PROJECT TO RESTORE ABOVYAN UNDERGROUND GAS DEPOSITORY IS AS IMPORTANT
AS IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11. ARMINFO. The project to restore the Abovyan
underground gas depository is as important as the construction of a
gas pipeline from Iran to Armenia, says the director general of the
ArmRosgazprom company Karen Karapetyan.

Armenia’s energy and strategic security is based on this depository.
“I hope that necessary money will be found for the project next year
which is a serious problem though considering the present volume of
gas market in Armenia,” says Karapetyan noting that some $30 mln is
needed to restore the depository. But the project can well be carried
out in stages – some $7 mln for the beginning. It is also necessary to
solve the problem of brine. “Unless the Nairit chemical plant is
restarted we will have to build a special reservoir for brine
production,” says Karapetyan.

The project is to increase the amount of stored gas from 100 mln c m
to 200 mln c m. The Russian Gazprom may take part in it. “We hope that
Gazprom will invest money in Armenia including in the Iran-Armenian
gas pipeline project but Armenia should take certain obligations.” The
same is for the cooperation with the EU who has provided 3 mln EUR for
drafting the project feasibility report, says Karapetyan noting that
experts of the Podzemgazstroy (Underground Gas Construction) company
from Russia are also examining the project.

YERKRAPAH VOLUNTEER UNION HAS BEEN, IS AND WILL BE: GRETA SARGSYAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11. ARMINFO. “Who gave us the right – now that the
Karabakh problem is at stake and the Sword of Damocles is hanging over
our country – to speak and think about a split inside Yerkarapah
Volunteer Union,” says Greta Sargsyan, mother of the founder of the
union, prime minister of Armenia Vazgen Sargsyan, killed in the
terrorist act in the Armenian Parliament Oct 27 1999.

Many want to see Yerkrapah weakened and inactive but those dreams will
never come true even though many Yerkrapah members have forgotten
about their mission because of their avarice.

During today’s Yerkrapah congress Sargsyan ordered the union to be
consolidated. “I am sure that the union has been, is and will always
be.” She complained that she had been invited as a guest only and
nominated herself for board member.

Her son, the leader of the republic party Aram Sargsyan stood up
against this proposal saying that his mother should not be a board
member. Yerkrapah should come together to their place every year to
say happy new year rather than come one by one to complain of
something. The union owes nothing to the government on the contrary it
is the government who owes the union as it is now in power due to
Yerkrapah, says Aram Sargsyan.

MEDI PROGRAM AIMED TO CREATE FAVOURABLE ATMOSPHERE FOR MICRO AND SMALL
ENTERPRISES IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11. ARMINFO. The USAID financed Micro Enterprises
Development Initiative project is aimed to create a favourable
atmosphere for micro and small enterprises in Armenia, the director of
the Crimson Capital consulting company Michael Gold said during
today’s workshop on micro and small enterprises financing.

He says that Armenia has all necessary mechanisms for micro and small
enterprises financing. The Armenian banks Anelik, Converse and INECO
are already providing loans to such companies. Usually such loans are
issued for short period and in any industry. Gold says that Armenia’s
Central Bank has pledged to help the banks providing such credits.

Today’s workshop is aimed to introduce the best experience in
crediting through best credit risk assessment mechanisms. It is
expected to promote cooperation between bankers and businessmen and to
contribute to the further development of business in Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KARABAKH WILL NEVER BE PART OF AZERBAIJAN: ARMENIA’S PM

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11. ARMINFO. Karabakh will never be part of
Azerbaijan, Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan said during
today’s congress of Yerkrapah Volunteer Union.

An Armenian territory cannot be object of speculations. Nagorny
Karabakh should have a status ensuring security for its people. So the
union will reject any proposals contradicting this principle like will
do his party, Republicans, and all parties who do not wish peace at
any price just for settling the problem, says Margaryan.

Iranian diplomat: Karabakh crisis should

Iran News Agency
Tehran, December 11

Iran`s ambassador to Armenia, Alireza Haqiqian reiterated the need to
settle the Karabakh crisis through peaceful ways and continuous
negotiations between Azeris and Armenians, it was announced here
Saturday.

Speaking in an interview with a Yerevan-based weekly about Iran`s
approach towards the issue of Karabakh, he said that his country`s
attitude with regard to the regional developments is clear and based
on cooperation, establishment of balance and understanding.

He declared Iran`s constant readiness for rendering any assistance to
the effect.

Stressing that Iran`s foreign policy and major principles on the
developments in the region and neighboring countries has not changed,
he noted, “Iran`s bilateral relations with foreign countries, in
particular its neighbors, is based on mutual respect and
non-interference in their domestic affairs.”

Expressing satisfaction with the current level of Iran-Armenia
relations and its growing trend, he said that the visits of Armenia`s
President Robert Kocharian to Tehran and President Mohammad Khatami`s
this year`s trip to Yerevan played a crucial role in further
strengthening mutual ties.

“The bilateral ties, whose cornerstone has been laid upon the
historical commonalties between the two nations, can pave the way for
promotion of sustainable peace and security in Caucasus.

“Expansion of relations in political, economic and cultural fields as
well as exchanges between the two nations is currently on Iran`s
agenda to this end,” he added.

He referred to some of the projects on the agenda including the
meetings of the joint economic commission, active participation of
Iranian tradesmen in Armenia`s market, the activities of Iranian
economic institutions there and cooperation in the energy sector.

In response to a question whether Moscow-Baku-Tehran railway will
replace Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan route, he said that given Iran`s decisive
role in the regional transit system, the interest of the countries of
the region in cooperation with Iran is quite natural.

He added that according to a number of specialists, the Baku-Ceyhan
railway project is a political scheme, not economical.

Turning to Iran-Armenia gas pipeline as a significant index in the
mutual relations, he noted that its construction will respond to
Armenia`s demands and have a positive impact on the regional economy.

Concerning gas transit, Haqiqian said, “Expansion of inter-state
collaboration in various fields including energy can lead to closer
understanding between them.

RUSSIAN GAS SUPPLIES TO ARMENIA TO BE INCREASED TO 1.350 BILLION CUBIC
METERS BY END OF 2004

YEREVAN, December 11 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – By the end of
2004 the Armenian-Russian company ArmRosgazprom is to increase gas
supplies to Armenia from 1.300 to 1.350 billion cubic meters,
ArmRogazprom CEO and director general Karen Karapetyan told
journalists.

According to him, next year the company is to increase gas supplies to
Armenia to 1.6-1.7 billion cubic meters taking into account the rates
of gasification and consumption volumes in the country.

The capacity of the Abovyan gasholder will be expanded from current 85
million cubic meters to 220-250 million cubic meters, said
Mr. Karapetyan. This will cost $27 million, he added. To finance the
program the company is negotiating with several banks, including
foreign ones, on granting credit.

“The implementation of this program will guarantee our security in an
emergency. I am convinced that the problem of Armenia’s energy
security will be solved soon, given the forthcoming opening of the
alternative Iran-Armenia gas pipeline,” Karen Karapetyan noted.

The Armenian-Russian company ArmRosgazprom is the single supplier of
natural gas to Armenia.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER GIVES LETTERS OF COMMENDATION AND MONEY
REWARDS TO 25 BEST STUDENTS OF ARMENIA

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11. ARMINFO. Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan handed over letters of commendation and money rewards to
the best 25 students of Armenian high educational establishments.

At the ceremony, Arthur Baghdasaryan says that there will be no places
on the state order at universities in 2005. He says that the country
will pay for the education of only those students who have excellent
progress only.

PHOTOGRAPHER AWARDED

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
11 Dec 04

On December 8 NKR president Arkady Ghukassian awarded the medal
`Gratitude’ to the Canadian Armenian photographer Hrair Khatcherian
(Bazeh). The honour was conferred on him for his contribution to the
cultural development of NKR, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary
of the national liberation movement in Artsakh. Hrair Khatcherian
thanked the head of the Karabakh republic for such a high appreciation
of his work. According to him, Artsakh is a source of inspiration not
only for him but also other representatives of art of the Diaspora.
The Canadian photographer presented the NKR president with one of his
works. After the ceremony of awarding we talked to the famous
photographer Bazeh known and loved by many in Karabakh. `I was born in
Lebanon in 1961. In 1982 I left for America to get education and in
1984 I settled down in Canada. Whyin Canada? Well, it just happened
so. In 1988 the Karabakh movement began. I was working for the
Armenian newspaper `Horizon’. One day therewas a meeting before the
Soviet embassy where the representatives of our community repeated `
Karabakh is ours, Karabakh is ours’. I went up to them and asked them
what was Karabakh. They said it was a territory which was ours, in the
20s Stalin had given it to Azerbaijan, now the people of Karabakh
seceded and declared independence. But nobody explained to me who the
people of Karabakh were. Idecided to come here and find it out
myself. 1992. No electricity. The airport does not work. The Lachin
corridor is bombed. Somehow we got to Shushi where I met excellent
guys. Unfortunately, many of they would get killed. But we becamevery
close. And three days later we went to Martuni, the border, saw the
soldiers who were of different ages, from 16 to 60.’ `You understood
then who is a Karabakh man?’ `Yes then I understood. I though if I had
left my wife and two daughters in Canada and come here I made a big
sacrifice but then I understood that I was the smallest of
them. People fought with weapon, I fought with my camera. I took
pictures of communities, churches, people and the war. I returned to
Armenia and promised to come back in 1993. But I could not. I fell
seriously ill. Doctors said I would die in 10 days. I promised that if
I went out of the hospital I would go and take pictures of the
Armenian churches of the world. It happened. In 1994 I returned to
Karabakh, already liberated. I decided not to take pictures of war any
more. It was a year of repose and return. I photographed the revival
of life. I came back again in 1996, in 1997, in 1998 and so on. In
1997 Archbishop Mesrop Ashchian, who, unfortunately, is not with us
any more, sponsored the publication of my first colour album headlined
‘Artsakh: Photographic Trip’. The album consists of four parts: the
country, the people, the struggle and the architecture. In 2002 we
created a new album, this time black and white, dedicated to the ten
years of liberation. There were a lotof exhibitions, numerous pictures
on web sites, in brief, a lot of work was done. In a way I became an
ambassador between Artsakh, Armenia and the Diaspora.’ ` After all
this does the Diaspora know what Karabakh is and who the people of
Karabakh are?’ `Most people know very well, and it is owingto people
who have been here at least once. My aim is to retain the connections
between Armenians as long as possible. I think there are no borders
between Armenians and all is our motherland. I feel good in Karabakh,
and in Armenia, and in West Armenia. When I am in Canada my soul
suffers as I have work to do here. Soon a new album will come out
which is entitled `Armenia and Artsakh in Bazeh’s Eyes’ (` Armenia and
Artsakh in Hawk’s Eyes’). I took the pictures included in it from a
helicopter. From above it is quite different. I want to show the
people of Karabakh that our motherland is beautiful indeed and not
only in the eyes of Armenians. We will by all means present the album
and exhibit the works in Artsakh. The second album is also ready. It
will be entitled `Yerkir’ (`Country’ ) and will be devoted to our
pilgrimage with Mesrop Ashchian to West Armenia. And the third album
will be the largest; it will include 360 pictures. It will be devoted
to the Armenian churches of the world. I have already been to 43
countries. It is the pilgrimage I have been going on after my
illness.’ `And why Bazeh?’ (In Armenian this word means `hawk’.) Ido
not know. This name is with me since I was 13. Perhaps God knows why
he gave me that name. Through my photos I want to thank the people of
Karabakh that they managed to defend the land of us all. I do my best.

NAIRA HAYRUMIAN.
11-12-2004

PRESIDENT’S MEETING WITH BUSINESSMEN

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
11 Dec 04

On December 8 NKR president Arkady Ghukassian met with American
businessmen Jim Norris and Nick Haming . During the meeting the guests
presented the aim of their visit to Nagorni Karabakh. They want to get
acquainted with the state of the NKR economy, study the conditions and
prospects for development of business to carry out different economic
programs here. They made observations in this reference and mentioned
that there are favourable conditions in Nagorni Karabakh for
entrepreneurship. In his turn Arkady Ghukassian emphasized that the
favourable legislative environment in NKR is the main reason for the
growing interest of foreign companies and businessmen towards Nagorni
Karabakh. Speaking about the prospective industrial and agricultural
sectors of the country’s economy such as energy, metallurgy,
production of agricultural products, the president said that hopefully
the visit of the American businessmen will give a start to cooperation
in the branches of economy which have an important role for NKR. At
the same time the president of NKR assured that the NKR authorities
will assist to their activity in Nagorni Karabakh if they wish to set
up business in Karabakh.

AA.
11-12-2004

Agence France Presse
9 décembre 2004 jeudi 4:13 PM GMT

Bruxelles jette les bases d’une politique européenne de “voisinage”
(PAPIER GENERAL)

par Par Pierre GLACHANT

BRUXELLES

La Commission européenne a jeté les bases jeudi d’une nouvelle
coopération ciblée avec sept partenaires proches de l’UE, dont
l’Ukraine, mais Bruxelles refuse à ce stade de voir derrière cette
politique de voisinage les prémisses de futurs élargissements.

Sept “plans d’action” ont été adoptés par la Commission. Ils
concernent deux pays voisins de l’Union élargie, l’Ukraine et la
Moldavie, et cinq riverains du pourtour méditerranéen: Israël, la
Tunisie, le Maroc, l’Autorité palestinienne et la Jordanie.

Ces programmes vont maintenant être transmis à l’aval des Etats
membres de l’Union. Leurs priorités ont été élaborées avec les pays
concernés. Ils se présentent sous la forme de listes d’objectifs très
précis à atteindre.

En ce qui concerne l’Ukraine, la Commission a proposé que le plan
d’action ne soit approuvé qu’après des élections “libres et
équitables” dans le pays.

L’Ukraine se prépare à un nouveau second tour de l’élection
présidentielle, le 26 décembre, après les irrégularités constatées
lors du scrutin du 21 novembre, à l’origine de la grave crise
politique qui secoue depuis le pays.

La commissaire européenne aux Relations extérieures, Benita
Ferrero-Waldner, a insisté sur le fait que cette nouvelle coopération
avec les pays situés à la périphérie de l’Union élargie ne
s’inscrivait pas à l’heure actuelle dans une perspective d’adhésion.

“Ce n’est pas une politique d’élargissement. Cela ne préjuge pas des
perspectives des pays européens qui, à un certain point dans
l’avenir, pourraient souhaiter poser leur candidature. Mais cela ne
fournit pas non plus de perspective d’adhésion”, a-t-elle déclaré
lors d’une conférence de presse.

Les “plans d’action” sont issus de la politique de voisinage élaborée
par la Commission en 2003. Son objectif essentiel est de renforcer
les relations de l’UE avec les pays restés à la périphérie de l’Union
après le grand élargissement à dix nouveaux pays, en mai dernier.

Les plans ont pour ambition d’éviter de nouvelles “lignes de
division” en Europe et d'”exporter la stabilité” vers les pays
voisins de l’Union, a expliqué Mme Ferrero-Waldner.

Ils permettront d'”améliorer la sécurité à nos frontières” grce à la
coopération en matière de migrations ou de lutte contre toutes sortes
de trafics illégaux, comme la drogue ou la criminalité
transfrontalière.

En oeuvrant à “améliorer le niveau de vie”, ils devraient réduire
aussi “les pressions migratoires”, a ajouté la commissaire.

Mais les “plans d’action” ambitionnent aussi de répondre aux besoins
des pays concernés, en aidant par exemple l’Ukraine à se préparer à
une adhésion à l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC).

Benita Ferrero-Waldner a indiqué, sans autres précisions, que
“certains Etats membres” auraient souhaité que le plan d’action avec
l’Ukraine “aille plus loin”.

La Pologne et les pays baltes (Lituanie, Lettonie, Estonie) prêtent
une attention toute particulière à l’Ukraine et avaient, avant même
leur adhésion à l’UE, plaidé pour que l’Union n’oublie pas ses
voisins de l’Est après l’élargissement.

Les “plans d’action” se fixent aussi comme objectif de résoudre les
conflits régionaux, celui du Proche-Orient pour Israël et l’Autorité
palestinienne, la question de la Transnistrie pour la Moldavie.

D’autres programmes de coopération sont en préparation pour l’année
prochaine avec le Liban et l’Egypte, ainsi qu’avec les trois pays du
Caucase (Géorgie, Arménie, Azerbaïdjan).

Selon une source communautaire, la Commission a proposé d’allouer
14,9 milliards d’euros à sa politique de voisinage. Cette source n’a
toutefois pas précisé sur quelle période cette somme serait utilisée.