CENN – OCTOBER 15, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contest:
1. Fallout Continues from Ninotsminda Blowout
2. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline Company Announces New Protocols with the
Government of Georgia
3. BP and Eurasia Sign Agreement on New Pipeline Monitoring Program for
Georgian NGOs
4. Armenian Proposals For Extra U.S. Aid Shelved
5. Homeless People Gathered in Angry Protest Outside Yerevan City Hall
6. Interregional Volunteer Activities to Take Place in 7 Armenian
Regions and Yerevan on Oct 28-29
7. RA President: Armenian Diaspora Should Be More Active in Assisting
Development Projects in Armenia
8. The Conference of the Council of Trustees of the Pan-Armenian
International Youth Center Foundation Held in Yerevan
9. ITERA Oil and Gas Company Holds Negotiations on Selling 10% of the
Shares of Armrusgasprom CJSC for $ 30 mln
10. 6 Month Imprisonment for Beating a Journalist
11. Armenian anticorruption commission highlights 10 main areas of
activity
12. Armenia’s only elephant to get an Indian companion
13. Invitation to European INFORSE
14. Vacancy Announcement
1. FALLOUT CONTINUES FROM NINOTSMINDA BLOWOUT
Source: The Messenger, October 13, 2004
Ninotsminda, in the Kakheti region of Sagarejo, is still recovering from
the disaster it suffered a month ago, when for three days oil and gas
gushed out of a borehole following a well blowout.
Georgian media notes that the region is still to be compensated for its
losses – 30 hectares of woods must be cleaned and there is an ongoing
danger to inhabitants’ health. Papers also note that the CanArgo Energy
Corporation, which owns the well, states that it will do everything to
eradicate the results of the catastrophe.
The disaster occurred on September 10, 2004 when oil and gas under
extreme pressure began jetting out of N100 well near the mountains in
the outskirts of Ninotsminda, seriously damaging the surrounding
territory.
A strong wind spread the gas and oil, and two villages in Sagarejo –
Ninotsminda and Tskarostavi – were seriously affected. Locals reported
that the ‘oil-rain’ continued for two-and-a-half days before the company
finally managed to stop the oil on the third day.
In a press release on September 13, 2004 CanArgo stated, “the well is
flowing a considerable amount of oil and gas under what appears to be
significant pressure.” They added that “one of the world’s leading well
control specialists is scheduled to arrive today to assist in capping
the well.”
Later on September 13, 2004 the company issued a second release noting
that the well had been capped and “the situation is now under control.”
A month after the borehole catastrophe, experts investigating the reason
for the disaster concluded that it was not the fault of the oil workers,
but was due to uncontrollable and unforeseeable processes happening deep
in the earth – the N100 well itself extends some 16,000 feet below the
surface.
In its recent articles Khvalindeli Dghe reported that the company is
using old Soviet machines that are not as safe as modern Western
machines in its exploration and quoted the company’s technical director
Aleko Chichinadze as saying, “I saw drilling machines in Arabia which
cost USD 100 million but we were not able to buy them.”
The company, however, notes that they were preparing the well for an
under balanced coiled tubing drilling program that CanArgo’s CEO and
President David Robson, during at last week’s conference of the
America-Georgia Business Council, described as one of the most modern
systems in use.
The oil blow-out damaged approximately 30 hectares of woods, and the
damage is so bad that residents state in 3 hectares it is impossible to
save the trees. The company has begun cleaning the woods and the earth
and specialists from Britain have been brought in to help the clean-up
process. The work is complicated by the complex nature of the land,
which includes 60-degree slopes.
So far, 1,700 local residents have received check ups in medical
institutions and some of them have been kept in hospitals. According to
media reports, during the first three days some of the local population
had symptoms of poisoning and the drinking water was contaminated
forcing people to bring water from neighboring villages in tanks. The
company has promised the population that it will drill wells and supply
them with drinking water. It has also purchased the grape harvest from
farmers, paying the market price.
2. BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN PIPELINE COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW PROTOCOLS WITH THE
GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA
New BP Social l Investment Program
Source: The Messenger, October 12, 2004
Monday, October 11, 2004 – The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline Company (BTC
Co.) today announced the signature of two protocols with the Government
of Georgia.
Mr. Michael Townshend, Chief Executive Officer Co., signed protocols –
relating to pipeline security, completion of additional work under BTC’s
Environmental Permit and the creation of new grant program for Georgia –
with the Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Zurab Zhvania on Sunday
October 11, 2004.
The signing was followed by a joint trip to Borjomi with Prime Minister
Zhvania, Minister of Environment Tamar Lebanidze, Secretary of the
National Security Council Gela Bezhuashvili and BP President David
Woodward to visit pipeline construction and publicly announce the
agreements.
BP, operator of the BTC pipeline, used the occasion and the visit of Mr.
Andrey Inglis, BP’s Executive Vice President and Deputy Chief Executive
of Exploration and Production to announce a substantial new social
investment program, for Georgia.
In the first protocol, BTC Co. and the Government of Georgia
acknowledged conclusion of work on the Continuing Activities under the
Environmental Permit fort eh BTC Environmental and Social Impact
Assessment. Under the protocol; the parties will enter into two further
agreements:
(1) The Security Protocol which will formulize obligations concerning
the provision of the pipeline security in a manner consistent with
international security and human rights undertakings, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Voluntary Principles on
Security and Human Rights.
(2) In connection with this Protocol, an Agreement on provision of
Security Equipment & Facilities for the Borjomi region. Through this
agreement, BTCCo. will provide the government with a range of necessary,
non-lethal items including vehicles and accommodation for government
security personnel, together with maintenance support the total value of
the items to be provided is US$1 million per year for the remaining life
of the pipeline.
In the second protocol, BTC Co. and the Government of Georgia
anticipated the signature of an Agreement on Establishment of a Grant
Program for Georgia. Under this agreement, BTCCo. will provide a series
of grants to the government, which are to be used for funding of social
and economic projects for the benefit of the people of Georgia. The
total funding for the program amounts to US$40 million through to 2010,
which a further US$1 million per year for the remaining life of the
pipeline. The first grant payment is US$9 million.
The intent of the grants is to support the government’s ongoing
socio-economic development priorities during a critical period before
its pipeline tariff revenues reach their maximum level. The grants are
in addition to BTC Co.’s existing social and community investment
projects.
Through its simultaneously announced new social investment program, BP
will invest $US10 million in Georgia in a range of projects. The
program’s themes will include: education, healthcare, cultural heritage,
energy sector revitalization and the promotion of business and civil
society links between Georgia and the European Union.
At the signing, Mr. Inglis said: “BP is committee to a successful,
long-term relationship with Georgia. We attached particular importance
to supporting the socio-economic development of the country and
protecting Georgia’s environment. As the operator of BTC and several
other important projects in Georgia, we intend to be Georgia’s guest and
partner for the next forty years.”
Mr. Townshend added: “Today’s agreements will deliver tangible benefits
to the people of Georgia. They also set in place a comprehensive
security plan for the Borjomi region that is consistent with our high
standards of human rights. We recognized that the Borjomi region is
unique, and BTC Co. is committed to operating to the highest
international standards – both there and along the rest of the
pipeline.”
3. BP AND EURASIA SIGN AGREEMENT ON NEW PIPELINE MONITORING PROGRAM FOR
GEORGIAN NGOS
Source: The Messenger, October 13, 2004
Tuesday, October 12, 2004 – BP and Eurasia Foundation are pleased to
announce that they have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to
being implementation of a new 18-month program for Georgian
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) interested in progress of
construction and operations of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline
and South Caucasian gas pipeline (SCP).
The Pipeline Monitoring and Dialogue Initiative (PMDI) is intended to
create a new, independent forum promoting more effective NGO involvement
in pipeline monitoring and information dissemination. PMDI provides
avenues for NGOs to receive more complete information about the
projects, improve their skills in carrying out practical monitoring of
pipeline project implementation, and serve the informational needs of
communities located along the pipeline corridor. Eurasia Foundation will
manage the program, facilitate and coordinate NGO participation, and
serve as the primary liaison between BP and participating NGO
representatives.
The program has two main parts:
1. Training and monitoring for individuals, which creates monitoring
work groups representing a cross section of Georgian NGOs. Work groups
will undertake monitoring activities focusing on key areas of interest
such as environmental and social issues, cultural heritage and labor
rights. The reports produced by these groups will be published as part
of the PMDI process, and will promote constructive dialogue on the
selected thematic issues.
2. A small grants program targeted at teams of NGOs to promote skills
development and information sharing among Tbilisi based rural NGOs along
the pipeline route. As part of the PMDI grants program, larger and
smaller NGOs will work together to build organizational capacity with
the aim of better serving the informational needs of communities located
along the pipeline route.
The program will be supported by a coalition of external donors, to
ensure independence of PMDI monitoring activities from BTC/SCP. Details
of the full spectrum of donor cooperation are currently being finalized.
At the signing of the agreement, BP Georgia External Affairs Manager
Devid Glendinning said, “We have tried to implement the BTC and SCP
pipeline projects in a very transparent way and have consulted widely
with communities, government and NGOs. This project is a new and
important part of that process. We are delighted to be able to work with
Eurasia Foundation and we hope the project will improve NGOs’
understanding of the work are doing and give us some valuable input on
how we can improve going forward.”
Adrea Harris, Regional Vice President of Eurasia Foundation, added, “It
is critical that the NGO community be involved in monitoring efforts
along the pipeline route. But lack of resource time and skills have
often made this difficult to achieve to date on a sustained basis. PMDI
will build transferable and substantive skills in the civil sector, and
it will promote constructive dialogue between NGOs and the pipeline
operations. BTC/SCP are to be commended for their proactive stance on
providing opportunities for going community engagement through this
partnership. Our conviction is that the Georgian NGO community will
benefit greatly from this capacity building program now and for years to
come.”
Eurasia Foundation has already discussed the program with several
interested NGOs and will be sending out information on registration
shortly.
4. ARMENIAN PROPOSALS FOR EXTRA U.S. AID SHELVED
Source: RFE/RL, October 10, 2004
The Armenian government has postponed the submission of its proposals
for additional U.S. assistance under the Millennium Challenge Account
(MCA) program and will have to lower its aid expectations, Finance
Minister Vartan Khachatrian revealed on Tuesday.
Mr. Khachatrian said an Armenian delegation led by him unveiled no
written proposals when it met in Washington last week with top
executives from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S.
government agency handling the multimillion-dollar scheme designed to
promote economic and political reform around the world.
It was launched by President George W. Bush earlier this year. Armenia
was included on the list of 16 developing nations eligible for the
initial installment of $1 billion.
Officials said last month that the Armenian government will ask for as
much as $900 million in MCA funds to be provided in the next three
years. They said it would like to spend most of the money on
reconstructing the country’s battered irrigation and drinking water
infrastructure.
It remained unclear why Yerevan decided not to submit the proposals to
the U.S. government contrary to the expectations. One of the reasons
cited Vartan Khachatrian was that the amount of MCA funds earmarked for
the new U.S. fiscal year has been cut by half to $1.5 billion.
Vartan Khachatrian also said the two sides agreed that the Armenian
government will file its proposals `by the end of the year,’ after a
visit to Yerevan by a team of MCC officials. He indicated that the
amount of extra U.S. aid sought by the government will have to be
revised downwards.
The countries eligible for the scheme were chosen on the basis of 16
indicators of political and economic reforms. A senior U.S. State
Department official dealing with relations with Armenia warned in May
that Yerevan should improve its human rights record if it wants to
secure the vital assistance. According to Vartan Khachatrian, U.S.
officials were less critical of that record during the Washington talks.
5. HOMELESS PEOPLE GATHERED IN ANGRY PROTEST OUTSIDE YEREVAN CITY HALL
Source: A1 Plus, October 12, 2004
Yerevan mayor Yervand Zakaryan promised the people driven from their
homes because of construction of Northern Avenue in Armenia’s capital to
think over the problem and make compromising decisions by Monday.
Monday passed with no sign of imminent progress. On Tuesday, homeless
citizens once again gathered outside City Hall, demanding bigger
compensation. They said 50 families evicted from their homes had signed
a contract on a paltry compensation. The demonstrators say they signed
the contract under “red berets” pressure and were forced to leave their
homes.
The protesters are now waiting to be received by the municipality. No
response is got so far.
6. INTERREGIONAL VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES TO TAKE PLACE IN 7 ARMENIAN
REGIONS AND YEREVAN ON OCT 28-29
Source: /ARKA/, October 7, 2004
Interregional volunteer activities will take place in 7 Armenian regions
and Yerevan on Oct 28-29, IFES Yerevan Office. The goal of the activity
is encouragement of volunteer movement and activity of public
organizations as effective means for joining of communities in expanding
of local problems. By participating in the activity, Armenian citizens,
receive good opportunity to demonstrate civil activity and make
practical contribution in development of their communities.
The activity is conducted in Armenia for the 4th time.
7. RA PRESIDENT: ARMENIAN DIASPORA SHOULD BE MORE ACTIVE IN ASSISTING
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN ARMENIA
Source: /ARKA/, October 7, 2004
Armenian Diaspora should more actively assist the implementation of
development projects in Armenia.
According to the Press Service Department of RA President, this was
stated by the RA President Robert Kocharian today at his meeting with
the delegates of the 83rd conference of Armenian General Benevolent
Union (AGBU). The President highly appreciated the activities of AGBU in
cultural and educational areas and expressed hope that this work will be
continued in future at the current pace. In his turn, Perch Sedrakyan,
the President of AGBU noted that the reforms in Armenia are noticeable.
“Although there still exist a lot of problems, it is apparent that the
country moves forward overcoming the barriers”, he said.
83rd AGBU conference is being held in Yerevan. 150 participants from 24
countries arrived in Yerevan to participate in the conference.
8. THE CONFERENCE OF THE COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES OF THE PAN-ARMENIAN
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CENTER FOUNDATION HELD IN YEREVAN
Source: /ARKA/, October 11, 2004
The conference of the council of trustees of the Pan-Armenian
International Youth Center Foundation was held in Yerevan. According to
the RA Government’s Press Service and Public Relations Department, in
the course of the conference, in which RA Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan took part, the Executive Director of the Fund A. Sinanyan
introduced the report on the second youth forum held in Armenia on July
24-29, 2004. The results of the conference were introduced, including
reports and protocols of the plenary session and the sessions of
thematic and working groups, as well as information concerning informal
discussions, the program of the forum and the way it was covered by the
Mass Media. Sinanyan noted that as compared to the first forum, the
second one had a wider geography of the participants, and the scope of
the issues discussed.
Sinanyan summed up the suggestions made during the forum, sating that
they will be taken into consideration when holding a similar forum next
year, and this will allow increasing the efficiency of it.
In his turn, Margaryan noted that it’s necessary to inform the
participants of the forum of its results, and noted the importance of
using the potential of the youth of the Armenian Diaspora to achieve the
goals of the forum. Margaryan suggested involving young representatives
of the Diaspora, who don’t speak Armenian, when developing the further
programs.
9. ITERA OIL AND GAS COMPANY HOLDS NEGOTIATIONS ON SELLING 10% OF THE
SHARES OF ARMRUSGASPROM CJSC FOR $ 30 MLN
Source: /ARKA/, October 11, 2004
ITERA oil and gas company holds negotiations on selling 10% of the
shares of ArmRusgasprom CJSC to one of the West European investment
corporations. According to Regions.Ru referring to ArmRusgasprom, the
cost of the deal can make about $30 mln. At that, the sources didn’t
mention the possible buyer of the shares. According to some analysts of
the gas market, the decision on selling the shares of ArmRusgasprom is
connected with the company’s not becoming the participant of the
consortium for the construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline in
Meghri-Kajaran part. The construction will begin in the end of 2004.
In the meantime, as a reply to the corresponding inquiry of ARKA, the
Press Service of ArmRusgasprom refused to comment this information
“proceeding from the ethical considerations”. According to Shoushan
Sardaryan, this issue refers only to ITERA’s administration and RA
Government, as the shareholders of ArmRusgasprom. On September 8, the
agreement on the construction of the Armenian part of Armenia-Iran gas
pipeline in Meghri-Kajaran was signed in Yerevan. The construction and
funding of the Armenian part of the gas pipeline will do the Iranian
company.
Armenia-Russian ArmRusgasprom CJSC is the only supplier of the natural
gas to Armenia. The company was founded in 1997 to sell the natural gas
to local consumers and to transport Russian gas through the territory of
Armenia to other countries. The co-founders of the company are Russian
Gasprom OJSC (45%), ITERA International Group of Companies (10%), and
the RA Ministry of Energy (45%). The authorized stock capital of
ArmRusgasprom CJSC makes $270 mln. ArmRusgasprom CJSC imported 1,2 bln
cubic meters of gas into Armenia in 2003 instead of the planned 1,6 bln.
The number of subscribers of ArmRusgasprom increased by 54 thsd. and
made 186 in 2003.
10. 6 MONTH IMPRISONMENT FOR BEATING A JOURNALIST
Source :A1 Plus, October 11, 2004
Today the First Instance Court of Kotayk District sentenced Gagik
Stepanyan, the defendant over the case of journalists Anna Israelyan and
Mkhitar Khachatryan to 6-month-long imprisonment.
Let’s remind that on August 24 this person seized a memory chip from
“Fotolur” Agency photographer Mkhitar Khachatryan cursing and doing
violence and outraged “Aravot” Daily correspondent Anna Israelyan.
At today’s trial the defendant cursed the journalists covering the
trial.
11. ARMENIAN ANTICORRUPTION COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS 10 MAIN AREAS OF
ACTIVITY
Yerevan, 11 October: The anticorruption monitoring commission under the
Armenian president at today’s sitting determined 10 directions of
activity.
Bagrat Yesayan, Armenian presidential aide on issues of combating
corruption and chairman of the commission, told the sitting that a
separate working group will function for each direction, where it is
expected to involve representatives of the country’s public
organizations. The directions for commission’s activities, as Yesayan
said, are:
1. Control over the activities of state organizations specializing in
the sphere of finance – the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank
2. Control over the financial activities of physical and legal entities
3. Control over the activities of the legal system
4. Control over the activities of the judicial system
5. Control over the public health system
6. Control over the public health system [as published]
7. Education sphere
8. Control over the sphere of environment
9. Transport and communications
10. Control over the sphere of economic competition
Yesayan also said that in connection with numerous cases of violation of
laws of the Armenian Republic in the media and mass media outlets, a
special working group of the commission, headed by the chairman of the
Association of journalists-investigators, Eduard Bagdasaryan, will
monitor the fulfilment of the abovesaid laws.
Bagdasaryan immediately proposed setting up a special website to publish
declarations about the properties owned by the country’s officials.
Apart from this, Bagdasaryan familiarized members of the commission with
a decision by the Yerevan mayor to allocate free of charge 6,000 square
metres of [office space] worth 240,000 dollars for a certain public
organization supporting the combating of terrorism, which is a gross
violation of the country’s legislation. Asked by Bagdasaryan on how this
should be combated, Bagrat Yesayan said that this decision should be
handed over to the relevant bodies, and if they failed to do anything,
these facts should be made public and that he should inform the
president of this “not as a journalist, but as a member of the
anticorruption monitoring commission”. The commission is not entitled to
carry out its own investigation, Yesayan said.
12. ARMENIA’S ONLY ELEPHANT TO GET AN INDIAN COMPANION
Source: Mail & Guardian Online, South Africa, October 13, 2004
The only male elephant in Armenia’s zoo will get an Indian female
companion this week, a news report said on Wednesday. Armenian officials
had asked the Indian government for a female pachyderm in 1999, for its
sole male elephant originally from Moscow.
Indian premier Atal Behari Vajpayee promised them an elephant during a
visit to Armenia last year. Acknowledging that their gift was late,
Indian officials were quoted as saying in the Hindu newspaper that the
elephant would help “cement” India-Armenia ties.
Eight-year-old Komala weighs 1 500kg and lives in a zoo in the southern
Indian city of Mysore. She will travel in a specially-made container to
Bangalore on Thursday from where the Armenian government will fly her,
mildly sedated in a cargo plane, the report said. Mysore zoo
veterinarian SM Khadri described Komala as “exceptionally well behaved,
obedient and in good health”.
She is an “F2” elephant, or one that is bred in captivity. India only
sends “F2” elephants abroad, Khadri said. Accompanying her through the
acclimatization process will be a “mahout” or handler and a team of
veterinarians. – Sapa.
13. INVITATION TO EUROPEAN INFORSE
We would like to invite you to:
European Energy Policy Seminar – An INFORSE-EUFORES-EREF Event
“A Seminar on New and Upcoming EU Policies for Sustainable Energy and
Climate Protection” NOVEMBER 9-10, 2004, BRUSSELS Institute of Cultural
Affairs rue Amedé Lynen 8, Bruxelles (near metro Madou)
Please see the PROGRAM below in txt format PROGRAM & REGISTRATION FORM
also available
in word doc and pdf at:
COSTS: 100 EUR including lunch and refreshments. Free for INFORSE-Europe
members.
INFORSE-Europe activities are supported by the DG-Environment Civil
Society Support in 2004.
For more information please contact:
INFORSE-Europe,
att. Gunnar Boye Olesen, E-mail: [email protected],
Ph: +45-86227000, Fax: +45 86227096.
14. VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
TERMS OF REFERCES FOR EXPERT
Task: Socio-Economic Driving Forces of the Kura River Basin Degradation
The Kura-Aras river system is an internationally significant river
basin, which is seriously degraded and continues to be threatened. Water
scarcity is an issue at many points in the river system. Water quality
and quantity constraints may increasingly lead to disputes amongst water
users over the coming years. Integrated, multi-country, trans-boundary
responses are necessary to address the threats to the river system, and
their underlying causes.
The main objective of project is to address institutional and technical
needs for integrated water resources planning and management at the
national level. The project aims at building national capacity for
Integrated Water Resources Planning and Management;
Duties and responsibilities
Major objective of the task is as follow:
ž To identify and analyze main socio-economic driving forces causing
degradation in the Kura River Basin. This would help to create an
inclusive picture of all anthropogenic factors contributing in pressure
generation, as well as to identify necessary measures for preventing and
overcoming degradation processes in the Kura-Aras River Basin.
In order to achieve above mentioned objective UNDP will hire the Expert
to analyse following driving forces of basin degradation:
Population growth. Under this task expert will look through: annual
population growth, and future trends (population dynamics), trends of
rural and urban migrations, per capita available fresh water resources
in dynamics, development indicators.
Economic development.
Agricultural activities: Under this task expert will look through:
available arable land, main crops cultivated in the basin, use of
fertilizers, pesticides, regions with soil salinization problems caused
by agricultural activities, data about soil salinity, fresh water
salinity, drainage water salinity (if available), irrigation water
quality, eutrofication caused by intensive use of fertilizers, land
desertification problems caused by agricultural activities, soil
erosion; problems of land fragmentation and negative outcomes for
efficiency;
Industry: Under this task expert will look through: major pollution
sources, water contamination, soil contaminations from industry, loss of
biodiversity due to pollution and other industrial activities;
Domestic/ municipal use of water: Under this task expert will look
through: drinking water consumption rates and increase in demand, urban
and rural sewage water discharge in water ecosystems (problems of sewage
water treatment), landfills in the basin (their location), threats from
the leakage of hazardous components to groundwater systems, waste
dumping in rivers and other water reservoirs, lake eutrofication caused
by untreated sewage water discharge, management problems of
wastewater and waste disposal from sanitation and health facilities
Power generation: Under this task expert will look through: large dams
in the basin with severe effects on natural ecosystem, present trends of
small dam construction and possible effects (positive/ negative),
country policies in energy sector, other constructions including
non-power generating constructions
Forestry: Under this task expert will look through: timber production
rates (annual cut), the scale of uncontrolled forest logging, outcomes
of uncontrolled forest logging – deforestation and trends for future,
deforestation due to energy crises (annual consumption of firewood);
Tourism and recreation: Under this task expert will look through:
impacts on ecosystems from existing recreation sites, increase of water
demand, ecosystems degradation due to the construction activities
(recreation facilities, road network, communication needs, power
generation and supply, etc.)
Low public awareness: Under this task expert will look through:
availability of information about the main threats in the basin,
availability of information about environmentally sound practices,
availability and level of activeness of local environmental NGOs in the
basin, access of wide public to the environmental, information through
TV/mass media, electronic publication, etc
Quantitative and qualitative methods will be employed to conduct this
study. The study will be based on existing materials, studies that have
been carried out and interviews and meetings with relevant authorities.
These methods include:
ž Collection, synthesis and analyses of existing data and information
from government body representatives, NGOs and international development
agencies having specific data required for analysis;
ž In-depth interviews
The project team members will provide technical assistance, help in
preparation of detailed questioner for interviews, and assist in data
collection.
Reporting requirements
ž The expert is responsible for drafting report according to the scope
of work;
ž Report should be submitted electronically in Russian;
ž If the work requirements are not met report can be revised upon its
satisfactory completion;
Qualifications and skills required
ž A degree in environmental economics or resource management;
ž Working experience with socio-economic aspects of environmental
degradation issues;
Terms and conditions:
The expert will undertake the works within three months after signing
the contract. The payment will be made in two installments: the first 50
percent of the total will be paid upon submitting first draft of the
report and the second 50 percent – after responding to the comments and
final acceptance of the report by project Team Leader. Total amount of
payment will be negotiated with the Project Team Leader.
Qualified candidates interested to undertake works under the Terms of
Reference should submit their Curriculum Vitae by ordinary mail, by fax
or electronically no later than Friday, October 25, 2004, 6 p.m. to:
Zurab Jincharadze, Team Leader
E:Mail: [email protected]
Tel/Fax: 995 32 292742
Ms. Nino Malashkhia, Technical Assistant
E-mail: [email protected]
And
Ms. Mariam Shotadze, UNDP Georgia, Programme Analyst
[email protected]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
October 15, 2004
___________________
GEORGIAN ARCHBISHOP VISITS EASTERN DIOCESE
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), met with Georgian Orthodox Church
Archbishop Nicholaos of the Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo region of Georgia,
at the Diocesan Center in New York City on Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Archbishop Nicholaos was in America planning an upcoming visit by
Georgian Orthodox His Holiness Patriarch Illia II. He talked with the
Primate about the possibility of the Patriarch visiting the St. Vartan
Cathedral, as he did during an earlier visit to the U.S.
The two archbishops also talked about reaching out to the Armenians who
live in the Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo region of Georgia. Archbishop
Barsamian presented Archbishop Nicholaos with a copy of the
Russian-language Divine Liturgy pew book, so his Armenian worshipers can
learn prayers in both Russian and Armenian, rather than Georgian.
Also at the meeting was Garnik Nanagoulian, executive director of the
Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), the Diocesan-affiliated international
aid organization. They spoke of possible ways FAR could join with other
organizations to work on improving the lives of the Armenians in Georgia
and their Georgian neighbors.
— 10/15/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presents a Russian-language
Divine Liturgy pew book to Georgian Orthodox Church Archbishop Nicholaos
of the Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo region of Georgia, during a meeting at
the Diocesan Center in New York City.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Garnik Nanagoulian, executive director of the Fund
for Armenian Relief (FAR), talks with Georgian Orthodox Church
Archbishop Nikoloz of the Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo region of Georgia,
during a meeting at the Diocesan Center on October 14, 2004.
# # #
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JEHOVAH WITNESSES ARE REGISTERED AND ARRESTED
A1 Plus | 20:40:12 | 15-10-2004 | Politics |
On October 8 Armenian Justice Ministry registered “Jehovah Witnesses”
religious organization. But the same day a young man, a Jehovah
witness having rejected military service was arrested.
A few Jehovah witnesses were arrested after the Law on “Alternative
Military Service” had been approved and come into force. The young
Jehovah witnesses were arrested on August 26, September 30, October
7 and 8 whereas the Law became valid on July 1.
The trials took place on October 12, 13, 14. 2 young men are still
waiting for the trial.
All the young people arrested were sentenced to 2-year-long
imprisonment while they had put in applications for alternative
military service. Helsinki Association Chair Michael Danielyan informed
us about this.
This proves the standpoint of PM, saying laws must be applied to do
away with the sects.
Justice Minister Press Secretary has told us recently that Justice
Ministry is not commissioned to be occupied with the problems of young
people avoiding military service and arrested. The young men themselves
must protect their own rights and to address a request to release them.
Michael Danielyan is against the point of view. “They weren’t
imprisoned of their own free will. They must be released. It was the
demand of PACE, which hasn’t yet been implemented”.

la version francaise suit l’anglais:
ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF CANADA
3401 Olivar-Asselin
Montréal, Québec
H4J 1L5
Tél. (514) 334-1299 Fax (514) 334-6853
——————————————————————————–
PRESS RELEASE
15 October 2004
Contacts: Shant Karabajak 514-334-1299
Roupen Kouyoumdjian 514-336-7095
Aris Babikian 416-497-8972
For immediate release:
ARMENIANS CONCERNED OVER AZERBAIJAN’S CONTINUING WAR RHETORIC
The Armenian National Committee of Canada as well as other Canadian Armenian
organizations have voiced their concern over the ever increasing war rhetoric
uttered by the leaders of Azerbaijan.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has repeatedly declared that
Azerbaijan could launch a new war in Karabagh. Just two months ago, he stated,
“At any moment we must be able to liberate our territories by military means.
To achieve this we have everything.” Aliyev has directly linked Azerbaijan’s
economic progress to its military “superiority”. “Under these circumstances we
cannot react positively to those calling us to compromise,” Aliyev stated.
Last year, as reported by BBC Monitoring, Azerbaijani Defense Minister General
Safar Abiyev said that occasional violations of the cease-fire were “natural”
since “Azerbaijan is still at war”. Such statements not only undermine the
peace process, but also serve to encourage attacks against Armenia.
On September 11, 2004, while meeting with the population of the town of Barda,
regarding budget increases in defense spending Aliyev stated: “It will
strengthen our Armed Forces and will make the army one of the guarantors of
settling the Karabakh conflict”. “The people of Azerbaijan must be prepared to
liberate its occupied lands by force.” he added.
Dr. Girair Basmadjian, president of the Armenian National Committee of Canada
was quoted as saying: “It deeply worries me that such rhetoric may result in
the resumption of military activity in the region. I would really like to see
the International Community in general and the Canadian government in
particular publicly denounce such warmongering and prevent resumption of
hostilities.”
-30-
Comité National Arménien du Canada
3401 Olivar-Asselin
Montréal, Québec
H4J 1L5
Tél. (514) 334-1299 Fax (514) 334-6853
——————————————————————————–
Communiqué de Presse
15 Octobre, 2004
Contacts: Shant Karabajak 514-334-1299
Roupen Kouyoumdjian 514-336-7095
Aris Babikian 416-497-8972
Pour diffusion immédiate:
Les Arméniens sont inquiétés par la rhétorique de guerre invoquée par
l’Azerbaidjan
Le Comité National Arménien du Canada ainsi que plusieurs autres organizations
arméniennes sont inquiets de la rhétorique guerrière invoquée de plus en plus
par les dirigeants de l’Azerbaidjan.
Le Président de l’Azerbaidjan, Ilham Aliyev, a declaré à plusieurs reprises la
possibilité que la guerre au Karabagh reprenne. Il y a deux mois, il annonca;
“à tout moment nous devons être capable de liberer nos territoires par biais de
l’action militaire. Pour réussir nous avons tous ce qu’il nous faut.” Aliyev
continua en affirmant que “sous les présentes circonstances, nous ne pouvons
réagir de façon positive à ceux qui nous demandent de faire des compromis.”
L’année passée, tel que rapporté par BBC Monitoring, le Ministre de la Défense
de l’Azerbaidjan, Général Safar Abiyev, a dit que les violations du
cessez-le-feu occasionnelles sont “naturelles, puisque l’Azerbaidjan est
toujours en état de guerre.” De telles affirmations ne peuvent que nuire au
processus de paix et qu’encourager de l’action militaire contre l’Arménie.
Le 11 septembre, 2004, lors d’un entretien avec la population du village de
Barda, citant une augmentation dans les dépenses militaires, Aliyev affirma:
“Cela renforcera nos Forces Armées et leur fera l’une des assureurs de la
résolution du conflit du Haut Karabagh”. “Le peuple azeri doit être prêt à
liberer ses territoires par la force” ajouta-t-il.
Le Dr. Girair Basmadjian, Président du Comité National Arménien du Canada a
dit; “Ca m’inquiète énormemment d’entendre de tels propos qui peuvent
éventuellement mener à la résomption du conflit armé dans la région. Je
voudrais voir la Communauté Internationale en général et le Gouvernement
Canadien en particulier condamner publiquement les déclarations militaristes du
Président azeri et d’empêcher la reprise des hostilités.”
-30-

Armenian Station Abruptly Suspends New RFE/RL Television Show
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
tel: 202-457-6900 * fax: 202-457-6992
CONTACT: Donald Jensen +1-202-457-6948
PRESS RELEASE
(Prague/Washington–October 15, 2004) A new television program created
by and featuring news and analysis from RFE/RL’s Armenian Service,
was abruptly pulled from the schedule of the local Armenian television
station “Kentron” on October 13, according to service director Hrair
Tamrazian. Although the television station’s management has made no
comment on the decision, it is widely suspected that Kentron was
pressured to suspend further broadcasts of the program, either by
official interests or local media competitors.
The television show, a 30-minute long analytical program called
“Azatutiun” (Liberty), debuted to rave reviews on Kentron Sunday,
October 10 and was rebroadcast by Kentron the next day, October
11. Two days later, Tamrazian was informed by Kentron director Petros
Ghazarian that the show would be “indefinitely suspended.” Kentron
has not commented on the reasons behind his station’s decision.
Tamrazian said, “I am very disappointed that, after tireless efforts
by RFE/RL and Kentron that resulted in a very successful TV show, it
was suspended for as yet unknown reasons. I call on the authorities
to investigate this matter and hope that Kentron and RFE/RL will
continue in a joint project that was eagerly awaited by many viewers
and listeners in Armenia.”
Many viewers called the Armenian Service after the show, to express
their appreciation for the program. Viewers said that the program
was a “breakthrough” for Armenian television, because of RFE/RL’s
objectivity, as well as for featuring a new format with two moderators
(male and female) and the show’s ability to “connect” with its
audience. The first show featured an exclusive report from Strasbourg
on recent debate about Armenia in the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE), as well as exclusive interviews about
Armenian-Turkish relations with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian and new U.S. Ambassador John M. Evans.
Viewer enthusiasm, however, was tempered with suspicion that the
show may not remain on the air for long. Said one caller, a teacher:
“My neighbors and I would only love to watch Radio Liberty programs on
TV. But will the authorities agree to that? They kicked out A1+. Will
they let you go on TV?”
The suspension of the “Azatutiun” program was widely covered in
the Armenian press on October 14. According to the daily newspaper
“Haykakan Zhamanak,” “Last Sunday Kentron viewers watched the televised
version of Radio Liberty, but their joy did not last long because
Kentron management decided to limit liberty on its air.”
“Aravot” daily reported on its front page that “Azatutiun” had been
“closed.” The paper went on to allege that the head of Armenian state
television and radio, Aleksan Harutiunian, was instrumental in the ban
because he wanted RFE/RL to lease airtime from his channel and pay for
that. But, “Aravot” writes, it also did not rule out political motives
behind the move, noting that it could be that “the authorities still
do not tolerate any uncontrolled programs on the air.” Harutiunian,
in an interview published in today’s edition of “Aravot,” denied any
involvement in the suspension of “Azatutiun”.
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service broadcasts four hours of programming a
day to Armenia, produced in Prague and the service’s Yerevan Bureau
and transmitted to listeners via shortwave, satellite and FM, AM,
Cable Radio, UKV and longwave signals provided by local affiliate
stations. Azerbaijani Service programming is also available via
the Internet, at the service’s website and
at
# # #
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a private, international
communications service to Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central and
Southwestern Asia funded by the U.S. Congress through the Broadcasting
Board of Governors.

York Daily Record, PA
Oct 15 2004
SOUND PLUS VISION EQUALS INTRIGUING EXHIBIT AT YORKARTS
Friday, October 15, 2004
Most people walk past their television sets and don’t give them much
thought. But it’s almost impossible to ignore the strange boob tube
currently on display at YorkArts.
When visitors pass by the TV, a sensor is tripped that causes a nearby
telephone to ring. The voice on the phone then recites passages from
a self-help book.
“It’s kind of the idea that sometimes people turn to the television
for advice,” said Justin Ayala, YorkArts’ program specialist. “And
sometimes it’s not the most sound advice that comes from the
television.”
“Idiot Box,” a piece by Matt Glick of West Chester, is one of several
featured in the audio-visual exhibit “Eye & Ear.” The show features
the work of 13 artists from around the country and continues at
YorkArts, 10 N. Beaver St., York, through Nov. 29.
Other pieces in the exhibit:
– “Ron & Duncan”: Scott Kaplan’s piece features a large shipping crate
with a circle cut out in the bottom. Visitors sit in a chair under
the box, and when they put their head inside the upholstered hole,
a story is told about a group of friends that go on a trip. One
of the friends gets lost and turns up dead. “It elicits a lot of
questions,” Ayala said. “It gets you walking away from it thinking,
‘Is this a real story?'”
– “88”: Eighty-eight piano keys are bound together by a piece of hemp
rope, forming a circular sculpture. Ayala said some pieces in “Eye &
Ear,” like this item by Jerry King Musser, imply a sound rather than
featuring actual sound.
– “Bread Series & Immigration”: The piece by Armenia native Apo
Torosyan features four paintings that have pieces of toast embedded
inside of them. Six-hundred pounds of earth has been dumped in front
of the paintings.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but the gallery
usually stays open until about 5 p.m.

Chinese foreign minister to attend CICA FMs’ meeting in Almaty
Xinhua, China
Oct 15 2004
2004-10-15 22:31:51
BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhuanet) — Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing
will pay an official visit to Armenia, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan and
attend the foreign ministers’ meeting of the Conference on Interaction
and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia(CICA) to be held from October
18 to 24 in Almaty.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue made the announcementshere
Friday, saying that Li will make this tour at the invitation of Kazakh
State Secretary-Minister of Foreign Affairs KasymzhomartKemelevich
Tokayev, Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanyan,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs ofTurkmenistan
Rashid Meredov, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar
Mammadyarov.
CICA, a forum aimed at increasing security in Asia, was first
proposed by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the 47th
UN general assembly in 1992 and its 16 members include China,
Russia,Egypt, Afghanistan, Israel, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, India and
Palestine. Enditem
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
October 15, 2004
___________________
SUNDAY SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS FROM SISTER CHRUCHES SHARE IDEAS
On Saturday October 9, 2004, Christian educators from all five Oriental
Orthodox churches gathered for a meeting at the Eastern Diocesan Center
in New York City.
The meeting had several goals. One was to learn about each tradition
and produce resources to teach Sunday School teachers about our sister
churches. The educators also worked on ways they could support one
another’s education efforts by drawing on successes, exploring similar
challenges, and working together on joint projects.
Another goal of the day-long meeting was to create an Oriental Orthodox
identity and presence in Sunday Schools, by cultivating relationships
between parishes and educators.
“This is so remarkable,” said Fr. Anthony Deluca, a representative of
the Malankara Church. “I don’t think the Oriental Orthodox churches
have ever been together in one room for this specific purpose before.”
The meeting was organized by the Standing Committee of Oriental Orthodox
Educators, and the participants will continue to define precise
objectives and plans each church can implement. They decided their
first task would be to create an information booklet outlining the
history, traditions, and demographics of each of the Oriental Orthodox
churches — Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Malankara, and Syrian.
The group will also plan a larger pan-Oriental Orthodox Sunday School
event for next year.
Representing the Armenian Church was Elise Antreassian, Diocesan
Christian education coordinator. She was joined in the meeting by Rev.
Dr. Anthony Deluca and James John both of the Malankara Church, Linda
Khoury of the Syrian Church, Hany Saleeb of the Coptic Church, and Dn.
Sayefa Selassie of the Ethiopian Church.
— 10/15/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Christian educators from the five Oriental Orthodox
churches gather at the Diocesan Center in New York City for a historic
gathering focused on combining efforts to educate our faithful.
# # #

PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES DELEGATION OF EURASIA FOUNDATION
[October 15, 2004, 19:41:12]
Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Oct 15 2004
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on 15 October at
the President Palace has received delegation of the Washington-based
Eurasia Foundation.
Greeting the guests, Head of the Azerbaijan State spoke of the
accomplishments reached last years in political, economic, social
and other fields in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan’s links with the international organizations, funds
and non-governmental organizations develop day by day, President
Ilham Aliyev noted. “From this standpoint, the visit of the Eurasia
Foundation’s delegation to Azerbaijan serves expansion of these
relations.”
Dwelling on the relations between Azerbaijan and the United States,
the President stressed intensive development of bilateral ties in
numerous fields.
The President of Azerbaijan also informed on dynamic economic
development of the Country, underlining that growth of GDP, volume
of investments and budget revenues is a good example of consecutive
realization of the economic reforms in Azerbaijan.
Touching upon Armenia’s aggression against the country, Head of the
Azerbaijan State said that the Armenian armed forces have occupied 20
percent of Azerbaijan’s lands, over one million people have become
refugees and IDPs in their homelands. He expressed hope that the
United States as one of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair would increase
its efforts for peace settlement of this conflict.
President Ilham Aliyev wished the visit of the delegation of Eurasia
Foundation to Azerbaijan to be successful.
Expressing his gratitude for sincere reception and kind words, the
Eurasia Fundation chair Mrs. Sarah Carey presented the authoritative
executives and politicians to the Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev,
told of success of their visit to Azerbaijan. She said the Foundation
promotes development of private section of economy, including
small and medium business, civil society and public management. The
Foundation is functioning in Azerbaijan since 1996, and currently
has 12 representations in the CIS space. The Foundation, mainly,
is financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID)
and gives grants to many organizations in Azerbaijan as well.
Mrs. Sarah Carey gave high assessment to activity of the Foundation’s
representation in Azerbaijan and expressed satisfaction with assistance
of Azerbaijan Government to the Foundation’s activities.
Head of the foreign relations department of President Administration
Novruz Mammadov, US assistant ambassador in Azerbaijan Jason Highland
took part at the reception.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijan: World Food Program Slashes Food Rations To Refugees Due To Funding Woes
By Jean-Christophe Peuch
Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
Oct 15 2004
The United Nations World Food Program says it has been forced to cut
its aid to displaced Azerbaijanis due to scarce funding. The agency’s
decision is likely to make life much harder for the tens of thousands
of civilians in the country who depend heavily on such foreign aid.
But the WFP’s assistance to displaced persons in the country is just
one aspect of the problem. Thousands of others — refugees from recent
wars in the Caucasus and elsewhere — are also living in Azerbaijan,
and in even worse conditions.
Prague, 15 October 2004 (RFE/RL) — The United Nations World Food
Program (WFP) has decided to reduce food rations for tens of thousands
of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Azerbaijan.
The agency says it is still looking for almost half of the money it
needs to finance a three-year operation that started in January 2003.
Donations collected so far from the United States, Japan, Luxembourg,
Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland amount to
only $11 million.
Rahman Chowdhury, who is the WFP’s country director in Azerbaijan, told
RFE/RL that both financial constraints and a shortage of food supplies
are responsible for the decision to cut assistance to Azerbaijan’s
IDPs. “We have not received enough food during the last couple of
months, and our in-country stocks of food commodities are such that
we cannot provide rations to all the IDPs that we are assisting now,”
he said. “So we decided that we would halve the rations of wheat flour
and that rations for other commodities — such as sugar and oil —
would remain as [they are].”
WFP food rations will be decreased to only 3 kilograms per person
per month.
There has been no official reaction from Baku. In private, however,
government officials lament the WFP’s decision, saying the UN program
should continue running in full until all IDPs are able to return home.
Azerbaijan witnessed the largest forced migrations that accompanied
the breakup of the Soviet Union.
First came thousands of Azeri refugees from Armenia, as tensions
between Yerevan and Baku flared up in the late 1980s. Later, after
Armenian separatists took control of Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh
enclave, tens of thousands of Azeris were forced to move into areas
controlled by Baku.
Joined by tens of thousands more Azeris, Kurds, and others, they
were later forced farther into exile as Armenian troops pushed east,
progressively occupying Azerbaijani territories bordering Karabakh.
As the Russian Army gradually broadened its operations to reassert
Moscow’s control over Chechnya, thousands more civilians fled the
breakaway republic through Daghestan and sought refuge in Azerbaijan.
Baku-based nongovernmental organizations believe the Karabakh war has
driven an estimated 800,000 people into exile — roughly one-10th of
Azerbaijan’s current population. In addition, they say some 70,000
refugees from Chechnya, Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, and Iraq
have found shelter in the country in recent years.
The Karabakh conflict was suspended in 1994. Yet Azerbaijan’s IDPs
cannot return to Armenian-occupied territories and have been living in
the same wretched conditions for the past 10 years. The $10 monthly
stipend they receive from the government does little to improve
their situation.
In the makeshift camps that surround the central towns of Saatli
and Sabirabad, families are crammed into one-room, mud-brick huts.
Elsewhere, people live in abandoned railway wagons and dugouts. About
one-third of children of IDPs reportedly suffer from malnutrition.
Chowdhury said the WFP’s decision to halve food rations may have
serious implications. “The consequences are quite tough because
the winter is coming and that will aggravate their hardships in
the coming months,” he said. “We are aware of this, but because we
don’t have enough food commodities and because we didn’t get enough
contributions from our donor countries in the last three months,
we had to resort to this [measure].”
The UN food agency is only assisting 145,000 IDPs it considers most
in need, and is not dealing with Azerbaijan’s refugees.
Vusal Rajabli is president of Hayat (Life), a Baku-based NGO that
provides humanitarian aid to refugees and IDPs across Azerbaijan. He
said refugees are much more vulnerable than IDPs because, unlike the
latter, they depend almost exclusively on foreign aid.
“Unfortunately, the assistance the government offers refugees is
scarce — I would even say it is extremely small. It covers only 5
to 10 percent of their needs. The government says it has just enough
resources to take care of its internal refugees. Therefore, all
the government can afford goes to IDPs. This makes the situation of
refugees much, much worse. Refugees are taken care of by the Office
of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and our organization in
partnership. The UNHCR offers them financial support, giving each
family that meets its criteria between $60 and $80 per month. But
[those families] represent only 30 percent of all refugees,”
Rajabli said.
Most refugees live in appalling conditions, squatting in deserted
buildings or — for those who get financial help from the UNHCR —
spending their meager subsidies on rooms or small apartments that
have neither heat nor running water.
To add to their hardship, Rajabli said most immigrants live in
administrative limbo and are scarcely protected by the temporary
refugee status offered by the UNHCR. “Most refugees live how they can
and where they can because the government does not help them find a
roof,” he said. “It must be said in its defense, though, that there
is not a single free public building, not a single free dormitory
left because the IDPs have occupied all of them. Yet the government
does not allocate any funds to build temporary refugee camps.”
Another problem facing refugees who arrived after the breakup of the
Soviet Union is the reluctance of Azerbaijani officials to consider
their applications for citizenship. “I haven’t heard of many cases
when those refugees managed to obtain citizenship,” Rajabli said. “I
would say they are 10 or 15 at most. But even these estimates are
questionable.”