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NEW FIZULI CLINIC - SYMBOL OF STRONG US-AZERBAIJAN RELATIONS

By Arslan Abbas Azernews Contributor

US Ambassador Ross Wilson visited Babi, Fizuli, on November 14, 2001, to congratulate the Babi community on their recently opened hospital complex, built in cooperation with CHF International (CHF) and International Medical Corps (IMC).

The construction of this complex was possible with the financial support of the United States Government. Funding for the CHF and IMC projects in Azerbaijan is provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Mercy Corps (MC) managed six-year Azerbaijan Humanitarian Assistance Program (AHAP). The AHAP is designed to increase community development efforts to integrate, resettle and provide economic opportunities, health care to IDPs and conflict affected population within Azerbaijan.

The US Government has actively supported humanitarian work in Azerbaijan since 1994, donating a total of USD $160 million to fund community development programs. This visit marks the second trip in four months by the US Ambassador to the liberated territories, a strong indication of America's commitment to continued humanitarian assistance in Azerbaijan.

Construction of the new complex was started and initially self-financed by the Babi community in February 2001, but work was stopped due to lack of funding. CHF's Social Investment Initiative (SII) program and IMC worked with the Babi community to finish the facility, which now includes: a 4-room hospital with surgery block; an ambulatory building; a laboratory building; a separate infectious diseases unit with toilet; a bath house; a laundry building; and accommodation for safe disposal of medical waste. CHF/SII funds also provided for an artesian well to supply the facility with clean water, and a generator to protect the surgery unit against power outages. IMC provided technical assistance in the design of the medical complex, extensive medical and management training for the staff, essential medicines, medical equipment and supplies. CHF's Community Employment and Economic Opportunities Program (CEEOP) and IMC helped the doctor's association with financial planning and cost recovery analysis.

The Babi hospital complex is the only fully operational medical facility of its kind within 25 kilometers of the frontline. The services offered will benefit the population of the entire Babi village - over 1,000 people - plus approximately 10,000 people from surrounding communities. The Babi doctor's association, contracted by Babi community members, will manage the clinic. Through projects such as the Babi hospital, CHF, IMC, MC and USAID hope to promote sustainable growth and the development of self-sufficient communities throughout Azerbaijan.

RECONSTRUCTION, RECOVERY PROGRAM UNDERWAY

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Azerbaijan is implementing the "Reconstruction and recovery" program to settle refugees from Fuzuli province in its Shukurbayli village. These displaced people are currently dwelling in Saatli, Sabirabad and Bilasuvar provinces.

The program envisages the construction of residential houses for 167 families and allocation of interest-free $1000 in loan. The funds are allotted to boost livestock breeding and small business.

ARMENIA's MEMBERSHIP IN WTO SUSPENDED

A meeting of the World Tourism Organization is due in Geneva, Switzerland on December 5-7, as all the three Caucasus nations but Armenia are expected to take part. The meeting will focus on "Tourism development: what de we expect?"

Armenia's membership in the organization was suspended for one year after the country failed to pay its membership duties.

The Azeri delegation to the meeting aims to brief the participants of the development of tourism, sights and historical monuments in Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Tourism said Friday.

BUDGET DEBATES SPARK ARGUMENTS

The Milli Mejlis continued discussing the draft 2002 state budget Thursday, as chairman of the permanent parliamentary commission on social policy Hadi Rajabov said that the draft estimates social expenses at AZM140 billion. He went on to term the bill socially unjust in spite of its allowance of AZM100,000 for each of the vulnerable.

MP, deputy chairman of the permanent commission on economic policy Ali Alirzayev said that the budget should be not socially, but economically oriented, serving the promotion of entrepreneurship. For this purpose, he suggested that VAT be minimized, property tax be calculated on an enterprise's capacity rather than its cost and entrepreneurs be loaned. All this, as he says, should be included in the budget projections.

The draft will be in focus in the parliament's next sessions.

CUT IN MEMBERSHIP DUTIES TO INT'L ORGANIZATIONS?

MP Eldar Ibrahimov told a parliament meeting Thursday that he had asked the government to provide comments on the cut in the volume of Azerbaijan's duties to international organizations in the draft 2002 state budget.

The draft sets the duties at AZM50 billion to AZM61.9 billion last year. Mr. Ibrahimli recalled that the failure to pay duties would lead to Azerbaijan's being stripped of its voice in international entities and eventually handicapping the adoption of decisions fitting the country's interests.