Artsakh  Newsletter

VOLUME 5, No. 1

BRIEFLY...

region with greater instability, often use the war as a pretext to strengthen their dictatorial grip on power.
Economic development, energy transportation routes, and peace and stability in the strategic South Caucasus heavily depend on shared values and friendship among neighbors in the region, including de facto immediate neighbors Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh.
Hopefully, with U.S. encouragement, commitment to true democracy and respect for human rights will be our common guideposts along this road.

VARDAN BARSEGHIAN
Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States
Washington

NKR Population Grows

Stepanakert, January 14.  The State Statistic Service reported that the Nagorno Karabakh population increased by 1,623 people reaching a total of 145,298. 

NKR Parliament Adopts 2003 Budget

Stepanakert, January 16.  The National Assembly adopted several bills including "On 2003 Government Health Programs", "On 2003 Government Program of Small and Medium-size Businesses" and "On Amendments to the NKR Law on Mandatory Social Insurance Payments."  The parliament also adopted the 2003 state budget, according to which the expenditures will make up $20.8 million USD, while revenues are expected at $4.6 million USD.  The Armenian government will issue intergovernmental loans to cover the budget deficit of $16.2 million USD.     

Throughout the months of December and January President Arkady Ghoukasian held a series of meetings with major political parties.  On December 19 President Arkady Ghoukasian received members of the Artsakh Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun party's Central Committee, as well as representatives of the party's parliament faction and regional branches.  Ghoukasian voiced his satisfaction with the cooperation between ARF Dashnaktsutyun and the authorities stressing that his administration is always ready for a constructive dialogue with all political parties in Nagorno Karabakh.  Echoing Ghoukasian's remarks, the representative of the party's Central Committee Vahan Badasian stressed the importance of an enhanced dialogue on economic issues.  He said that the party sees agricultural development as the basis for Karabakh's economic growth.   

On December 20 President Ghoukasian met with the representatives of the governing body, parliament faction and regional offices of the Democratic Artsakh Union (ZhAM).  Ghoukasian stressed the important role the organization plays in promoting the dialogue between government and society, contributing to an atmosphere of trust among various political and public organizations.  He underscored the need to continue on the course of democratization and establishment of the rule of law in Nagorno Karabakh.  Representatives of ZhAM expressed their support for the policy of reforms initiated by Ghukasian's administration and pledged assistance in tackling political, economic and social problems.  They also discussed the possibility of establishing a presidential commission on human rights. 
  On January 11 President Ghoukasian met with

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Prime Minister Danielian Reported 2002 Results to the NKR Parliament

Stepanakert, January 8.  Prime Minister Anoushavan Danielian reported the results of his cabinet's work in 2002 to the National Assembly.  He said that economic reforms, begun in 1999, were successful and will be continued.  Further reforms and structural changes are envisioned in the sphere of taxation.  The tax code will be further simplified while the privatization of government-owned enterprises will continue.  Danielian also said that several mini hydroelectric power plants will be constructed on fast flowing rivers to further develop the energy sector. 

National Assembly Speaker Yesayan Met with His Armenian Counterpart

Porto, December 6.  Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian praised the U.S., French and Russian Co-Chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group for their "flexibility and wisdom in pushing forward the settlement of the Karabakh conflict."  Addressing the participants of the 10th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held in Porto, Portugal, Oskanian criticized official Baku for its continuing war rhetoric and lack of cooperation with international mediators.  "The [OSCE Minsk Group] mediators have not recieved any help from Azerbaijan, which scandalously rejects all initiatives of international organizations… Today, our neighbor makes aggressive and bellicose

Hovhannes Gevorgian Appointed New NKR Representative in France

Stepanakert, December 30.  President Arkady Ghoukasian signed a decree relieving Artak Harutyunian of his duties as the NKR Representative in France.  By another decree Ghoukasian appointed Hovhannes Gevorgian to that position.