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CENN Daily Digest - April 1, 2005

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  • CENN Daily Digest - April 1, 2005

    CENN - April 1, 2005 Daily Digest

    Table of Contents:

    1.. "Pipeline Sabotage is Terrorist's Weapon of Choice"
    2.. Turkish Admiral: We are Ready to Protect Caspian
    3.. SOCAR: No Strikes Only Bad Weather in Georgia
    4.. BTC: First Tanker to Sail in September
    5.. Ambassador: US Supports Kazakhstan in BTC
    6.. Pipes for South Caucasus Pipeline to Reach Place of Consignment
    7.. "Lukoil" Drills Second Exploratory Well in Caspian
    8.. Turkey: BTC Best Alternative
    9.. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Highlights Global Ecosystem
    Degradation
    10.. Inter-American Development Bank Sets New Environmental Compliance
    Policy
    11.. Genetically Modified Trees in Chile: A New Forest Conflict
    12.. The Second Call for Proposals Under the CEPF regional Programme
    13.. EIA Reports






    1. "Pipeline sabotage is terrorist's weapon of choice"



    Source: Pipeline and Gas Journal, March 2005



    The campaign against the world's vulnerable pipeline is likely to continue
    to spread new territories. The terrorist have already indicated interest in
    the nearly completed 1,000-miles Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, slated
    to transport 1 million barrels of oil a day form the Caspian Sea to Western
    markets through the Turkish port of Ceyhan. The pipeline is expected to be
    operated by the end of 2005 but even before construction ends, terrorist
    elements may already be planning attacks on it. According to Azerbaijan's
    National Security Minister, Namiq Abbasov, the country special services had
    obtained information that regional insurgent and members of al Qaeda are
    planning acts of sabotage against the pipeline.





    2. Turkish Admiral: we are ready to protect Caspian



    Source: Baku Today, March 29, 2005



    Turkish is ready to provide assistance to Azerbaijan in ensuring the
    security of Caspian oil fields, the visiting commander of the Turkish Navy,
    Fleet Admiral Ozden Ornek told journalists on Monday March 28, 2005.



    Ozden Ornek said that the issue of ensuring the security of the
    Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline will be in focus at his meetings with
    Azerbaijani officials. "One end of the pipeline should be safeguarded by
    Turkey, while the other one by Azerbaijan," said the Turkish Admiral,
    stressing that his country may also assist in ensuring the security of the
    Azeri section of the pipeline.





    3. SOCAR: no strikes only bad weather in Georgia



    Source: Washington Times, March 29, 2005



    According to a statement made by State Oil Company of the Republic of
    Azerbaijan (SOCAR) President Natiq Aliyev on March 23, 2005 SOCAR continues
    to deny reports that workers involved in the construction of the Georgian
    section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline are on strike. Aliyev
    emphasized: "The construction of the Georgian section is delayed due to poor
    weather conditions. However, the Georgian side makes every effort to
    complete construction operations by the end of April to receive the Azeri
    oil starting on 1 May."





    4. BTC: first tanker to sail in September



    Source: Oil and Gas Journal, March 30, 2005



    Exports of crude oil via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline will began
    in September, according to key state officials connected with the project.



    Gokhan Cologlu, director general of the Turkish section, announced the
    September date to an oil and gas conference in Ankara on March 29, 2005
    confirming remarks made on March 23, 2005 by Natik Aliyev, president of
    State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR).



    "We are trying to stay on a schedule whereby the first tanker will sail from
    the Turkish port of Ceyhan in September," Aliyev said.



    Explaining that there had been delays due to a harsh winter this year, he
    said: "We are doing everything possible to stay on schedule and not to be
    late. In Georgia all that remains is to cross the Kura River, but think that
    by April we will finis everything."



    He said oil will star to flow in the Azerbaijani section in May and from
    Georgia in July. "We will complete all mechanical work on the Turkish
    section" on June 30, Aliyev said.





    5. Ambassador: US supports Kazakhstan in BTC



    Source: US Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce, March 30, 2005



    The United States backs Kazakhstan's joining to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
    (BTC) main export oil pipeline, John Ordway, the US Ambassador to
    Kazakhstan, told a news conference in Almaty, Trend reports.



    According to John Ordway, Washington continues working on establishment of
    conditions for Kazakh oil delivery via the BTC. "Though the talks still
    continue, we do all possible to end talk successfully and to enable the
    Kazakh oil in this direction," John Ordway stressed.



    The diplomat said that Kazakhstan should have alterative routes for oil
    transportation.



    "We do not regard the issue from the aspect of rivalry. Kazakhstan does not
    possess enough capacity to transport its oil, which will be produced within
    the next decades," said Ordway.





    6. PIPES FOR SOUTH CAUCASUS PIPELINE TO REACH PLACE OF CONSIGNMENT



    Source: State Telegraphic Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azertag,
    March 30, 2005



    The last consignment of pipes for the South Caucasus pipeline has been
    unloaded in the Georgian seaport Poti. The pipes are being carried to the
    depots in Azerbaijan. Since the beginning of the pipeline's construction
    over 77 thousand pipes have been carried to the places of consignment.





    7. "LUKOIL" DRILLS SECOND EXPLORATORY WELL IN CASPIAN



    Source: State Telegraphic Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azertag,
    March 30, 2005



    The Lukoil's semi-submersible rig "Leader" is now engaged in drilling of the
    second 4500 meters deep exploratory well, located in the D-222 block in
    Yalama structure, the company's Baku office announced. The project costs US
    $60 thousand.





    8. Turkey: BTC best Alternative



    Source: The Messenger, March 31, 2005



    Turkey sounded the alarm Monday March 28, 2005 over the amount of oil
    transiting the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, warning of an environmental
    disaster waiting to happen. "The quantity of oil passing through the straits
    has increased by 50% in the past three years, "Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi
    Guler told a two-day conference here on energy cooperation in the Caspian
    and Black Sea regions.



    "If anything were to happen in the straits, it would pose a major problem
    for the region, notably for Istanbul, and would affect oil supply for
    months." "An environmental accident in Istanbul would be a disaster," he
    said.



    Hilmi Guler repeated Turkey's view that a new Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
    pipeline, which he said should be operational within months, would be the
    best way to transport Caucasian oil towards the West while cutting
    congestion in the two northwestern straits.





    9. MILLENNIUM ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT HIGHLIGHTS GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM
    DEGRADATION



    Source: IUCN, March 30, 2005



    The landmark Millennium Ecosystem Assessment released today reveals that
    approximately 60 percent of the ecosystem services that support life on
    Earth - such as fresh water, capture fisheries, air and water regulation,
    and the regulation of regional climate, natural hazards and pests - are
    being degraded or used unsustainably. Scientists warn that the harmful
    consequences of this degradation could grow significantly worse in the next
    50 years. At the same time, eight international conservation organisations
    release a joint statement in support of the MEA findings, and pledge their
    commitment to conservation action in support of human well-being.





    10. INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK SETS NEW ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
    POLICY



    Source: IUCN, March 31, 2005



    The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is currently developing a new
    Environment and Safeguard Compliance Policy. The World Conservation Union
    (IUCN) has participated in several of the regional consultations, including
    hosting the European consultation in Brussels. The Union welcomes the IDB's
    focus on proactive mainstreaming of environmental concerns in country
    programming processes and calls for strengthening the IDB's internal
    management capacity and incentives to ensure that the policy is vigorously
    implemented. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) is concerned, however, that
    the draft IDB policy is too restrictive in its definitions and too narrow in
    its approach to protecting conservation areas. Lastly, while the Union
    welcomes the IDB's proposals for dealing with instances of "significant
    direct" environmental impacts of policy based lending, the IDB should also
    establish mechanisms to deal with potential indirect, unanticipated, or
    unintentional impacts. In these cases, the Union recommends the use of
    participatory monitoring mechanisms linked to adaptive management processes.





    11. Genetically Modified Trees in Chile: A New Forest Conflict



    Source: Mapuexpress - Mapuche News http://www.mapuexpress.net, (Informativo
    Mapuche),



    El Hacha (The Axe) is a song written by Patricio Manns and performed by Inti
    Illimani on their release Arriesgaré la piel; its final lines refer to
    deforestation: "The forest comes before Man, but desert follows him."
    Without a doubt, deforestation has seriously affected the balance of forest
    ecosystems worldwide, making understandable the fear that paralyzes those
    who are aware of this issue; fear that is expressed in different ways, such
    as in this song. A second phenomenon negatively affecting the survival of
    forests is the creation of extensive single-crop forest plantations, and in
    particular, current concerns about new plantations of genetically modified
    trees.



    To understand the negative effects of extensive single specie tree farming,
    we must take into account that countries in the southern hemisphere in
    general and southern Chile in particular suffer from a destructive process
    that is advancing from the North. Over time, forests have been greatly
    impacted by the incremental spread of agriculture and livestock, cutting for
    firewood, and the felling and replacement of native forest with pine and
    eucalyptus plantations, which have led to topsoil degradation and acacia and
    blackberry invasions. As a result, animal habitat has been lost and the
    countryside has been altered. Social problems have arisen as well, including
    the forced migration of people who find themselves surrounded by huge
    plantations of single-crop introduced tree species and the transformation of
    the process of the restitution to Mapuche communities of traditional lands
    into a matter for the courts.



    The first plantations of Pinus Radiata (Monterey Pine) were established in
    Chile in 1920. From that date on the forward march of this single-crop
    cultivation has gone unhindered and in recent decades, the result has been
    environmental change and degradation. Among the many changes are:
    environmental homogeneity, evident in the vast and monotonous landscape
    vistas of unchanging color and architecture; biodiversity reduction and
    changes in the mechanisms that regulate its component parts; increasing
    vulnerability from pest invasions and the indiscriminate application of
    pesticides to control them; and the use of prime agricultural land for
    cultivating tree plantations, resulting in the underutilization of this
    important natural resource.



    Genetic engineering techniques have been used to achieve optimum production
    results in both agriculture and forest cultivation, including the genetic
    manipulation of commercially important plants. These issues have gone
    largely unreported to the public. People might know a little bit about
    genetically modified foods, but the development of Genetically Modified
    Organisms (GMOs) in the forestry industry is far less well known.



    The first genetically modified (GM) trees were planted in Belgium in 1988.
    In Chile, projects have been in development since the mid-1990s exploring
    the use of biotechnology in trees for industrial and commercial ends, which
    focus primarily on exotic species (pine and eucalyptus), with the goal of
    improving productivity. These projects have public sector support from such
    institutions as INFOR - Forestry Institute, (part of the Ministry of
    Agriculture), Fundación Chile (Chile Foundation), and the Universities of
    Concepción, Austral and Frontera, as well from the private sector -Bioforest
    (controlled by Bosques Arauco). Several million dollars have been paid out
    from the national treasury.



    The following are some of the risks involved with planting these trees:



    a) Long-term unforeseen changes in the altered or "guest" genome.

    b) Genetic contamination when plantations or test stands of transgenic trees
    are planted near their native forest relatives. The probability for genetic
    contamination is high.

    c) Changes in productivity and soil degradation (trees modified for rapid
    growth are harvested in less time and use the soil more intensively, thus
    there is greater demand for water and fewer opportunities for the nutrients
    to recycle).

    d) Possible effects on human health include resistance to antibiotics and
    increased allergies.



    In 2000, the New Zealand horticultural institute Hort Research won a
    contract from the Chile Foundation (a governmental body) to provide
    technical assistance in exchange for financing the development of a
    transgenic Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine), one resistant to the moth that
    attacks its buds. The goal is to "optimize the use of this natural resource
    to increase its productive capacity."



    The Chilean government takes a positive view of these practices and
    partnerships. In its presidential announcement, made in March 2004 at the
    inauguration of the first Global Biotechnology Forum, the spread of these
    new trends nationwide was referred to, opening the door for the creation of
    a Biotechnology Center in Chile.



    According to an article by Dr. María Isabel Manzur published in October 2000
    , the planting of genetically modified trees in Chile is in its initial phas
    es, but some projects working with transgenic pine and eucalyptus are
    already underway:



    1. Bioforest, subsidiary of Forestal Arauco, located in the VIII
    Region. Its research program is centered on improving pine and eucalyptus
    through cloning techniques. The company also works in biological pest
    control.

    2. Genfor, S.A., a partnership between the Chile Foundation,
    Sylvagen of Canada and Interlink of the United States, created in 1999 with
    the support of CORFO (Ministry of Manufacturing Development). It utilizes
    technology for improving cloning (somatic embryogenesis) and the creation of
    genetically modified Pinus radiata, soon to be planted in test fields.

    3. INIA IX Región (Institute of Farming and Animal Husbandry
    Research), together with the Universities of Chile and Católica, CINVESTAV
    Irapuato Labs of Mexico, Department of the Ministry of Agriculture (SEREMI)
    of Chile's IX Region, Agrícola Mar Rojo, the Afodegama Foundation and Indes
    Salus, are collaborating on a seed transgenesis development project to
    enhance resistance to the apple tree scab.

    4. Royal Dutch/Shell in Chile and Uruguay: Production of a GM
    eucalyptus tree with a different type of lignin, making its removal easier
    for the pulp and paper industry.



    One incentive for establishing tree plantations in general and transgenic
    trees in particular is the market for "carbon credits," which are part of
    the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Production Mechanisms (CPMs) that were recently
    accepted at the United Nation's 10th Framework Convention on Climate Change,
    held last December in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Chile is not averse to the
    idea of carbon credits, according to INFOR's Jorge Urrutia, who stated that
    CPMs could turn into a very good opportunity for the forestry sector.



    It is important to recognize that Chile could become one of the countries
    with the greatest number of genetically modified commercial tree plantations
    without the legal and environmental safeguards to control them; (currently,
    the release of transgenic crops are not subject to environmental impact
    studies). One of 4 demands sought by the Foundation for Sustainable
    Societies (Fundación Sociedades Sustentables) - that the planting of GM
    trees should be subject to Law 19.300, which requires an environmental
    impact study - stems from this issue. The other demands seek a moratorium on
    GM plantations, the development of a national policy for genetically
    modified trees, and an assessment of risks to human and environmental
    health. I see no option but to join these demands.



    We must act first, understanding that the reasons used to justified GM
    plantations are lies; that genetically modified trees will not reduce
    pressure on the remaining native forest, roll back climate change, solve the
    problem of pollution from the pulp and paper industry, or reduce the use of
    pesticides.



    In conclusion, 2 facts about the paper industry underscore the issue of tree
    plantations in general and genetically modified trees in particular:



    1. International pulp and paper industry earnings are basically
    guaranteed by the resources handed to them in the form of subsidies by
    southern hemisphere nation governments. Furthermore, these countries run the
    risk of dependence on a raw material subject to sharp price swings, with a
    high probability of lower prices in the short term, an argument against the
    tremendous increase, day by day, of these plantations.

    2. The majority of all the paper produced worldwide is consumed by
    developed countries, with 40% of the total destined for packaging, and that
    doesn't even take into account that most of the paper destined for writing
    and printing is used for marketing and publicity.



    These facts raise the following questions: Are we prepared to pay the costs
    of these export models? Is it worth suffering the social and environmental
    impacts caused by plantations to obtain these products? Are we truly
    informed about the amount of national resources being used to finance the
    research and establishment of genetically modified trees?



    Stop Genetically Engineered Trees Campaign



    A project of Global Justice Ecology Project

    P.O. Box 412

    Hinesburg, VT 05461 U.S.

    +1.802.482.2689 ph/fax

    <[email protected]>

    mailto:[email protected]

    http://www.globaljusticeecology.org



    The Stop Genetically Engineered Trees Campaign includes the Sierra Club,
    Rainforest Action Network, Dogwood Alliance, Polaris Institute, Global
    Justice Ecology Project, WildLaw, Southern Forests Network, Institute for
    Social Ecology Biotechnology Project, ForestEthics, Klamath-Siskiyou
    Wildlands Center, Forest Stewards Guild, Northwest Resistance Against
    Genetic Engineering and GE Free Maine.





    12. the second call for proposals under the CEPF regional programme



    Dear Colleagues,



    As you are aware, from June 2004 the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
    (CEPF) launched its Regional Programme in the Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot.
    This Programme is intended for the following countries of the Hotspot -
    Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Turkey. The main aim of the
    Programme is conservation of unique biodiversity in the Caucasus region. The
    programme will be continued over four years (June, 2004 - June, 2008).



    In the frame of a preliminary stage of the CEPF Programme the document -
    ``Ecosystem Profile for Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot`` has been elaborated.
    This is the key document, which defines priority species, sites and
    corridors in terms of biodiversity conservation in the Caucasus Hotspot.
    This document determines strategic directions and investment priorities for
    biodiversity conservation in the Caucasus Hotspot as well. Exactly these
    mentioned priorities will be taken into consideration during review and
    selection of submitted proposals. The document - ``Ecosystem Profile for
    Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot`` and a relevant application form are
    available in English and Russian languages on CEPF`s web-site at
    http://www.cepf.net/xp/cepf/where_we_work/caucasus/caucasus_info.xml



    In order to ensure successful implementation of the CEPF Programme in the
    Caucasus Hotspot, CEPF established a regional coordination mechanism. The
    coordination team composes of regional and national coordinators. Regional
    Coordinator of the Programme is Nugzar Zazanashvili (e-mail:
    [email protected]) - Conservation Director of WWF Caucasus
    Programme Office, National Coordinator for Georgia is Maka Bitsadze (e-mail:
    [email protected], tel: 33 01 54 /55).



    This notification is to announce the second call for proposals under the
    CEPF regional programme. Deadline for submission of project proposals is 31
    May, 2005.



    Project proposals should be submitted to CEPF National Coordinator in your
    country. Also, for further detailed information on the CEPF Caucasus Hotspot
    programme you can apply to CEPF national coordinator.



    WWF Caucasus Programme Office

    11, Alexidze street,

    Tbilisi, 0171, Georgia

    Tel: (995 32) 33 01 54 / 55

    Fax: (995 32) 33 01 90

    e-mail: [email protected]





    13. EIA Reports



    Source: "Sakartvelos Respublica" ("Republic of Georgia"), March 11, 2005


    In accordance with the Georgian legislation, "Karieri" Ltd. submitted EIA
    report to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to obtain an environmental
    permit for the activity of second category - Inert Materials Processing
    Enterprise in Khobi Region, Village Nojixevi.



    In accordance with the Georgian legislation, "Ozurgeti Tskalkanali" Ltd.
    submitted EIA report to the Ministry of Environment of Georgia to obtain an
    environmental permit for the activity of second category - Water Pipeline on
    the base of River Bzhuzhi.





    EIA reports are available at the Department of Environmental Permits and
    State Ecological Expertise (15 A Tamarashvili Str., Tel: 39 91 81).
    Interested stakeholders can analyze the document and present their comments
    and considerations until May 24, 2005.



    Public hearing will be held on May 24, 2005 at 12:00, at the conference hall
    of the Ministry of Environment (68 A, Kostava Str., Tbilisi, VI Floor).



    *******************************************
    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: www.cenn.org
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