Artsakh  Newsletter

VOLUME 4, No. 1

BRIEFLY...

A renowned French film director of Armenian descent Henri Verneuil (born Achod Malakian) died January 11, 2002, in Paris at age 81.  President Arkady Ghoukasian sent a letter of condolences to the family and friends of Verneuil.  "Due to his compassionate character and his unique art, Henri Verneuil was loved in his homeland and in the Diaspora.  His art has a

distinguished place in world cinematography...  His film "Mayrig" (Mother) is very dear to every Armenian.  The loss of a great Armenian and a true artist is painful to all of us."  In 1996, Verneuil was awarded an honorary César, France's equivalent of the Oscar, for lifetime achievement in film. 

NKR Draft State Budget Announced

Stepanakert, January 16.  The National Assembly announced that according to the FY 2002 draft state budget, expenditures of the government will constitute 12.352 billion drams ($22.5 million).  Government revenues will make up 2.839 billion drams ($5.2 million) with a 9.513 billion-dram deficit ($17.3 million).  The deficit will be covered mainly by an intergovernmental credit issued by Armenia. 

Stepanakert, January 31.  The International Committee of the Red Cross announced that it opened three first-aid stations in the villages of Dolanlar, Khtsaberd and Hin Taghlar of Dizak (former Hadrut) province of

Nagorno Karabagh.  The stations were opened as a part of the ICRC's First Aid program, which is supported by the American Red Cross.  The ICRC reconstructed 43 medical facilities in Varanda (former Martuni) and Jraberd

(former Martakert) provinces in 1998.  By the spring of 2002, 20 medical centers will be rebuilt in Dizak province. The ICRC also provides necessary furniture, medical equipment and medicines to the facilities it restores.     

President Ghoukasian met with Armenian Prime Minster

Yerevan, January 30.  President Arkady Ghoukasian met with the Prime Minister of Armenia Andranik Margarian and discussed the implementation of the cooperation agreement signed between the governments of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.  The program of cooperation for the year 2002 was also discussed. 

Foreign Minister Melkumian Meets with Members of War Veterans Union

ICRC Representative Presents Program for 2002 

Stepanakert, January 30.  Foreign Minster Naira Melkumian received the Head of the Representation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Nagorno Karabagh Christopher Mehley.  Mehley briefed Melkumian on the ICRC's activity in Nagorno Karabagh planned for the year 2002.  He stressed the continuation of the mine awareness education program for children, which last year contributed to elimination of mine-related casualties among children in Nagorno Karabagh.  Melkumian expressed gratitude to the ICRC for its activity in the NKR. 

Stepanakert, January 9.  Foreign Minister Naira Melkumian met with representatives of the Nagorno Karabagh War Veterans Union.  Melkumian briefed the veterans on the current stage of NK conflict negotiations and the diplomatic activity directed at the international recognition of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic.  According to Melkumian, the case of Nagorno Karabagh's independence is flawless as far as the international law is concerned, since Nagorno Karabagh legally complied with all necessary Soviet laws on secession, which were then in force. 

NKR Government Regulates Radio Frequencies   

Stepanakert, January 29.  The Cabinet of Ministers adopted procedures regulating the use and distribution of radio frequencies, as well as purchase, import, and use of high frequency radio equipment.  Stressing the importance of reforms in the communications sphere, Prime Minster Danielian noted that the government would encourage investments in order to provide reliable telecommunication with the outside world.     

OSCE Mission Conducts a Routine Monitoring of the Contact Line in Varanda Province of Nagorno Karabagh

Varanda Province, January 10.  The OSCE representatives conducted a routine monitoring of the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabagh and Azerbaijan in the southeastern part of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic.  Personal Representative of the OSCE

Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk headed the mission from the direction of the NKR Defense Army.   The mission comprised Field Assistants to the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-In-Office Zbignew Fech (Great Britain) and Yevgeny Sharov (Ukraine) as well as the

OSCE High Level Planning Group Representative Lt. Col. Liviu Lengulesku (Romania).  The monitoring went without incident and according to the prearranged schedule.  Representatives of NKR Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense accompanied the OSCE monitoring mission.

NKR Department of Statistics Announces Population Growth

Stepanakert, January 29.  Nagorno Karabagh State Department for Statistics announced that last year the population of Nagorno Karabagh Republic grew by two percent and reached 144.3 thousand people.

Stepanakert, January 19.  The "Sirun Optic" organization reported that it can now diagnose patients thanks to newly-donated equipment.  The organization was

established by Armenian-American benefactor Varuzhan Kiureghian under the umbrella of the Armenian Relief Society (USA).  The organization cuts a

wide variety of eyeglass lenses and each month distributes 30 pairs of eyeglasses to the needy free of charge.