countries
described my statement as an act of provocation. They said it was
impossible and it would never happen. So, less than a year has passed
since then, and the Georgian flag is already there. We have recovered
several hundred hectares of excellent beaches. We have restored
Georgia’s sovereignty over this land. Now we are building a new
international airport nearby, in Batumi, and we are building another
international airport in Tbilisi.
This is what I wanted to say. Now I am ready to answer your hostile
questions [smiles].
Ukraine
[Question] Irma Gegechkori, Imedi TV. Will the current government
crisis in Ukraine affect Georgian-Ukrainian relations? Have you spoken
to President Viktor Yushchenko on the phone?
[Saakashvili] Yushchenko is my friend. In general, the situation in
Ukraine will of course affect the situation in Georgia because
Georgia’s revolution and its development after the revolution would
have been impossible without Ukraine’s success. Ukraine is helping us
politically. It is very important. You know that we have made a
historic decision to create a new coalition of democratic
states. Georgia and Ukraine have now been joined by Lithuania. We are
working with other countries. Poland is actively involved too. By
taking these steps, Georgia will obtain international guarantees to
protect the country’s integrity, our freedom and development
prospects.
We have close economic relations and we cooperate in many other,
sensitive spheres too. Therefore, Ukraine’s success is our success.
Ukraine’s failure would negatively affect Georgia. I believe that
Viktor Yushchenko’s decision was very brave. I have excellent
relations with [former Prime Minister] Yuliya Tymoshenko as well, but
Viktor Yushchenko is the main player there. His courageous decision
cannot but bring about good results. He said that he was going to
consolidate the government as a united team. We do not have this
problem in Georgia. Our government has always been united. It seems
that there were certain problems in Ukraine, as the president himself
said. I cannot say more.
I just want to say that in my opinion Ukraine has enormous
potential. Their success is absolutely crucial for us.
I think that Ukraine has a great future. For us, it is so important
what is happening there, their revolution was so important, our
friendship is so important that sometimes I find it hard to believe
that this is really happening.
God save us from something going wrong there. I am an optimist because
I know these people. I know Viktor Yushchenko. He has great
potential. He is very competent and principled man. I also know that
he and I are stuck in the throats of many people, so to speak, you can
see it every day, but they will not be able to harm us. Everything
will be all right.
Separatist conflicts, Russia’s role, possible US involvement
[Question] Malkhaz Oniani, Public TV. According to the Georgian
authorities, the process of militarization in Abkhazia and the
Tskhinvali region [South Ossetia] has become more active. If this is
true, is there any threat of destabilization? Is it possible that
Georgia may reject the current peacekeeping format? Are you going to
propose a new peacekeeping format at the UN General Assembly in New
York?
[Saakashvili] Of course we are closely watching developments in
Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. I have to say that the ongoing
process of militarization there, which, let’s say things as they are,
Russia is facilitating, and the process of handing over new arms is a
very unfortunate fact. I don’t think this is in Russia’s
interests. This is a response to Georgia’s strengthening and
development in general.
I think that we should find a new form of relations with Russia. Among
other things, I think that in connection with the conflict in South
Ossetia [changes tack] There is no Ossetian problem in Georgia. There
is a problem in Georgian-Russian relations with respect to certain
territories. I have repeatedly said that Russia is a great country
with lots of territories, but its borders certainly do not lie on the
Inguri river or the Ergneti market. Russia too knows this very
well. We have to clarify our relations with respect to these
territories. I am certain that we can organize a high-level
international conference on South Ossetia with the participation of
the Americans. For the first time in many years, the Americans have
expressed their readiness to get directly involved in the settlement
of conflicts in Georgia. We are ready to take part in the high-level
conference, together with the Americans, the OSCE and the Russians,
which will finally resolve the issue of a peaceful settlement in this
region. This will be the first stage.
The main goal of my life is Abkhazia. I am not going to slow down, we
are working on this very actively, too. [Passage omitted: says that
time is on Georgia’s side and that Ajaria should become an example for
Abkhazia, recalls how Georgian police managed to arrest “terrorist
suspects” in South Ossetia]
We are no longer afraid. We know it and they know too that we are able
to respond to any act of provocation. However, we will do everything
we can to avoid armed confrontation. Unfortunately, while Georgia and
our allies in Washington and elsewhere are actively working on this,
the other side is not yet working on this issue. I raised this issue
in my conversation with [Russian] President Putin. Now we are waiting
for a more pragmatic answer from them.
These territories cannot be kept outside Georgia’s sovereignty, that
is not achievable. Any attempts to draw parallels with other countries
will fail.
These territories are parts of Georgia, they were parts of Georgia and
they are parts of Georgia today in the eyes of the whole world, and
they will always be. So, the sooner these problems are resolved, the
better for everyone. On the other hand, the stronger we are, the
sooner these problems will be resolved. Time is on our side. We are in
a hurry, I am in a hurry. As you know, I am not a very patient man,
but it turns out that my team-mates and myself, you and our public
have a lot more patience than others thought. It is not easy to drag
us into any kind of provocation. So, we are growing, but, on the other
hand, everything has an end.
A few days ago I visited [the village of] Anaklia [in Zugdidi
District]. I was simply interested to see the excellent beach there. I
travelled on a motor boat from Kobuleti and then some fishermen helped
us. I was there with one of my bodyguards. The population received us
very well. For the first time this year, the number of people visiting
Anaklia doubled or tripled, just like in Ajaria, although conditions
in Anaklia are worse. There is a post of the Russian peacekeeping
force there, near the family which I was visiting, in the centre of
Anaklia, in a former sanatorium. I did not notify anyone in
advance. So, when these soldiers saw that we were there, they were put
on alert and assumed combat positions. It was quite funny to look at
them, you know, but this is absurd. This is Georgian territory, but
when the Georgian president arrives, troops are put on alert. You can
see what kind of situation we have inherited.
Therefore, we, together with Russia, should resolve this problem and
get out of this embarrassing and inexplicable situation. We want to
resolve everything peacefully, but, as you know, every issue in
history has its dialectic and logic. Just as we resolved the issue of
the pullout of the Russian bases, we will resolve all other
controversial issues between Georgia and Russia.
These issues were not created by the current Russian leadership or by
us.
However, these problems have become deeper as a response to Georgia’s
strengthening.
But these problems will be resolved. [Passage omitted: repetition] I
repeat, for the first time, the Americans have said that they will get
directly involved in the peace process. This has been published in the
foreign press. Our partners in Russia know this too. So, we all should
be working together on this issue. The status quo cannot be
maintained. Everything should be resolved peacefully and we will
prevent acts of provocation, but the status quo cannot be
maintained. If someone thinks that they can keep us under their feet
as long as these problems are unresolved, they are very
wrong. Everyone with common sense understands this.
[Passage omitted: answering the next question, Saakashvili says that
the increase in fuel prices is a major concern not only for Georgia
but also for the whole world]
Media freedom
[Question] Rusiko Machaidze, Rezonansi newspaper. Mr President, you
have described Georgia’s achievements over the past year, but in
recent months pressure on the freedom of expression has emerged as the
main problem. What can you say about that?
[Saakashvili, smiles] I want to tell you that I am proud of the
freedom of the press in Georgia. Moreover, democracy is the best
system generally, for the whole world, and especially for our country
because our people are very smart. Why is democracy the best system?
Because smart and gifted people can realize their abilities well while
fools can express their foolishness very well too. This is an ideal
situation. Why should one keep fools from expressing their
foolishness? [Passage omitted: says that the authorities will only
benefit if fools are allowed to reveal their stupidity]
By the way, I want to tell you a story I heard from a journalist. What
is the difference between some Russian TV channels and your [Georgian]
channels?
When a person in a Russian province watches TV, he thinks: Well, I’m
not doing particularly well, I don’t feel well, roads are not being
repaired around here and the economy is not developing, but at least
the country as a whole is doing well, so I am happy. When our people
watch Georgian channels, they think: Well, roads have been repaired,
my pension or salary is paid on time and increasing, my children’s
school has been refurbished, and I enjoyed good holidays this year,
but the situation in the country seems so awful. That’s the difference
[laughing]. You know that this is true. This is an ordinary
situation. In a democracy the press is always hunting for negative
stories.
[Passage omitted: recalls his meeting with a Tbilisi pensioner,
general comments on the importance of free media for democracy;
answering a “BBC question” from unidentified journalist – “who runs
your world?” – Saakashvili says that his fate is in the hands of the
Georgian people]

US organization denies conducting opinion poll in Azerbaijan
Turan news agency
9 Sep 05

Baku, 9 September: Chris Stewart, Gallup’s global brand manager, has
denied Azerbaijani media reports alleging that an opinion poll had
been conducted in this country.
Chris Stewart said in a statement forwarded to Turan news agency that
a number of Azerbaijani media outlets reported that Gallup had
allegedly conducted an opinion poll ahead of the election. “There has
been no such opinion poll.
This is not true. Gallup and its sections have not conducted opinion
polls in Azerbaijan. We are not planning to conduct opinion polls
before the election or exit polls on election day,” the statement
said.
[Passage omitted: the conduct of opinion polls requires organizational
work] On 11 May 2005, Azartac state news agency reported that the US
Gallup Organization had conducted opinion polls in Azerbaijan, Georgia
and Armenia to find out the ratings of the leaders of a number of
countries. According to the same source, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev’s popularity rating is 77 per cent.

ARMENIAN AMERICANS JOIN COALITION “AGAINST GENOCIDE” IN RALLY IN FRONT
OF WHITE HOUSE
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10. ARMINFO. Armenian Americans joined today with a
thousand activists brought together by Africa Action and a broad-based
coalition of religious, ethnic, and human rights groups at a White
House rally calling for decisive U.S. action to end the genocide in
the Darfur region of Sudan, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA.). The demonstration marked a year of inaction by the
Administration following the President’s declaration that a genocide
is taking place in Darfur. The aim of the gathering was to kick off a
period of renewed activism by people of conscience across the country
to encourage the President to take every step necessary to ensure an
urgent multinational intervention to provide security to the people of
Darfur. To date, over 400,000 people have been killed; hundreds are
dying every day and hundreds of thousands more are at risk in the
coming weeks and months unless urgent action is taken.

Pan Armenian News
BAGHDASSARYAN TOOK PART IN WORLD SUMMIT OF PARLIAMENT HEADS
10.09.2005 04:38
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Chairman of the National Assembly of Armenia Artur
Baghdassaryan has taken part in the World Summit of Parliament Heads in New
York. The session discussed issues referring to the challenges like poverty,
corruption, fight against terror. All those addressing the meeting noted the
importance of participation of parliaments in the solving of those issues.
During a discussion of the role of parliaments in promoting democracy the
chair of the Armenian Parliament made a statement. Advancing `strong
parliament, strong democracy’ slogan, A. Baghdassaryan noted the importance
of the role of parliaments in promoting democracy. He also held a number of
bilateral meetings. In the course of a meeting with Russian State Duma
Chairman Boris Gryzlov Armenian-Russian relations, as well as matters of CIS
reform were discussed. A. Baghdassaryan and Chairman of the Italian
Parliament Ferdinando Casini discussed matters of interparliamentary
cooperation, as well as that within international organizations. With
Speakers of Belgium Ann-Marie Lizin, Slovakia Pavol Hrusovsky, Georgia Nino
Burjanadze matters of their coming official visits to Armenia on A.
Baghdassaryan’s invitation were discussed. The Armenian Speaker also met
with Lithuanian Parliament Chairman Arturas Paulauskas, Belarus Speaker
Vladimir Konoplyov, Kyrgyz Parliament Chairman Oburbek Tekebayev, Israeli
Knesset Chair Reuven Rivlin. Bilateral cooperation matters were discussed in
the course of those meetings.

Pan Armenian News
ELECTRICITY EXPORT FROM ARMENIA TO GEORGIA TO RESUME
10.09.2005 05:25
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ TELASI Tbilisi electric power distribution company today
resumes electricity supplies from Armenia to Tbilisi. Up to 70 MW electric
power will be provided to the city at light hours, while 100 MW at darkness
hours. The electric energy will be supplied to Georgia via Alaverdy power
transmission line, which is rented by RAO UES of Russia. It should be
reminded that import from Armenia was stopped this spring. 75% of TELASI
shares, as well as the 9th and 10th energy blocks of the Tbilisi power
station are owned by RAO UES. Simultaneously, Khrami 1 and Khrami 2
hydroelectric power stations are managed by RAO UES of Russia.

Armenian jet reportedly violates Azeri air space
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
10 Sep 05

At 1120 [0620 gmt] today, an Armenian jet flew over [Azerbaijan’s
occupied] Agdam District for several minutes, the Karabakh bureau of
the “Son Xabar” news programme reports that the jet approached the
positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces.
Military units sounded the alarm, however, the jet soon turned back
from the contact line of the troops. The press service of the Defence
Ministry reports that they have no information about this.

USA: Cypriot, European Speakers discuss Cypriot issue
Cyprus News Agency, Nicosia
9 Sep 05
NEW YORK
In the framework of the Second World Conference of Speakers of
parliaments in New York, Cyprus House of Representatives President
Dhimitrios Khristofias attended a meeting of presidents of Parliaments
of Small States of Europe.
On the occasion of the discussion for citizenship, Khristofias
referred to the situation in Cyprus and underlined that as a result of
the ongoing Turkish occupation, Cyprus faces the problem of the
presence of 130,000 of Turkish settlers, in violation of the
international law.
Khristofias underlined that the presence of the settlers is a
violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic
of Cyprus.
Presidents of parliaments who took the floor afterwards expressed
their solidarity with the efforts for a just settlement of the Cyprus
question that will secure the interests both of Greek Cypriots and
Turkish Cypriots.
Cyprus, Malta, Luxembourg, Andorra, Iceland, Monaco, San Marino and
Liechtenstein comprise the small states group. The eight countries
decided to hold a conference of parliaments of the small states of
Europe to take place in Monaco in spring and referred to the issues
that will probably be discussed at the conference.
Khristofias met the president of the parliament of Armenia, Artur
Bagdasaryan, with whom he reviewed the course of the two parliament’s
relations especially as regards the implementation of the cooperation
protocol signed in Yerevan last November.
The two speakers also agreed the further exchange of visits between
the two parliaments.
Khristofias briefed his Armenian counterpart on the latest
developments in the Cyprus question and Bagdasaryan briefed
Khristofias on problems Armenia faces with Turkey.
They also reaffirmed the friendly relations between the people of the
two countries on the basis of common principles.
Khristofias also met with his counterparts of other countries.
During his meetings yesterday with the presidents of the Parliaments
of Malta and Luxembourg it was decided that the Cyprus House and these
countries would further enhance their relations, in the framework of
the exchange of visits.

PRESS RELEASE

Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
09 Sept 05
Late in the evening of September 5th the president o NKR Arkady
Ghukassian met with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the foreign minister
of Slovenia Dimitrij Rupel who had just arrived in Yerevan from
Baku. This was their second meeting this year. Mr. Rupel reasserted
the standpoint of the OSCE to reach a rapid resolution of the Karabakh
conflict preventing resumption of war. He said his meetings with the
Azerbaijani government in Baku prove that the Azerbaijani side adopted
a constructive standpoint. According to Dimitrij Rupel, the atmosphere
around the talks is positive, which may enable the parties to move
ahead. President Ghukassian noticed that although the Karabakh party
is acquainted with the content of the meetings of the presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, as it does not take part in the talks
directly, it judges about the atmosphere by the statements of the
parties. The president of Nagorno Karabakh Republic emphasized that
the government of Azerbaijan is again making militaristic statements
after the recent meeting in Kazan and defies any contact with Nagorno
Karabakh, which means that Azerbaijan, in fact, is not ready for a
resolution based on compromise. Arkady Ghukassian mentioned that the
participation of Karabakh in the talks, as well as direct contact
between the societies of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan will enable
to create an atmosphere of trust between the sides. The president said
Nagorno Karabakh Republic is ready to assume responsibility for the
future of the state and the people and walks its way, anticipating the
same from Azerbaijan.
AA.
09-09-2005

A Statistical Look at Katrina Aftermath
.c The Associated Press
A look at key numbers reflecting the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina:
DEATH TOLL:
Deaths reported by state and local officials as of Saturday:
Alabama: 2
Florida: 14
Georgia: 2
Louisiana: 154
Mississippi: 211
Total: 383
FEDERAL AID:
Congress has approved $62.3 billion for relief and recovery, with
billions more expected to be needed in months and years to
come. Federal government is spending more than a $1 billion a day on
relief effort.
NATIONAL GUARD:
National Guard has deployed 50,000 troops: Louisiana has more than
30,000; Mississippi more than 15,000; and Alabama about 800. About
17,000 active-duty troops also have been sent to the area.
AFFECTED AREA:
90,000 square miles.
POPULATION AFFECTED:
Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates nearly 293,000 homes
damaged or destroyed.
More than 1 million people left their homes, and 163,000 residents of
Louisiana are in shelters, FEMA estimates.
Baton Rouge became Louisiana’s largest city nearly overnight as more
than 100,000 rescue workers and evacuees joined pre-storm population
of 412,000. Mayor’s office said population is likely to reach 800,000
and possibly 1 million.
CENSUS BUREAU STATISTICS:
Estimated 9.7 million residents of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi
experienced hurricane-force wind. About 2.1 million people in those
three states lived below the poverty level. About 4.9 million people,
or about 41 percent of the population, lived in coastal areas.
UTILITIES:
As of Saturday, more than 427,000 Louisiana customers still had no
power, said state emergency officials. More than 2,600 had no power in
Mississippi, said the utility Entergy.
Estimated 24,000 Louisiana customers lacked natural gas service and
about 500,000 had no phone service.
ECONOMIC LOSSES:
Paul Getman, chief executive officer of Economy.com, estimates
economic losses at $175 billion, including damage to homes, businesses
and infrastructure, as well as disrupted economic activity and larger
energy bills.
Economy.com estimates that consumer prices in the second half of the
year will increase by 3.2 percent on an annualized basis. That’s up
from a pre-hurricane estimate of a 2.5 percent increase.
INSURANCE:
Katrina could cost the insurance industry up to $60 billion in claims,
a leading risk assessment firm, Risk Management Solutions of Newark,
Calif., said Friday. Estimates by other risk modeling firms range from
$17 billion to $25 billion. In today’s dollars, Hurricane Andrew in
1992 caused nearly $21 billion in insured losses.
EDUCATION:
Estimated 170,000 public school students displaced in Louisiana and
Mississippi. In coastal areas, about 75 percent of schools sustained
significant damage.
American Council on Education estimates that 75,000 to 100,000 college
students in the New Orleans area were affected by the storm.
PHILANTHROPY:
Charitable giving to hurricane victims has reached nearly $700
million, charities reported.
RED CROSS:
Estimates it will need about $1 billion for initial relief efforts in
affected areas. As of Friday, it had received $503 million in gifts
and pledges. By comparison, a week after tsunami devastated parts of
South Asia last December, the Red Cross had raised $79.2 million. In
the two months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Americans
donated $534 million to the organization.
Has 39,000 relief workers in place, has served more than 6 million hot
meals and 5.9 million snacks, and has operated 675 shelters, housing
more than 160,000 people in 23 states.
Has distributed more than $5 million in benefits to refugees at the
Houston Astrodome, handing out more than 1,400 debit cards an hour
that are worth up to $2,000 per household. FEMA also started giving
out debit cards at shelters in Texas, but decided Friday to switch to
bank accounts.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE:
FEMA has offered up to $2,000 per household at a cost of $640
million. More than 347,800 families have registered to receive the
money.
More than 20,000 evacuees have applied for some form of public
benefits in the metro Atlanta area alone in the past week.
OIL AND ENERGY:
Facilities in Gulf region account for 1.5 million barrels a day, or 29
percent of domestic oil production.
Natural gas prices could increase as much as 71 percent in parts of
the United States this fall, raising the prospect of higher home
heating costs this winter, according to the Energy Department.
Domestic oil production should return to just under 5.4 million
barrels a day in November, the level before Katrina, the Energy
Department said.
NEW ORLEANS FLOODING:
About 80 percent of New Orleans was flooded. The city, home to about
484,000 people, sits 6 feet below sea level on average.
Corps of Engineers said as of noon Friday the city was slowly being
drained by 32 of the usual 148 pumps, plus 38 portable pumps, pushing
nearly 12,000 cubic feet of water per second, roughly equal to more
than 430 Olympic-size swimming pools per hour.
Most of New Orleans could be drained by Oct. 2, the eastern area and
suburban Chalmette should be above water by Oct. 8, and it will
probably take another 10 days to drain Plaquemines Parish, the Corps
of Engineers said Friday.
AGRICULTURE:
Direct agricultural losses are estimated at $1 billion, according to
Terry Francl, senior economist for the American Farm Bureau
Federation. He says full extent of damage may not be known for weeks,
and agriculture could suffer another $1 billion in losses because of
higher fuel prices and supply disruptions.
JOBS:
Labor Department reports that roughly 10,000 workers filed for
unemployment benefits last week after losing their jobs as a result of
Katrina. Analysts said that number would have been higher except the
storm closed claims offices and prevented more of the newly jobless
from completing their paperwork.
Congressional Budget Office assessment predicts employment for
September will decline significantly, with job losses estimated from
150,000 to as much as 500,000. The report also forecasts 400,000 jobs
will be lost in coming months as a result of the hurricane.
HISTORIC FIRSTS:
For the first time in 159 years, Mexican Army troops arrived on
U.S. soil, part of a plan to spend up to a month in San Antonio, home
of the Alamo, to help evacuees. It is Mexico’s first disaster mission
to the United States, and the first Mexican military unit to operate
on U.S. soil since 1846.
United States asked NATO to help transport European aid to areas hit
by Katrina. It would be the first time the NATO Response Force has
been used for a humanitarian mission.
United States accepted a United Nations offer of help. It is the first
time since UNICEF was founded in 1946 that the U.N. has been asked to
assist with an emergency in the United States.
Compiled by the Associated Press News Research Center and AP Graphics.
09/10/05 13:50 EDT