Ecological NGOs warn of BTC threat

Ecological NGOs have cautioned of possible extinction of Azerbaijan’s ecological and cultural monuments because of the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export pipeline.

An appeal of a group of ecology-related non-governmental organizations says that Azeri and Georgian NGOs, as well as the public have many times suggested during discussions on the projecting and construction of the pipeline that it bypass all ecological, historic and architectural preserves and natural monuments. But, bp has decided to lay the pipe through the Gobustan State Preserve, one of Azerbaijan’s and the world’s most famous and ancient archaeological and historical monuments.

“bp ignores both Azeri legislation and internationally accepted norms banning any activities in state preserves”, the statement reads.

Earlier, BTC EIA Manager Anna Hesling said in the Caspian Oil & Gas-2002 in Baku, commenting on violation of the Azerbaijan Constitution if the pipeline goes through the preserve, that relevant state bodies are aware of the route and haven’t expressed their objections. This is the optimum from seismic viewpoint, she noted.

On the other hand, Project Director Helton has said it is impossible to build a 1760 kilometer long