Zaman, Turkey
March 16 2005

Wolfowitz: Convince Damascus, Let’s Look Ahead
By Suleyman Kurt
Published: Wednesday 16, 2005
zaman.com

Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will visit Syria in April;
however the visit, which will take place in a time of escalating
international pressure, has caused disruptions in the
Ankara-Washington line.

The issue was on the agenda during the eight-deputy delegation of the
Turkish Parliamentary Democracy Delegation’s Washington contacts.
According to the information received, meeting with Turkish
parliamentarians, the US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz
sent the message: “If your relations with Syria are on good terms, we
request you use this position to convince Syria to withdraw its
troops from Lebanon. Let’s look towards the future.” The US Secretary
of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, on the other hand, surprised everyone
when he entered the room and joined the meeting.

The Turkish delegation consisting of five Justice and Development
Party (AKP) and three Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputies
attended meetings in Washington that included a meeting with Paul
Wolfowitz.

According to reports, the US-Turkey relations were at the table, and
indicated that the problems resulting from the March 1 deployment
motion, that was not passed in the Turkish Parliament, was overcome,
and Wolfowitz signaled: “Let’s look to the future.”

Within this framework, Wolfowitz brought the recent developments
regarding Syria to the agenda. When the Turkish parliamentarians
expressed: “Turkey attaches great importance to its relations with
regional countries and has good relations with its neighbors.” The US
Deputy Secretary of Defense replied: “There are issues that we can
handle together as friends and allies. If your relations with Syria
are on good terms, we request you use this position to convince Syria
to withdraw its troops from Lebanon. You must convince Syria. ”

Meeting with officials from the US Department of State and the
Presidency, the Turkish delegation communicated to Washington, “one
of the major reasons of anti-Americanism in Turkey is the continued
existence of the terrorist organization Kurdistan Worker’s Party
(PKK) in northern Iraq. The parliamentarians also expressed Turkey’s
perspective in regard to the so-called Armenian genocide allegations
and the abandonment of the isolation imposed on the Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and they asked for US assistance on this
issue. While US officials did not reveal any approaches regarding the
terrorist organization PKK, and they noted that the authority rests
with the US Congress with regard to the so-called genocide
allegations.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 16 2005

Two more Azeri soldiers die in hospital

Baku, March 15, AssA-Irada
Two more Azerbaijani soldiers died in hospital on Tuesday, the ANS TV
reported.
Fikrat Aliyev and Asgar Ismayilov, both 18, received grave wounds in
an attempt to prevent an attack by Armenian military units close to
Mirashelli village of Aghdam District on Monday.
Three military men are reported to have been killed on the Armenian
side.*

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
March 16, 2005

His Holiness Karekin II Receives Prime Minister of Georgia

On March 12, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, received Prime Minister of Georgia Zurab Noghaideli, and his
delegation in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The newly appointed Prime
Minister was accompanied by Vardan Khatchatrian, Minister of Finance and
Economy for the Republic of Armenia and Mr. Gegham Gharibjanian, Armenian
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Welcoming the first visit of the Georgian Prime Minister to Holy
Etchmiadzin, the Pontiff of All Armenians congratulated him on his recent
appointment and expressed his confidence that it would benefit
Armenian-Georgian relations. His Holiness further stated his contentment in
the development of ties on different levels between the Armenian and
Georgian peoples.

His Holiness stressed that mutual efforts and dialogue are necessary to find
just solutions for difficulties and problems that exist in the region,
noting his desire and hope that a lasting and secure peace be established
for the benefit of all nations, leading all peoples of the South Caucuses to
happy and prosperous lives.

During the meeting between the Catholicos and the Prime Minister, the issues
surrounding the current problems facing the Armenian churches located in the
Armenian Diocese of Georgia were discussed.

The Prime Minister of Georgia thanked His Holiness for the reception and
conveyed the warm fraternal greetings of His Holiness Ilia II,
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

The Supreme Pontiff reciprocated the greetings of Patriarch Ilia, and
expressed his conviction that the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church would
provide his caring attention to the Armenian citizens of Georgia as well,
hearing their concerns and assisting them in solving their difficulties.

Also present for the meeting were: Revaz Gachechilladze, newly appointed
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Georgia to
Armenia; His Grace Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See;
and His Grace Bishop Sion Adamian, Primate of the Diocese of Armavir.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Los Angeles Daily News
March 16 2005

Valley link in weapons sales

Feds say ring smuggled arms

By Jason Kandel, Staff Writer

Members of a Russian-Armenian organized crime ring, including six
suspects from the San Fernando Valley, have been charged with
plotting to smuggle $2.5 million in black-market military weapons
into the United States, federal officials said Tuesday.
The suspects sold the weapons — including rocket-propelled grenade
launchers, shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles and other Russian
military weapons — to an FBI informant who posed as an arms
trafficker with connections to al-Qaida, officials said.

Although the weapons are of the type that homeland-security experts
fear could be used by terrorists, officials said the suspects were
smuggling the arms for profit.

“They didn’t care who they were selling to,” said Paul Browne, a
spokesman for New York Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly. “They
were motivated purely by greed, and they’ll go to jail for that.”

Browne said the investigation into the weapons operation began about
a year ago as part of a probe into medical-insurance and credit-card
fraud schemes being run by an organized crime syndicate.

Using wiretaps on seven phones and intercepting 15,000 conversations,
investigators tracked the suspects to South Africa, Armenia and the
Georgian Republic, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday
in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

The two accused of being ringleaders — Artur Solomonyan, an
Armenian, and Christiaan Dewet Spies, a South African, both living
illegally in New York — and 15 other suspects were arrested Monday
night and Tuesday morning in roundups in New York City, Los Angeles
and Miami, officials said.

Among those arrested were Garegin Gasparyan, 28, of Burbank; Tigran
Gevorgyan, 21, of Glendale; William Thomas, of Los Angeles; Artur
Solomonyan, 26, who has homes in New York and Van Nuys; and
Solomonyan’s brother Levon, 24.

Police still were searching for Armand Abramian, 27, of Glendale.

According to the criminal complaint, the smuggling ring sold the
informant eight illegal weapons — most of them military assault
rifles, including two AK-47s and an Israeli-made Uzi machine gun. The
dealers delivered three of the guns in New York City, three in Los
Angeles and two in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

In recent weeks the suspects made a $2.5 million deal to sell the
informant more powerful weapons, mainly Russian-made, officials said.
The suspects were accused of giving the informant photographs of the
weapons and saying they were holding them somewhere in Eastern Europe
and were ready to get them shipped to the United States.

The photographs of the weapons were displayed at a news conference
held Monday in New York City.

Los Angeles Police Department officers say they have noticed a spike
in Russian-Armenian organized crime, especially in medical-insurance
and credit-card fraud, but not in military weapons.

“We’ve never had this type of case in Los Angeles,” said Cmdr. Mark
Leap, the second in command in the LAPD’s Critical Incident
Management Bureau.

“It’s certainly a concern that people would sell these types of
weapons strictly for profit, and they don’t care who they sell them
to. That’s one of the challenges of law enforcement — to uncover
these kinds of conspiracies and make sure the weapons don’t fall into
the hands of terrorists.”

AZG, March 11, 2005

Not to be allowed to step on Armenia’s soil even as a tourist..

Today the name of French Armenian Alexander Varpetyan is well known in
Armenia. With his books and lectures he is known in the Motherland.
However, as it appears from his open letter addressed to the
leadership of our country, which is published with slight reductions
below, Alexander Varpetyan is being denied not only a special
residency status, but also an entry visa to Armenia. The editorial
board is expecting a detailed response.

Honorable President and State Officials,

I, a French Armenian, after returning to my birthplace Marseille on
1975, continued my national cultural and patriotic activities, and
parallel to my French citizenship kept the citizenship of Soviet
Armenia, which by my own will on 1990 was reregistered as a
citizenship of independent Armenia.

However, on 1997 because of some unknown reasons I was deprived of it;
although my passport was valid until 1998, while the law banning
double citizenship was accepted still on 1994.

Nevertheless, highlighting the importance of my “patriotic heritage
and contribution to Armenian scientific and cultural life,” based on
the application of initially Armenia’s Ministry of Science and
Education, and later Ministry of Culture, I twice was awarded with a
free status of temporary and regular residency in Armenia. However,
the third such application of the Minister of Culture on 2002 was
denied without any explanation, which was equivalent to exile. The
open letter of about 250 prominent representatives of intelligentsia
to the President of Armenia (“Aravot”-03/29/2002), and the discussions
in other newspapers (“Iravunk”- 03/21/2002, “Zhamanak”-03/28/2002,
“Golos Armenii”-03/23/2002, “Haykakan Jamanak”-03/13/2002 and others)
did not find any reaction.

Later consistently were denied:

– On 2003 – By the apparatus of the President via the Armenian
Consulate in France my application for paid special residency status;

– On 2003 – The invitation by Artur Varpetian, my son and the citizen
of Armenia, for my three-month-long visa;

– On 2003 – My 21-day-long internet visa application;

– On 2004 spring – the legal appeal of the same application, this time
with motivation of absence of an invitation;

– And immediately after that again the invitation application by my
son for my 3-month visa, but this time even without a written
rejection, which makes this matter not only strange but also very
conspirative and unique issue.

It appears, that for my 30-year-long devoted national cultural and
national preservation activities I can be hosted in all Diaspora
colonies and freely visit any country (including Turkey, as in summer
of 2004, historical sites), except the Motherland; I can be invited
and deliver lectures regarding the 12,000 years-old heritage of
Armenians in foreign universities (Azad-Iran 2002, UCLA-USA 1999 and
2005, and elsewhere); with my Armenian language publications achieve
international recognition and appreciations (ABI-“Great Thinkers of
21st Century”, USA, 2004; IBC-Blue book of “Who is who” , Cambridge,
Great Britain, 2005, etc.); appear in the website of
<; “Famous people of Armenia”; but have no right
to step on the Armenia’s soil even as a tourist.

And all this is being done without any justification or an
explanation. So what has changed in the Motherland during the recent
years? I and my national activities have not changed at all; simply my
scientific achievements and discoveries developed further.

Parallel to spreading of the ideological theories of “Eutyun”, this
nonsense matter and the strange circumstances around it, cause
numerous questions and different speculations, thus first of all
shadowing the image and respect of the Republic of Armenia in the eyes
of both Armenian and foreign realities.

Thus, Honorable President and respectful statesmen, I sincerely urge
you to examine this problematical appeal, and if it is not an
“extremely secret state matter”, disclose to me the reasons of all
these consistent rejections; or otherwise allow me at least shortly
visit my relatives, as well as the graves of my dead, who because of
their patriotism immigrated to the Motherland and departed from this
life prematurely.

I am taking up an obligation to respect all laws and regulations of
Armenia, not to attend any gathering, even a social or scientific
meeting, not to seek any status of residency anymore, and if necessary
respond to any questions related to this matter, as well as to my
national cultural activities, even though they always have been open
and transparent, and I regularly, with high civil responsibility, in
verbal and written forms always reported to YOU ALL.

With optimism and deep respect
Alexander Arordi Varpetyan

,

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish foreign minister views ties with US, EU entry, Cyprus issue

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
14 Mar 05

London, 14 March: Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Abdullah Gul said on Monday [14 March] that the entry negotiations
with the European Union (EU) would be a test for Turkey’s resistance
and patience, adding: “I believe that Turkey will pass this test
successfully.”

Speaking at a conference at the London School of Economics, Gul, who
is currently paying a four-day official visit to Britain, said: “We
are determined to further improve our bilateral relations with
Britain.” Referring to Turkey-the EU relations, Gul said: “Turkey and
the EU have created a synergy in economy and politics. As a result,
Turkey became an attractive country for European investors. Recently,
diplomatic consultations between Turkey and the EU have
increased. Turkey and the EU have also succeeded in creating a joint
power to overcome problems such as fundamentalism, racism and
anti-Semitism. After the EU decided to open entry talks with Turkey on
3 October, the Turkish government has given priority to the
negotiation process with the EU. Therefore, our reforms will continue
rapidly.” “We are aware that the negotiation process will not be
easy. The negotiation process will be a test for Turkey’s resistance
and patience. I believe that Turkey will pass this test successfully,”
he said.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Gul said: “Both Turkey and the
[self-declared] Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have
extended full support to a solution in the island. Turkey’s only
target is to protect rights and security of the Turkish Cypriots. As
you know, Turkish Cypriot people supported United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan in the referendum on April 24th.
However, the embargoes and isolation imposed on them have still been
continuing.”

“Turkey also holds consultations with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia
with the aim of providing peace in southern Caucasus. After Israel
withdraws from Gaza, international community will have to expend more
efforts to resolve the economic problems and the issue of security in
the region,” he said.

Upon a question about Turkey-United States relations, Gul said that
the relations had been progressing on the right track. Replying to
another question, Gul said: “There is not any problem about signing of
the protocol about the customs union. However, Turkey’s signing the
protocol will not mean recognition of the Greek Cypriot side. There
are two separate states and two separate nations on the island.”

Upon a question about the events during a demonstration in Istanbul
marking the International Women’s Day, Gul said: “We do not approve
such events. We have launched an investigation into them. Such events
can be experienced anywhere in the world. Turkey has made the
necessary reforms, however, it will take time to remove the problems
in implementation.”

When asked what would happen if the EU Constitution was rejected in
referendums in France and the other countries, Gul said: “It may lead
to a crisis both in the EU and in those countries. Such a crisis can
normally affect Turkey.”

Reporter.gr , Greece
March 16 2005

Greece: OTE acquires 48,6% of Hellas Com

12:01 – 16 March 2005 – The CEO of OTE held meetings with Armentel
management and government officials in Armenia yesterday. The agenda
included developments on mutually withdrawing arbitration proceedings
on previous years’ disputes, as it was agreed in November 2004.

Note that OTE has stated in the past its intentions to sell its stake
in Armentel though updated strategic plans have not yet been
provided.
Meanwhile, OTE is reportedly considering acquiring the minorities
(48.6%) of Hellas Com subsidiary, in which Intracom and Siemens both
participate with stakes of 15%.

Glendale News-Press/ Burbank Leader, a division of the LA Times
By Rima Shah
Weekend, February 26-27, 2005

“Do not add garlic to your hummus.”

No sooner did the words drop out of Barbara Ghazarian’s mouth, that very
loud, shocked gasps emerged from the audience at the incredulousness of hummus
without garlic.

But Ghazarian, author of “Simply Armenian: Naturally Healthy Ethnic Cooking
Made Easy,” has a reason.
Garlic overpowers other flavors, especially that of the chickpea in the
hummus spread, she said.

The audience, about 50, listened intently, ready to give its opinions at the
Glendale Central Library Wednesday evening where Ghazarian, half Armenian and
half Irish-English, came down from Monterey to talk about her book.

But it wasn’t just garlic’s strong bite that the audience, mainly of Armenian
descent, offered its opinion on. Responses were thrown in about cooking lamb
versus beef and how to get rid of the lamb’s smell while cooking.
Ghazarian expected it. “Armenian food is village food,” she said. “I call
myself the diva of village food. It’s very social food.” That was part of the
flavor of Armenian food, Ghazarian said. It is easy to cook and it’s healthy.

Suzanne McLay, a dietitic intern, at Glendale Gcommunity College, agreed on
the benefits of the Armenian diet.
“They use a lot of lamb, dried fruit, nuts, yogurt, which has a lot of
friendly bacteria, olive oil, lemon juice, spice and vegetables. So in that respect,
it is a very healthy diet,” McLay said. “But they also rely on a lot of
pastry, filler dough and butter. It is a little high on saturated fat.”

But, most importantly, it adds color and camaraderie to the kitchen,
Ghazarian said.

It adds color to the kitchen during the chopping of tomatoes and cucumbers,
the mess of ground meat and the opportunity to cook it with a friend.

“It’s chaos, it’s chaotic,” she said. “Perhaps that’s what we need in our
kitchens – more color, more fun and much bigger messes in order to get us to eat
correctly.”

Armenian food is diverse. Armenians are spread all over the Middle East with
significant populations concentrated in Iran, Turkey and, of course, Armenia.
Armenians, in these different regions have developed their own ways of cooking
different dishes and have assimilated various dishes from their Arab
neighbors, such as hummus and “tabouli” salad–a finely chopped mix of parsley,
tomatoes and onions. Although Armenian cooking is not vegetarian, the book claims
more than half the recipes are vegetarian, a result of strict Armenian fasting
requirements.

The recipes in the book took about 10 years to put together, she said, and
have been tested for success.

New York Daily News
March 16 2005

Gang of arms peddlers held

18 arrested in fed sting

By ALISON GENDAR
DAILY NEWS POLICE BUREAU CHIEF

Armenian national Artur Solomonyan was one of 18 men collared by the
feds yesterday in an arms smuggling sting.

A New York-based gang allegedly peddling Russian-made surface-to-air
missiles and rocket-propelled grenades was blown away yesterday in an
FBI sting, officials said.
The heavy weapons pipeline stretched from Eastern Europe to the
Brooklyn home of an alleged arms smuggler who once boasted of being
able to get uranium to bomb the subways, authorities said.

Artur Solomonyan, a Armenian national who lives in Sheepshead Bay,
was among 18 men arrested by the feds after a year-long
investigation.

The probe was mounted with the help of a gun-savvy informant who
reeled in the arms dealers posing as a moneyman eager to buy weapons
for Al Qaeda terrorists, officials said.

“The defendants showed they were willing to sell anything to anybody
for the right price,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney David Kelley.

Investigators grabbed Solomonyan, 26, and Christiaan Spies, 33, also
of Sheepshead Bay, Monday night outside the Embassy Suites Hotel in
Battery Park City, police said.

The rest of the alleged dealers were routed from their beds in New
York, Miami and Los Angeles early yesterday.

“This case posted a big ‘Keep Out’ sign for arms traffickers
everywhere,” said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

Solomonyan and Spies, a South African, allegedly offered to ship more
than 200 rocket propelled grenade launchers and shoulder-fired
surface-to-air missiles from Armenia and Chechnya to New York, Los
Angeles and Miami.

Solomonyan touted alleged connections to ex-KGB officials and former
military leaders in Chechnya and Georgia willing to sell weapons to
the highest bidder, officials said.

“They had the connections and weapons terrorists need to turn a
deadly dream into a deadly reality,” said Andrew Arena,
agent-in-charge of the FBI’s New York criminal division.

Solomonyan and Spies provided the informant with a Web site and
password to view a catalogue of military hardware, authorities said.

Solomonyan allegedly set the informant up with a host of arms
dealers, and sold him eight weapons – including an Israeli Uzi, SKS
fully automatic assault rifle and AK-47s.

Solomonyan and Spies were arrested before they could travel to Europe
with the phony IDs and green cards provided by the informant,
officials said.

Solomayan was “unbelievably determined to be a major arms dealer,”
said a law enforcement source. “Combine his level of determination
and the arms bazaar in Eastern Europe and you have trouble.”

Afraid that the informant thought he was too young to be a weapons
dealer, Solomonyan also boasted he could get “enriched uranium …
which could be used in the subway,” according to court papers.

But investigators found no evidence that he could make good on the
one-time claim, and uranium was never mentioned again in more than
15,000 intercepted phone calls.

With Melissa Grace and Celeste Katz

CENN – March 16, 2005 Daily Digest

Table of Contents:

1. Georgia, Armenia Discuss Energy Issues

2. European Parliament Votes Yes on Financing NATURA
2000

3. Youth to the Front – Two New WCPA Scholarships for
Young Professionals in Protected Area Management

4. Azerbaijan Discloses First Transparency Initiative
Reports

5. UNDP/GEF Project: “Georgia – Promoting the Use of
Renewable Energy Resources for Local Energy Supply”

6. Call for Proposals for the European Initiative for
Democracy and Human Rights Micro projects Program

1. GEORGIA, ARMENIA DISCUSS ENERGY ISSUES

Source: RFE/RL, March 14, 2005

During a two-day visit to Yerevan on 11-12 March, Georgian Prime
Minister Zurab Noghaideli met with his Armenian counterpart Andranik
Markarian to discuss bilateral trade and cooperation in the energy
sector, Georgian and Armenian agencies reported. Bilateral trade grew by
51 percent in 2004, reaching $78 million, Caucasus Press reported on 12
March. Noghaideli raised with Markarian the possibility of Georgia and
Ukraine importing Iranian gas exported to Armenia via the gas pipeline
currently under construction, ITAR-TASS reported. Initially that
pipeline was planned exclusively to supply Armenia with gas, but
Interfax on 4 March quoted Armenian Energy Minister Andranik Manukian as
saying a second leg could be built to transport gas to Europe. The
Russian-Armenian company Armrosgasart is to undertake construction,
which will begin next month, of the Armenian section of the pipeline.

2. EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTES YES ON FINANCING NATURA 2000

Source: IUCN March 14, 2005

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) welcomes the decision taken by the
European Parliament on Thursday 11th March in favour of a report on
financing Natura 2000. Natura 2000 is the European Union’s (EU) network
of protected areas, established to ensure the future survival of the
EU’s most important habitats and species by achieving favourable
conservation status. The successful implementation and management of
Natura 2000 sites is a key part of the EU’s work to meet its target of
halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010. This report from the European
Parliament is a critical step in the process as it requests the EU to
provide significant financing to manage the Natura 2000 network and
conserve biodiversity. The report argues that in the future, funding to
manage these protected areas should be made available from the EU funds
for agriculture, rural development and regional development

3. YOUTH TO THE FRONT – TWO NEW WCPA SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUNG
PROFESSIONALS IN PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT

Source: IUCN March 15, 2005

Junior Ranger Tshegofatso Monama challenged 3,000 participants at the
Vth IUCN World Parks Congress when he said: “The problem I have about
parks is that they do not offer opportunities. They should offer
opportunities to the young because as I look out here I see only old
people who are going to die!” Responding to the need to involve more
young people in protected area management and conservation, IUCN’s
Programme on Protected Areas and the World Commission on Protected Areas
(WCPA) launched a youth training scholarship programme at the 3rd IUCN
World Conservation Congress (WCC, Bangkok, Thailand, November 2004). The
programme, developed and implemented in partnership with the Consortium
for International Protected Area Management (CIPAM), will offer two
scholarships for talented young professionals to attend a protected area
management seminar and to develop an action plan implementing the new
seminar skills and results. Graduates of the seminars will be offered
professional mentoring subsequent to the course. The initiative is the
first undertaking of a partnership focused on increasing protected area
professional capacity amongst young protected area practitioners.

4. AZERBAIJAN DISCLOSES FIRST TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE REPORTS

Source: State Telegraph of the Republic of Azerbiajn, Agency March 16,
2005

The Committee on Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (“EITI”)
established by the government of Azerbaijan to implement its obligations
taken at the conference on EITI held in June 2003 in London, today
announced the publication of the Governments EITI first reports audited
by Deloitte & Touche, the independent Aggregator. The published
documents also include the Aggregator’s opinion based on individual
submissions of independent extractive industry companies participating
in the EITI process.

This marks the first ever aggregated government transparency report in
the world and implementation of the Azerbaijan Government’s commitment
to EITI.

The publication of Azerbaijan’s EITI reports follows the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) on November 24, 2004 between the
Government of Azerbaijan, foreign and local extractive industry
companies and a coalition of some 32 local Non-Governmental
Organizations (“NGO’s”) for Increasing Transparency in Extractive
Industries to implement EITI in Azerbaijan. The MOU set out a clear and
independent process for the implementation of EITI in Azerbaijan and
since its signing has served as the framework for implementation efforts
by all parties.

The full report as well as the Aggregator’s opinion on the document has
already been disclosed on the State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) and the EITI
Secretariat of the UK Department for International Development (DFID)
and non-governmental organizations (NGO).

Samir Sharifov, chairman of the Committee on EITI, said: “Publication of
the first report on the Government revenues from the extractive sector
that was prepared by a reputable international firm on the basis of
examination of government’s assertion and extractive sector companies’
individual reports has become another clear demonstration of
Azerbaijan’s full support to EITI process not in words but in deeds. It
has evidenced continued commitment of the authorities of Azerbaijan to
transparent management of revenues accruing from extractive sector and
to encouraging active involvement of civil society in this process”.

Speaking on behalf of local extractive industry companies Natig Aliyev,
President of SOCAR, said “Thanks to successful realization of new oil
strategy, SOCAR has obtained the recognition as one of the leading oil
producing companies in the world and reliable business partner in joint
projects. Our next task is to prove ourselves as a company which
conducts its business in compliance with internationally accepted
standards of reporting and transparency of financial and commercial
operations.

I believe that in our country we have already taken very important steps
in this direction and in future in cooperation with the NGOs we will do
our best to achieve our goal”.

Speaking on behalf of foreign oil companies David Woodward, Associate
President of BP, said: ”We welcome the publication of the first reports
for Azerbaijan which is a world first for the broader implementation of
the UK Government’s EITI initiative. We are satisfied with the
independent process implemented by the Aggregator. As these are the
first reports of these kind in the world there will, I’m sure, be ways
in which we can improve the process further, but this should not detract
from the importance of what has been achieved by the Azerbaijan
Government working effectively and efficiently with oil companies and
civil society”.

Sevgim Rahmanov speaking on behalf of the NGO coalition stated “A
significant step forward has been made towards promoting transparency in
extractive industries in Azerbaijan by publication of the EITI first
report. We look forward to working with both the Government and
extractive sector companies for further improvements in the process”.

5. UNDP/GEF Project: “Georgia – Promoting the Use of Renewable
Energy Resources for Local Energy Supply”

GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA

UNDP/GEF Project: “Georgia – Promoting the Use of Renewable Energy
Resources for Local Energy Supply”

Invitation for Pre-qualification (Request for Expressions of Interest)

Technical Advisor Services

The companies with required expertise are requested to send their
Expressions of Interests for the provision of technical advisory
services for a five-year joint UNDP/GEF and KfW financed initiative in
Georgia including a technical assistance component and an associated US$
7 million revolving Renewable Energy Fund to promote the use of local
renewable energy resources, with the focus on small hydro and geothermal
resources.

The selected consultant is expected to take the lead on finalizing the
documentation needed for the loan applications of the pilot small hydro
power and geothermal projects seeking to use the resources of the
Renewable Energy Fund. The work will be conducted in close co-operation
with the local experts (to be paid separately by the project budget)
with the purpose of simultaneously building up the local capacity to
follow up the results and to conduct similar studies independently in
the future.

In co-operation with the local experts, the Technical Advisor will be
responsible for finalizing the documentation needed for the loan
applications for small hydropower and geothermal projects seeking to use
the resources of the Renewable Energy Fund and, as applicable, support
the further implementation of the projects approved for financing.

The Technical Advisor will report to the project manager and to the UNDP
Resident Representative in Georgia.

Qualifications

a.. Good knowledge of and extensive working experience on developing
small hydro power, geothermal and municipal heat and hot water supply
projects, including:
b.. Adequate technical knowledge and experience on the different areas
of small hydro power projects, geothermal resources and municipal heat
and hot water supply systems
c.. Demonstrated success in structuring financing for the projects
d.. Strong interpersonal and training skills
e.. Knowledge of Georgian or Russian language is an asset

The duration of the assignment will be 4 years (2004-2008).

Required Information and Documentation for Pre-qualification

1.. Signed Expression of Interest Letter;
1.. Name and ownership of a company;
2.. Field of business or areas of interest or public responsibility;
3.. Annual turnover or budget;
4.. Background of a company;
5.. CVs of experts to be engaged in the assignment;
6.. Company’s References (implemented projects and/or provided
services):
1.. Deadline for Expression of Interest is 25 March 2005 12 A.M. of
local time.

Expression of Interest and related materials should be sent to the
Project manager Mr. Paata Janelidze via mail.

Address: 150a, Agmashenebeli Ave. Tbilisi, 0112, Georgia

E-mail: [email protected]

More information can be seen at

6. Call for Proposals for the European Initiative for Democracy
and Human Rights Micro projects Program

European Commission

Delegation to Georgia and Armenia

Call reference: EuropeAid/121-162/L/G/GE

The European Commission Delegation to Georgia is seeking proposals for
micro projects in Georgia with financial assistance from the European
Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) program of the
European Communities. The global indicative amount available for this
Call for Proposals is ? 327.000.

The general objective of the EIDHR micro projects program is to respond
rapidly to requests from NGOs that are designed to promote democracy and
human rights. Proposals for micro projects should be in the following
priority areas:

Priority A: Support to the rule of law and the fight against corruption

Priority B: Protection of religious and ethnic minorities

Grants may cover a maximum of 80% of project costs. Grants will finance
projects with activities lasting up to 18 months.

Grants range from a minimum of ? 10.000 to a maximum of ? 50.000

Applicants must be non-profit-marketing and be non governmental
organization. They must have their headquarters in Georgia, or be a
local independent division of an NGO with its headquarters in another
country. Activities must take place in Georgia, preferably in one or
more of the following regions of Georgia: Kvemo Kartli,
Samtskhe-Javakheti and Adjara. Applicantrs may apply singly or as part
of a consortium.

Detailed information on this Call for Proposals is contained in the
“Guidelines for Grant Applicants”, which are published together with
this notice on the Internet Web Site of the European Commission
Delegation to Georgia: the full Guidelines
for Applicants are also available for consultation at the European
Commission Delegation to Georgia:

38, Nino Chkheidze street, 0102, Tbilisi

Tel: +995 32 94 37 63

>From Monday to Friday from 9:00 till 17:00

The deadline for submission of proposals is June 6, 2005 at 16:00
Georgian time. Any application received by the European Commission
Delegation to Georgia after this time will not be considered.

Any questions regarding this Call for Proposals should be sent, clearly
indicating the reference number by fax to +995 32 94 37 68 or by email
to [email protected]

All applicants are encouraged to consult the Internet website above
regularly before the deadline for applications, where the EC Delegation
will publish the most frequently asked questions and the corresponding
replies.

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CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

Tel: ++995 32 75 19 03/04
Fax: ++995 32 75 19 05
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: