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GOV’T ALLOTS POST-QUAKE AID
President Aliyev has issued a decree to allocate 25 billion manats in emergency relief following last week’s earthquake in Baku, Sumgayit and other provinces of Azerbaijan.
According to the decree, the means will be provided by SOCAR to the state commission on emergencies, which has been instructed to ascertain an exact amount necessary for a complete restoration of damaged buildings.
NO MAJOR QUAKES ANTICIPATED
In the next 30-40 days, there will not be a powerful earthquake in Azerbaijan. After two major tremors on November 25, several hundred weaker ones have been registered to date, which illustrates that the magnitude in the epicenter has gradually subsided, director of the republican center of seismological service under the Academy of Sciences Arif Hasanov said Friday.
According to him, most of the buildings in Baku can withstand tremors measuring 8-9 points, especially the "Stalin-design" apartment blocks.
During the earthquake, it is not even necessary to leave such blocks and is enough to stand somewhere in a doorway.
The Khruschev-style buildings, designed for 20-30 years when built, do pose a danger, he said.
Mr. Hasanov said it would be good to set up a national agency for emergencies equipped to the latest standards.
He told journalists that new sophisticated seismological devices would soon be purchased.
According to latest reports, the earthquake death toll currently stands at 31, while 30 buildings, historical and architectural monuments, museums and theaters have been damaged.
According to the Ministry of Culture, among the damaged structures are the German Church (chamber of organ music), the Shirvanshah Palace, the Theater of Opera and Ballet, the Taza Pir mosque, the Blue Mosque, the Palace of Marriages, etc.
DAGESTANI QUAKE NOT RELATED TO CASPIAN
Following the earthquake in Dagestan on December 2, it has been rumored that it was the repercussion of the November 25 earthquake in the Caspian. Rumor-mongers say further that another powerful quake is anticipated in Baku.
The Center of Seismological Service and other agencies dealing with the problem have termed such allegations as absolutely groundless. The seismological situation in Azerbaijan is normal and there is no reason to worry. Weak and very weak tremors are being registered, which is viewed as natural after the powerful earthquake of November 25.
The working group of the state commission has inspected over 4,000 buildings and re-located some 2,500 people. Restoration operations in 15 damaged buildings started on December 1, while on Wednesday the commission will start studying 15 other sites.
A total of 606 people have applied for medial aid, 57 received severe and medium bodily injuries, while many are still on medication.
Rehab operations are expected to start shortly in Davachi, Siyazan, Khyzy and Khachmaz, where the earthquake has brought many buildings to an emergency condition.
At present, the working group is assessing the damage inflicted in Astara, Lankaran, Gusar and Ali-Bayramli.
Jointly with the group, specialists from the senior fire security service of the Interior Ministry and related organizations have evaluated the situation at oil refining enterprises and pipelines and found no irregularities.
FOREIGN MINISTERS ADOPT VIENNA DECLARATION
On November 28, the 8th meeting of the OSCE Council of Ministers completed its work with the adoption of the Vienna Declaration on South-East Europe.
OSCE chairperson-in-office Mrs. Ferrero-Waldner delivered a speech at the meeting, says a news release from the MFA.
Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan V. Guliyev held a meeting with Kazakhstani counterpart Y. Idrisov, as the parties gave a positive assessment to the current status of bilateral relations and focused on their further invigoration.
In a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister V. Oskanian, the two ministers exchanged views on the current status and prospects of a negotiated settlement to the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict.
Also touched upon was the issue of the upcoming visit to the region by co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Min. Guliyev also held a meeting with the special envoy of the US Secretary of State on Newly Independent States Mr. Sestanovich and US co-chair in the MG Carry Cavanaugh.
The parties spoke of US-Azeri cooperation and exchanged views on prospects of resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict.
Min. Guliyev has met with the OSCE chairperson-in-office Mrs. Ferrero-Waldner and thanked her for the effort taken toward resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict during Austria's presidency in the Organization.
After the visit, Min. Guliyev was interviewed by Romanian television (Romania will assumed presidency since 2001) and Austrian "Die Press" newspaper.
Regional director of UN population fund in Baku
A new regional director of the UN Population Fund Mr. Alain Musheridon is currently in Baku on a familiarization visit. On Monday, Mr. Mushiredon met with foreign minister Vilayat Guliyev and informed him of the meetings he had held in the capital, the ministry said Monday. Min. Guliyev briefed the visitor on the socio-political situation in the country, course of reforms, election returns, consequences of the Armenian aggression and the plight of Azeri refugees. V. Guliyev voiced a hope for further productive cooperation with the Fund.
REGIONAL COMMUNISTS TO MEET IN TBILISI
Azeri, Georgian, Armenian and Dagestani communists are expected to conduct a "Caucasus house" meeting in Tbilisi shortly, chairman of the Azerbaijan Communist Party Ramiz Ahmadov told Azernews Friday.
According to him, communists are expected to meet on the Red Bridge, which links the three Caucasus republics, and then to travel to Tbilisi. The purpose of the meeting is to strengthen solidarity among communists, restore the communist movement and contribute to the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict.
AZERI MINISTERS NOT IMPRESSED WITH IRANIAN GENERAL's STATEMENT
Touching upon the statement by the commander of Iranian Armed Forces concerning alleged stationing of Nato and Israeli troops in the Caspian under the pretext of oil exploration, Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev said the statement was not a serious one and has political coloring.
National Security Minister Namiq Abbasov also described the statement as groundless.
"There are no foreign armed forces in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian and Azerbaijan will never let this happen", he said.
CONFERENCE OF NEW AND RESTORED DEMOCRACIES STARTS IN BENIN
Benin will host a conference this December to promote greater understanding and know-how regarding democratic institutions and practices. The Fourth International Conference of the New and Restored Democracies will be held in Cotonou, Benin, December 4-6, 2000. Pursuant to a General Assembly mandate, the United Nations, through the Secretariat, the United Nations Development Program, UNESCO, and other agencies, is providing technical assistance to Benin to host the conference.
International support for the process of democratization has steadily gained over the last decade. Attendance has grown from only 13 participating countries at the first conference held in Manila in 1988 to about 80 at the last, held in Bucharest in 1997. In addition, other countries and non-governmental organizations have started their own initiatives, which resulted in the Warsaw "Community of Democracy" conference, held in June, 2000.
AZERBAIJAN ASSUMES PRESIDENCY IN PA BSEC
A regular meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PA BSEC) is underway in Yerevan, as participants are discussing the opportunities of expanding political, economic and cultural cooperation within BSEC. The Azerbaijan delegation is led by the first vice-speaker Arif Rahimzadeh.
Azerbaijan is expected to assume chairmanship in the Organization in 2001.
TRIAL OF SPECIAL TROOPS OFFICER LAUNCHED
The grave crimes court has started the trial of a Special Interior Troops officer who was involved in the 1995 March developments (coup attempt) Allahverdi Ganjaliyev. The defendant is charged with high treason, illegal possession of guns and premeditated murder. Investigation materials have proved the defendant's involvement in an armed assault on the Gazakh police department together with other Special Troops members in March, 1995.
A. Ganjaliyev, who had been wanted since 1995, was arrested in Saratov, Russia, in mid-1999.
ESTABLISHING LEGAL CO-OP WITH EGYPT
The Ministry of Justice has prepared a draft agreement on legal cooperation and forwarded it to the Egyptian party, Minister of Justice Fikrat Mammadov told Egyptian ambassador to Azerbaijan Mrs. Jihan Amin Muhammad Ali Tuesday.
According to him, Azerbaijan attaches a particular importance to legal cooperation with Egypt. The Minister recalled of his participation in the 9th UN congress dedicated to crime prevention in Cairo and meetings with Egyptian officials.
Mrs. Muhammad underscored the need for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Egypt, saying Egypt is carefully studying the document. The sooner the work on the draft is over and agreement signed, the better it will be for both parties, she added.
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© 1998-2003 Azernews. All Rights Reserved.
Issue No.49(179), 2000
CIS Minsk Summit HeldAzeri Army Capable Of Liberating GarabaghMoscow Values Friendship With BakuRomania To Mark UnificationFighting Caviar SmugglingNEWS DIGESTNATIONPARLIAMENT NEWSOPPOSITION NEWSNEWS IN BRIEFBUSINESSOIL & GAS NEWSARTS & CULTURE
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