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CENN Daily Digest - November 3, 2004

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  • CENN Daily Digest - November 3, 2004

    CENN - NOVEMBER 3, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
    Table of Contents:
    1. Lukoil Probes Azeri Caspian
    2. World Bank Official Praises Economic Reforms in Armenia
    3. Yerevan Municipality Promises to Ease Commuters' Problems
    4. Armenian Power Grids `No Longer Loss-Making'
    5. Armenian Chemical Giant Pronounced `Dead'
    6. Armenia, World Bank Cooperating Rather Effectively
    7. RA Trade-Industrial Chamber Becomes A Full Member of European Trade
    Chamber
    8. Project Discovery! Draws Supporters to Gala Event Highlighting its
    Archeological Work in Armenia
    9. Armenian Industrial Production Up
    10. Second Social Services Complex Opens in Armenia
    11. Electricity Generation in Armenia Increased by 9.7% in Jan-Sept of
    2004
    12. UNESCO Holds Seminar Training on Distance Education
    13. Representative of Azerbaijan Participated in INT'L Conference on
    Adult Education
    14. Over 3,200 Delegates Signed Up for the Congress
    15. 80 State Members Strong! Iran Becomes an IUCN Member
    16. Whose Forest is it Anyway?



    1. LUKOIL PROBES AZERI CASPIAN

    Source: CBN, Number 3,2 004

    Russia's second largest oil company, Lukoil, started exploration
    drilling along the Azeri section of the Caspian Sea, government
    officials said last week. "Lukoil has commenced the drilling of the
    first exploration well on the offshore D222 bloc," Vice President of the
    State Oil Company (SOCAR) Khoshbakht Yusifzadeh told journalists last
    Tuesday


    2. WORLD BANK OFFICIAL PRAISES ECONOMIC REFORMS IN ARMENIA

    Source: Arminfo, October 29, 2004

    Armenia is one of the best users of World Bank loans in the world, which
    are being allocated on the International Development Association (IDA)
    conditions, the regional director of the World Bank, Donna
    Dowsett-Coirolo, said at a press conference in Yerevan today.

    She said that a group of World Bank experts had recently come to this
    conclusion, evaluating the influence of the bank's credit programmes on
    the country's economy in the last 10 years. She added that economic
    reforms in Armenia are proceeding better than in neighboring Georgia and
    Azerbaijan, though high economic growth is recorded in all the South
    Caucasus countries this year.

    The regional director noted that the economic situation in Georgia would
    improve after the tough measures to fight corruption carried out by
    President Mikheil Saakashvili, and after the construction of the
    Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipelines and Baku-Erzurum gas pipeline in
    Azerbaijan. At the same time, she believes that Armenia should also take
    tough measures to fight corruption like Georgia, though the situation is
    much better here.

    Donna Dowsett-Coirolo noted that in the current year six credit
    programmes worth 85m dollars had been submitted for approval to the
    board of directors, which is the proof of active cooperation between the
    World Bank and Armenia. Those are loans for the social, health and
    education spheres, pension reforms, reforms in the state sector and
    irrigation. The World Bank's participation in the Armenian government's
    programme to alleviate poverty, which is worth 20m dollars, will be
    considered by the board of directors in November. Apart from this, a new
    credit programme to the tune of about 20m dollars for agriculture and
    another credit programme, worth the same amount, to restore Yerevan's
    water supply system are being prepared. Both programmes are planned to
    be submitted for approval to the World Bank board of directors next
    spring.

    Commenting on the problem of repaying Armenia's foreign debt, a bigger
    portion of which are World Bank loans, the regional director said that
    the country could guarantee its repayment, taking into consideration the
    economic growth and existing potential to attract domestic and foreign
    investment. Anyway, the issue of repaying Armenia's foreign debt does
    not cause concern compared to the situation in other countries, she
    said.

    To recap, 36 programmes of the World Bank worth a total of 820.8m
    dollars have been implemented in Armenia since 1992.


    3. YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY PROMISES TO EASE COMMUTERS' PROBLEMS

    Source: ArmenPress, November 1, 2004

    A senior official of the Yerevan municipality reiterated today previous
    promises to bring some 130 passenger buses from Ukraine and Belarus by
    the end of the year to ease commuters' problems, who often have to wait
    for tens of minutes to squeeze into one of mini-buses that can carry a
    dozen people only.

    Tigran Nazarian, the head of the transport department of the
    municipality said 3,000 mini-buses operate in the capital, but they are
    not enough to transport passengers, especially in rush hours.

    Last year the municipality brought some 30 buses, mainly from France.
    Previous state-run bus companies were privatized in 1997 and now there
    is only one such company in Yerevan. Mr. Nazarian said companies refuse
    to bring buses on grounds that they do not bring profits, as their fares
    are 70 drams against 100 drams charged by mini-buses. He said bus fares
    might be revised and set at 100 drams.

    Tigran Nazarian said also buses will be brought up to 2007 and by that
    time Yerevan municipality is expected to run 1000 buses. He said some 20
    buses and trolley buses are coming soon from French Lyon.


    4. ARMENIAN POWER GRIDS `NO LONGER LOSS-MAKING'

    By Atom Markarian

    Armenia's power distribution network, once a huge drain on state
    finances, has ceased to incur losses and operates at a profit as a
    result of its privatization two years ago, its Russian chief executive
    declared on Monday.

    Yevgeny Gladunchik said a British-based company that took over the
    Armenian Electricity Network (AEN) has managed to cut by half the loss
    of electricity during its transmission to consumers.

    The losses, which used to be as high as 40 percent, cost the Armenian
    government an estimated $50 million each year. At least half of them are
    believed to have resulted from widespread theft among various-level
    employees of the state-owned network.

    Ending the financial hemorrhage was the main stated rationale for the
    power grids' $40 million sale to Midland Resources Holding, a little
    known company registered in a British offshore zone and reportedly
    linked to a government-connected Armenian businessman. Midland
    Resources, which specializes in trade of ferrous metals, was picked as
    the new AEN owner despite its lack of energy-related experience. The
    World Bank and other Western donors that had long been pushing for the
    privatization expressed at the time serious misgivings about its ability
    to get the loss-making company into shape.

    According to Gladunchik, Midland Resources has proved skeptics wrong by
    moving the AEN into profit. However, he refused to disclose the amount
    of the earnings and was very reluctant to specify how much his company
    has invested in the network, arguing that it assumed no concrete
    investment commitments as part of the takeover deal.

    `Tell me please why I must reveal that sum. I don't quite understand why
    it bothers you,' he told journalists before producing a figure: $10
    million.

    The actual amount of the Midland investments is at the heart of an
    unfolding dispute between AEN and the government's Commission Regulating
    Public Services that has the exclusive authority to set utility fees in
    Armenia. The regulatory body is now considering lowering AEN's profit
    margin from 8 drams (1.5 U.S. cents) to 5 drams per kilowatt of power,
    suspecting the company of inflating its investment figures. Its members
    also argue that the company has made $6 million in extra profit as a
    result of an approximately 15 percent strengthening of the national
    currency, the dram, against the U.S. dollar over the past year.

    Gladunchik warned the commission against taking the punitive measure.
    `We will close shop if that happens,' he said. He also argued that his
    company has not sought and will not seek an increase in electricity
    prices `in the near future.'


    5. ARMENIAN CHEMICAL GIANT PRONOUNCED `DEAD'

    By Atom Markarian

    Armenia's largest chemical plant struggling to remain afloat since the
    Soviet break-up will not after all be brought back to life despite rosy
    promises of its most recent owner, it was claimed on Monday.

    Nairit, the Yerevan-biased synthetic rubber manufacturer, was purchased
    last April by a Russian industrial group, Volgoburmash, that pledged to
    restore its Soviet-era production levels with large-scale capital
    investments. But according to the Russian head of Armenia's sole power
    utility which is owed 800 million drams ($1.6 million) by Nairit,
    Volgoburmash has failed to make good on its promises.

    `There is no owner at Nairit anymore,' Yevgeny Gladunchik of the
    Armenian Electricity Network (AEN) told a news conference. `The plant
    hasn't operated since August. All the promises of the previous owner
    have turned out to be a bluff.'

    `We have done everything to make it work. Unfortunately, all we can say
    now is that the plant is dead,' Gladunchik said. He added that the AEN
    management decided earlier in the day to seek bankruptcy proceedings
    against the former flagship of Soviet Armenia's chemical industry.

    There was no immediate confirmation of the news from Armenia's Ministry
    of Trade and Economic Development that had negotiated the deal with the
    Russian conglomerate. Nairit had previously been handed over to an
    Armenian private bank in payment for its $14 million debt to the latter.

    Volgoburmash is not the first foreign investor to have tried to breathe
    a new life into the factory that used to employ thousands of people.
    Ransat Group, a British-registered firm, signed a management contract
    signed with the Armenian government in early 2002, pledging to invest
    $25 million within the next five years. However, the deal collapsed
    several months later, with each other side accusing the other of failing
    to honor its contractual obligations. Ransat eventually decided to
    surrender control of Nairit.


    6. ARMENIA, WORLD BANK COOPERATING RATHER EFFECTIVELY

    Source: RIA Novosti's, October 30, 2004

    Cooperation between Armenia and the World Bank is developing rather
    effectively, President Robert Kocharyan of Armenia said at a conference
    involving Ms. Donna M. Dawsett-Coirolo, World Bank regional director for
    South Caucasus, Mr. Hussein Razawi, World Bank director for the
    infrastructure and energy sector, and Mr. Roger Robinson, director of
    the World Bank's Yerevan office.

    Mr. Kocharyan pointed out the World Bank's important role in
    facilitating the implementation of Armenian reforms, presidential
    press-service officials noted.

    Robert Kocharyan voiced hope to the effect that this influential
    international financial organization will continue to render all-out
    assistance to Armenia in the future, as well.

    Those taking part in the conference noted the importance of streamlining
    Armenia's tax and customs regulation legislation.

    Fuel and energy cooperation prospects were discussed, as well.

    The World Bank has implemented 36 programs worth nearly $821 million on
    Armenian territory.

    Armenia receives 40-year World Bank loans in accordance with IDA
    (International Development Association) terms; such loans, which are
    allocated to the world's poorest countries, stipulate 0.75% annual
    interest, as well as an easy-term ten-year period.

    In June 2004 the World Bank's board of executive directors endorsed a
    new Armenian-aid strategy for the 2005-2008 period. This strategy calls
    for setting aside loans to the tune of $220 million.

    The new strategy lists the following priorities:
    o helping the Armenian Government in its efforts to improve the business
    climate and to create more jobs;
    o facilitating better and more effective management;
    o streamlining the public-health system, the education system, as well
    as the basic infrastructure.

    The previous Armenian-aid strategy for the 2002-2004 period had
    stipulated loans worth about $190 million. Among other things, the World
    Bank had financed construction of 120 km of local roads within the
    framework of that strategy. The civil service reform was launched in
    line with the new law based on an institutional administration survey.
    More than 130 community projects were implemented, thus improving the
    life of 340,000 rural dwellers. 80 rural hospitals were constructed and
    118 physicians retrained as family doctors. Over 200 km of irrigation
    canals were reconstructed, thereby enhancing the productivity of nearly
    80,000 hectares of farmlands. 112 new textbooks were published and
    handed out to students all over Armenia; add to this 50 teaching aids.


    7. RA TRADE-INDUSTRIAL CHAMBER BECOMES A FULL MEMBER OF EUROPEAN TRADE
    CHAMBER

    Source: ARKA, November 1, 2004

    Trade-Industrial Chamber (TIC) became a full member of European Trade
    Chamber (ETC). According to RA (TIC) Press-Service Department, the
    decision on it was made at the ETC congress in Vienna on Saturday,
    October 30. According to the source, cooperation of EU countries with
    TIC gives Armenia the chance to promote Armenian goods to the European
    market through trade-industrial chambers.

    Also, the TIC of Georgia became the full members of ETC, and TIC of
    Azerbaijan got the status of an associate member. European Trade
    Chamber is an officially registered organization of trade chambers of
    European states. As of today, ETC includes TICs of all countries of EU,
    and only three of the CIS, including Russia and Belarus.


    8. PROJECT DISCOVERY! DRAWS SUPPORTERS TO GALA EVENT HIGHLIGHTING ITS
    ARCHEOLOGICAL WORK IN ARMENIA

    The Armenian Weekly On-Line: AWOL
    80 Bigelow Avenue
    Watertown MA 02472 USA
    (617) 926-3974
    [email protected]
    http://www.armenianweekly.com

    DETROIT--On October 2, Detroit philanthropists Tom and Debbie Krikorian
    graciously hosted a strolling supper at their magnificent estate on Pine
    Lake to benefit Project Discovery!, a newly established charitable
    organization dedicated to the discovery and preservation of the
    archaeological and cultural legacy of Armenia. In total, 180 people
    attended the party, including many non-Armenians.

    The event co-chairs were Jim and Rosemary Bannon and Michael and Emma
    Minasian. Mrs. Bannon, of Chaldaen descent, was drawn to the cause after
    participating in the first Archaeology Odyssey tour to Armenia sponsored
    by Project Discovery! last May. Mrs. Bannon, who has traveled to almost
    every archaeologically significant region in the world, was so
    fascinated with Armenia's long and continuous history and so touched by
    the dedication and warmth of the archaeologists who guided the group
    that she enthusiastically offered to co-chair the event.

    The evening opened with a rousing trombone fanfare of music by Arno
    Babajanian, performed by Detroit Symphony Orchestra trombonist Randall
    Hawes, accompanied by pianist Kathryn Goodson. Armenian music, from
    classical to songs of the troubadours, continued throughout the evening
    where guests were treated to a sumptuous meal with wine, followed by a
    delicious array of tantalizing desserts.

    Following dinner, Project Discovery! founder and president Teryl
    Minasian Asher thanked the Krikorians for their generosity in opening
    their beautiful home for the event, the evening's co-chairs for their
    tireless efforts in making the event a success, and the assembled guests
    for their generous support. She reported with great excitement that the
    proceeds from the evening totaled $22,000.

    When one of the guests triumphantly stated that this event put Project
    Discovery! on the map, Asher pointed out that Project Discovery! is a
    global organization, with outreach committees in France, South America,
    and the United Kingdom. Moreover, its Academic Advisory Board comprises
    distinguished scholars from prestigious universities and research
    institutions on three continents.

    Asher then introduced University of Chicago professor Adam T. Smith, a
    member of the organization's Academic Advisory Board. Professor Smith
    was no stranger to many of those in attendance, as he had given a
    lecture and slide presentation in Detroit on archaeology in Armenia last
    April at the Hagopian Gallery of Rugs, where over 225 people attended.
    Professor Smith, who has conducted excavations in Armenia for the past
    13 summers, spoke about the importance of the archaeological research
    done in Armenia from a global perspective, and expressed his admiration
    for the dedication of Armenian archaeologists in the face of seemingly
    insurmountable financial obstacles.

    He thanked those in attendance and explained how their contributions
    would be used to support the efforts of the archaeologists of Armenia.
    Guests were touched by Professor Smith's comments and many expressed
    their delight in being in the vanguard of this cause.

    Other Academic Advisory Board members in attendance were University of
    Michigan Armenian Studies Program director Kevork B. Bardakjian and PhD
    candidate Lori Khatchadourian. Also present were University of Michigan
    professors Susan E. Alcock and John Cherry.

    The overall ambiance of the evening was one of elegance and excitement.
    Guests were excited to not only see many of their old friends, but to
    meet new people who shared in their enthusiasm and their commitment to
    the cause.

    Before the close of the evening, plans for the next event featuring
    Professor Smith were announced. On November 18, he will present a
    lecture titled "The Gift of Semiramis--Complex Societies in the Armenian
    Highlands Viewed from one Trench at Gegharot Fortress" at Oscar Isberian
    Rugs in Evanston, IL.

    During the 15th century BC, societies living in the mountains and plains
    of what is today Armenia underwent a convulsive transformation. Peoples
    that for centuries had lived in socially stratified, predominantly
    mobile, pastoral communities rather suddenly found themselves members of
    complex, settled territorial polities complete with rigid social
    hierarchies and developed political institutions cloistered within
    stone-walled fortresses.

    Traditional archaeological theories describe the emergence of complexity
    in the region as a result of Assyrian military incursions - a gift of
    Semiramis. Yet, complex societies emerged in the Armenian Highlands long
    before the Assyrians turned their gaze to the north. And they emerged
    with astonishing rapidity following more than half a millennia of mobile
    life ways centered on the practices of stock breeding.

    Excavations from 2000-2003 at the fortress of Gegharot, located in the
    Tsaghkahovit Plain of central Armenia, have provided dramatic new clues
    about the beginnings of social complexity in the region.

    Through a "biography" of a single trench at Gegharot fortress, Professor
    Smith will not only discuss the most recent results of his research, but
    will also lead the audience through the process of archaeological
    interpretation that coaxes dramatic pictures of ancient life from
    artifacts.

    For more information about Project Discovery! visit
    www.projectdiscovery.net, call (248) 593-6565, or (866) 393-6565 toll
    free outside of Michigan, or email projectdiscovery @comcast.net.


    9. ARMENIAN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION UP

    Source: RosBusinessConsulting Database, November 2, 2004

    Armenian industrial production gained 1.6 percent to $692.8m in January
    to September 2004 in comparison to the same period in 2003. Industrial
    products totaling $683.8m were sold in the reported period including
    $63.3m in the CIS and $185.8m in other countries. According to the
    country's National Statistics Service, the volume of industrial
    production decreased by 1.1 percent in September this year.

    The chemical industry advanced considerably in January to September
    2004, namely by 175.5 percent against January to September 2003.
    Armenian energy companies produced 4.4787bn kWh in the first nine months
    of this year, which was a 9-percent increase against the corresponding
    period in 2003. A noticeable decline was reported in jewelry production
    (84.2 percent).


    10. SECOND SOCIAL SERVICES COMPLEX OPENS IN ARMENIA

    Source: Noyan Tapan, November, 2004

    A new social service center opened in the Armenian city of Masis on
    November 2, 2004 to launch an experimental USAID program. The center,
    "One Stop Social Services," will house several local NGOs including, the
    Territorial Agency of Social Services, Territorial Center of Employment,
    Territorial Office of State Fund of Social Insurance, and the Commission
    of Medical-Social Expert Examination. Each NGO will take advantage of a
    networked computer system that will allow them to access larger
    databases. The technologically advanced system will centralize
    information and eliminate the need for multiple document submissions by
    those applying for services.

    Minister of Labor and Social Issues Aghvan Vardanian, announced that the
    specific database technology is being studied by Romanian, Albanian, and
    Georgian specialists, who are interested in introducing similar systems
    in their respective countries.

    At the opening of the center, US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans
    expressed hope that the new center would help alleviate the social and
    economic problems residents of Masis and its neighboring towns currently
    face.

    The town of Masis is currently home to 4,000 needy families, 1,500
    unemployed, and 3,000 pensioners and disabled persons. "One Stop Social
    Services" is the second center of its kind in the republic. The first
    was established in the city of Vanadzor.


    11. ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN ARMENIA INCREASED BY 9.7% IN JAN-SEPT OF
    2004

    Source: Arminfo, November 2, 2004

    According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, 4,478.7-mln
    kW/h of electricity was generated in Armenia in late September 2004,
    increasing by 9.7% during the first nine months of the current year, and
    in September 2004 as against Aug 2004 it decreased by 8.6%. At the same
    time, electricity, produced by Armenian Nuclear Power plant increased by
    26.3%, Hydro power plants - by 6.9% in Jan-Sept 2004, and by thermal
    power plant it decreased by 4.5%.

    Thus, in the period under review the ANPP has generated 1,663.8 mln kW/h
    of electricity, which makes 37.1% of the total volume of electricity
    generation in the republic, the Thermal power Station produced 1,193.9
    mln kW/h or 26.7%, Hydro power stations - 1,621.0 mln kW/h or 36.2%.

    290,400 Gigacalories of thermal energy was produced in the republic in
    Jan-Sept, which makes up 98.4% of the showing of the same period of last
    year.


    12. UNESCO HOLDS SEMINAR TRAINING ON DISTANCE EDUCATION

    Source: State Telegraphic Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azertag,
    November 2, 2004

    A three-day training seminar "Distance Education: Organization, Teacher
    Training, Technologies" organized by the UNESCO Institute for
    Information Technologies in Education commenced in Moscow. The seminar
    is based on the IITE UNESCO recent methodological, training and research
    materials on organizational, pedagogic and technological aspects of ICT
    application in distance education. The event is partly funded by UNESCO
    Moscow Office.

    Azerbaijan is represented at the seminar by First secretary of the
    Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO under the Ministry of Foreign
    Affairs of the country Shahin Mammadov and representatives of the
    Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan R. Mahmudzadeh and M. Babayev.


    13. REPRESENTATIVE OF AZERBAIJAN PARTICIPATED IN INT'L CONFERENCE ON
    ADULT EDUCATION

    Source: State Telegraphic Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azertag,
    November 2, 2004

    Chair of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) Standing Commission for Science
    and Education Shahlar Asgarov and National Coordinator for Azerbaijan of
    the Institute for International Cooperation of the Association of German
    Popular Universities Fuad Muradov participated in the international
    conference entitled `Adult Education in a United Europe - Abundance,
    Diversity, Experience held in Torun, Poland.

    Representatives of 40 European countries gathered here to identify the
    new intercultural dimension of adult education in the enlarged Europe,
    create a forum for European dialogue between adult education
    theoreticians and practitioners in order to ensure that adult education
    in Europe is not merely an academic field without practical orientation,
    and establish working groups to build on earlier.


    14. OVER 3,200 DELEGATES SIGNED UP FOR THE CONGRESS

    Source: IUCN, November 2, 2004

    With a little over two weeks left until the opening of the 3rd IUCN
    World Conservation Congress, more than 3,200 delegates have registered
    to attend the world's most important conservation event in 2004. The
    Congress will focus the world's attention on the plight of species and
    ecosystems and its impact on people's livelihoods by presenting
    state-of-the-art scientific data. It will furthermore seek ways to
    mobilize resources against the backdrop of shrinking government
    investment in conservation. Government ministers and officials,
    non-governmental organizations and the world's leading environmental
    experts will gather in Bangkok for the Congress, to be opened by Her
    Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand on 17 November. The Congress will
    include the three-day World Conservation Forum, with more than 350
    events assessing and debating the key issues of conservation, human
    rights, health and sustainable enterprises, followed by the five-day
    IUCN Members' Business Assembly, the world s largest democratic
    environmental forum, which will set the conservation agenda to the end
    of the decade.


    15. 80 STATE MEMBERS STRONG! IRAN BECOMES AN IUCN MEMBER

    Source: IUCN, November 1, 2004

    The Islamic Republic of Iran has joined IUCN - The World Conservation
    Union and becomes the 80th State member. Located on the Persian Gulf and
    Strait of Hormuz, Iran is endowed with diverse natural resources
    including petroleum, natural gas, and other minerals. "Iran's membership
    to IUCN cements a long-standing relationship in dealing with the
    environment and development challenges facing the country, the Asian
    continent and the world at large," says Dr Odeh Al Jayyousi, the IUCN
    Director for the WESCANA region. IUCN and the Islamic Republic of Iran
    have collaborated on, among other things, the development of a national
    programme addressing major conservation issues of importance to Iran. By
    joining IUCN, Iran strengthens the Union's resolve to work closely with
    governments, civil society and the private sector in the governance of
    the world's natural resources. IUCN has four more members in Iran.
    Recently an IUCN Regional Office was opened in Amman, Jordan in order to
    strengthen collaboration with conservation and development stakeholders
    in the region.


    16. WHOSE FOREST IS IT ANYWAY?

    Source: IUCN, October 29, 2004

    Who owns the world's forests and what ownership systems work best for
    forest conservation? The latest issue of arborvit?, the joint IUCN/WWF
    Forest Conservation Newsletter, explores forest ownership from different
    angles and from the experiences of numerous countries worldwide. The
    feature article by Forest Trends, an IUCN Member, shows that communities
    not only own and administer 22 percent of all forest land in developing
    countries, but that they also invest between US $1.3 billion and US $2.6
    billion in sustainable forest management. This is more than the
    investment made by their own governments or external donors, making them
    the largest investors in forests today. So is community ownership the
    way forward? Clearly, though there is a marked shift towards community
    management and ownership, the social, political and economic
    complexities surrounding forest ownership preclude a one-size-fits-all
    solution. Several articles in this issue highlight the problems faced in
    the implementation of decentralization and privatization measures and
    stress the need for governments to continue playing a regulatory role
    and providing incentives for sustainable forest management.


    --
    *******************************************
    CENN INFO
    Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

    Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
    Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
    E-mail: [email protected]
    URL: www.cenn.org
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